Latest releases reviewed

PLANTLIFE Luv Me (Till It Hurts) Easy League ***

Owww! It's a funky caribbean disco party round here, and it sounds like Prince, James Brown, Santana and George Clinton are all here - in soul spirit, anyway. Hurts so good, mama.

COLDPLAY Fix You Parlophone ****

Here's the big tearjerker off the new album, X+Y, complete with Let It Be-type Hammond and swelling climax. It's said to be about Chris Martin's recently deceased father-in-law, Bruce Paltrow, and should get sensitive types blubbering like Gwyneth at the Oscars.

PEDESTRIANHelp Yourself www.pedestrianinfo.com **

Hmm, tempting fate with that band name, aren't they? These guys want to make driving rock, and there's the basis of a decent powerpop trio here, but the tunes make even Hanson sound hard. Some serious turbo-charging needed.

DOVES Sky Starts Falling Heavenly  ****

Off the excellent Some Cities album, here's a dirty, unpolished indie anthem that pounds its way down the mean streets of Manchester. My sis reckons they sound like Tears for Fears; the cheek!

JOHN SPILLANE The Dunnes Stores Girl EMI **

"Hey, check out the Dunnes Stores girl." Geddit? Checkout? Johnny boy fancies the bird from St Bernard's, and he wants to walk down the aisle (and not the tinned food aisle) with her. Forget it, John - she'll probably run off with the stockboy from Spar.

TAMMIN Pointless Relationship Random *

The girl from Home and Away wants to follow Delta, Holly, Natalie and Kylie to stardom. Sounds like she got her vocal training by doing karaoke to old Sheena Easton hits. Totally pointless pop.

THE RASMUS No Fear Playground/Universal  ***

They've had one big hit with In the Shadows, but the Finnish rockers aren't done yet. Here's a catchy 'un that fuses U2, Bon Jovi and The Scorpions into one poptastic '80s anthem.