Victoria Williams: "Musings Of A Creek Dipper" (Atlantic)

"This record has some very beautiful parts to it, I think. And it deals with a lot of issues: Death. Life. And everything in-between." Victoria Williams ain't foolin'. This is a remarkable record, no less than her previous offerings the most recent of which was 1994's Loose. Williams is a singular voice, both literally and as a songwriter, if a little hippy dippy. Her influences are as many as they are varied, but all are filtered through the distinctive, off-centre Williams voice and vision, creating music that is never less than interesting. She distils the sounds of Americana into an idiosyncratic blend of sweet melodies and strange thoughts. That said, this is a record which champions life, as befits a woman who has suffered a serious illness. Husband Gary Olson, late of the Jayhawks, provides vocal and emotional backup for an oddball artist who cries out to be cherished.

Joe Breen

Billy Bragg And Wilco: "Mermaid Avenue" (Elektra)

The Bard from Barking may seem an unlikely candidate to interpret the political folk tales of America's first singer-songwriter, and Bragg's cockney tones may seem unsuited to Guthrie's gritty, dustblown visions. However, on songs such as Walt Whitman's Niece, Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key and The Unwelcome Guest, Bragg proves himself worthy of the Guthrie legacy, stepping confidently into Woody's worn-out worker's boots, and delivering each tune with gentle-voiced respect. Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett of US country-rockers Wilco put their own spin on songs such as California Stars, Christ For President and At My Window Sad And Lonely, while Natalie Merchant chirps in nicely on Birds And Ships.

Kevin Courtney

Bran Van 3000: "Glee" (EMI)

Led by Jamie "Bran Man" Di Salvio, BV3 are a wild, psychedelic hip-hop, rock and soul collective, and Glee is a happyhanded mix of dense beats, off-the-wall samples, garage guitars, laid-back raps and languid r & b vocals. Di Salvio has gathered together a posse of Montreal's musical misfits, coming up with a mad swirl of sounds and a twisted, tripped-out style of hip-hop. The first single, Drinking In L.A., is whacked-out soul tune featuring the vocals of Stephane Moraille, and songs such as Forest, Afrodiziak and Supermodel walk a thin line between the sublime and the chaotic. Weird moments include a trip-hop take on Slade's Cum On Feel The Noize and a dope country closer, Mama Don't Smoke.

Kevin Courtney