Hotel Shampoo, Turnstile Records ***

When it comes to album concept, Gruff Rhys's imagination knows no bounds (see Neon Neon), but you have to wonder where he can go with miniature shampoos. In fact, the Super Furry Animals frontman's third solo endeavour is specifically inspired by memories of his collection of tiny toiletries. Peaking with the crackly 1970s pop groove of Shark Ridden Waters, Christopher Columbus'sfuzz-swaddled bleepfest, and a quite lovely loungey duet with El Perro Del Mar (Space Dust 2), Hotel Shampoois a solid effort that bubbles and squeaks in all the right places. Yet for those hoping for that solid wall-to-wall brilliance we've come to expect from Rhys, its occasional explosions of colourful foam aren't quite robust enough to hold water alongside his back catalogue. See gruffrhys.com

Download tracks:Christopher Columbus, Shark Ridden Waters