Bonnie `Prince' Billy: "I See A Darkness" (Domino)

Not some reincarnated Caledonian monarch, but the latest pseudonym of Will Oldham, the face behind the ever-changing incarnations of Palace. Not only does Oldham see a darkness, he wants to lead the listener deep into it via sombre piano ballads such as A Minor Place, Another Day Full Of Dread and Black. These poignant, regret-tinged tunes don't follow the usual y'alternative trail, but strike out towards that hazy horizon on the edge of madness. Despite the downbeat atmosphere which permeates the album, there's a morbid sense of humour evident in Death For Everyone, and an undeniable beauty in tunes such as Knockturne and Raining In Darling.

By Kevin Courtney

Various Artists: "Music from and inspired by the motion picture "Practical Magic" (Warner Sunset/ Reprise)

The movie boasts Hollywood's hottest female stars, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock (see review in Vision), so it's appropriate that the soundtrack features major rock chanteuses, Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow. Nicks has written two new songs for the movie; If You Ever Did Believe is a tightly-trotting country-rock anthem, while Crystal displays Stevie's penchant for trailer-park mysticism. Faith Hill and Michelle Lewis contribute country-tinged tunes, while Joni Mitchell provides gravitas with the classic A Case Of You; add in hip-hop flavours and a handful of oldies, and you have a strange hotch-potch of a soundtrack.

By Kevin Courtney

Reverend Horton Heap: "Space Heater" (Interscope Records)

This is one of those I'll-try-something-new albums that creeps up, delivers a killer, chiller thrill to the back of your neck and makes you go "yes!" The Reverend Horton Heap are a three-piece, new wave, Texas rockabilly band with a leader, "Rev", who plays a `53 Retsch guitar that spits out tunes such as Pride of San Jacinta and Space Heater as if the guys were doing an audition for a Tarantino movie. Though you may know them best from their appearance on The Drew Carey Show, the "Rev's" influences range all the way from Perry Como to The Butthole Surfers. And it shows. The title Starlight Lounge says it all. These guys are "spacers" in the best possible sense. Shouldn't someone get them over here for a gig?

By Joe Jackson