The Beautiful South: Painting It Red (Mercury)

Tired and emotional following the successful Quench album, which spawned such hits as Perfect 10 and How Long's A Tear Take To Dry, Paul Heaton hid himself away in Sardinia to recharge his batteries. With no less than 19 songs on this new album, it looks like Heaton is revved up again: good news for radio playlist people, not such good news for those of us who have tired of The Beautiful South's clever-clever, middle-of-the-road sound. Still, there are some striking songs on this new collection, particularly Closer Than Most, Just Checkin, Baby Please Go, 10,000 Feet, and A Little Piece Of Advice. Heaton & Co have a knack for taking a familiar-sounding melody and fusing it with some smart, sardonic words and smooth, jazzy arrangements. But hey! Where are the drinking songs?

Kevin Courtney

Various: Bugged Out (Virgin)

When it comes to twisted disco grooves, Bugged Out has been a club in a class of its own, from its scruffy beginnings in Manchester right through to its current alternative superclub status. Here, Justin Robertson and Felix Da Housecat present their soundtracks for a Bugged Out night to remember. Both selections are perfectly paced - Robertson heads for the funky techno side of the street, while Da Housecat goes for deep, fierce fare. The momentum is superb, each DJ knowing when and where to let off another firecracker. As for the tracks, many will be familiar in sound if not in name, although classics like Green Velvet's Flash, Galaxica's Red Eyes and Paul Johnson's Everybody Must Party will revive pangs of great nights out.

Jim Carroll