Latest releases reviewed
THE ROLLING STONES Streets of Love/Rough Justice Virgin ***
Old habits die hard, and you can bet the Stones will die harder than the rest. This double A-side pairs a lovelorn ballad with a lusty rocker - one minute Mick is cryin' like a kitten, the next he's howlin' like a dirty old wolf.
KT TUNSTALL Suddenly I See Relentless ****
With her debut album, Eye to the Telescope, the Scots girl has the Mercury Music Prize in her sights. This exuberantly catchy pop jangler is a first cousin to The Magic Numbers' Forever Lost. Suddenly, we see why she's popular.
IAN BROWN All Ablaze Fiction ***
Iano's on fire these days, reviving Stone Roses songs onstage and bringing out his own greatest hits album in September. Now we just need the Roses reunion show and his perfect year will be complete.
OASIS The Importance of Being Idle Helter Skelter ****
The Gallagher brothers' resurrection continues apace. Here's Noel with the band's best tune since She's Electric - a jaunty, jangly tune all about the power of loaf. Idle drink to that.
KAISER CHIEFS I Predict a Riot B-Unique ***
You have to have one bunch of chancers in the Mercury Music Prize nominations, so who better than the KCs and their sunshine brand to subvert this beard-stroking beano? I predict an upset.
GIRLS ALOUD Long Hot Summer Polydor **
Like the slappers who show up at the nightclub every week, GA ain't planning to go away any time soon. They're out to show Charlotte Church how to be a real pop chavette with this Swinging Sixties-style number.
BLACK EYED PEAS Don't Lie A&M **
Would I lie to you? With a bunch of hits under their belts, it sounds like the Peas don't wanna phunk with the formula, so here's a safe, middle-of-the-hood tune about playin' fast and loose with the truth.
