Latest releases reviewed

THE HUMAN LEAGUE
Live at The Dome Secret Films
***

As some indication of how Human League songs have endured, consider that Garbage's Shirley Manson and shock horror goth Marilyn Manson have just recorded a duet of Don't You Want Me. There was always something a bit Kraftwerk-meets-the-pop charts about the band - they did have their roots in that experimental Sheffield electronica scene. But there was more to them than that stupid haircut and their big hit single; standouts here include Mirror Man and Fascination. This is taken from a show in Brighton at the end of their 2003 comeback tour and they still sound great. Extras include behind the scenes stuff and a band interview.

Brian Boyd

BLONDIE
The Curse of Blondie Silverline
*

Welcome to a new music format: Dualdisc, the combination on one disc of an album and a DVD. On the top side is the music, on the flip is the DVD. The hybrid format was first introduced to the US market last October and the European launch took place several weeks ago. Blondie's 2003 album is one of the Euro titles, and while it's got some decent songs, you have to wonder how exactly this format is going to generate enough excitement for any music fan to shell out money for the extras. What do they get? Well, apart from the 5.1 surround sound, there is one video (for Good Boys), a lyric sheet and photos. Hardly the most exciting additions, although future titles (which include releases from The Mavericks, Gary Moore, Todd Rundgren and The Church) will, presumably, be enhanced with more enticing content. They'd better be - this is a very poor start.

Tony Clayton-Lea