Kevin Courtney's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

DARK ROOM NOTES Dead Start Program ***

From the Dublin band behind fab single Love Like Nicotinecomes a four-song EP showcasing their blend of grungy guitars and squalling synths. Singer Ronan Gaughan sounds a bit like Brendan Murphy from The 4 of Us (not a bad thing) and the synths are sometimes laid on a bit thick (not a good thing). Still, Slow Puncture goes the distance. Hear all four on www.myspace. com/darkroomnotesireland

ORSON Ain't No Party Mercury **

They have a neat line in catchy tunes, but the LA band are getting a bit too smug, and they reckon there ain't no party like an Orson party. Fine if you like dancing to Huey Lewis & the News, but I think I'll crash someone else's bash.

GOLDSPOT Friday Fontana ***

Friday I'm in love - with myself. Here's a narcissistic cure for the Monday morning blues from the LA band's album, Tally of the Yes Men. Every weekend should start with a great big orchestral intro.

ALISON MOYET One More Time Universal **

The big-voiced former Yazoo singer is making a comeback bid, and what better way to do it than with a big, windswept ballad that sounds like something David Bowie would have done around his Station to Stationperiod. You don't have to be a big girl's blouse to like this, but it helps.

JENNY LINDFORS Voodoo www.jennylindfors.com ****

If Zep are looking for a young Sandy Denny to join them on Battle of Evermore at their reunion gig, they should check out this Dublin girl with the classic folk trill in her voice. Voodooshould get the lady a whole lotta love. Catch her at Crawdaddy, Dublin on Wednesday.

THE MACCABEES Toothpaste Kisses Fiction ***

Kate Nash uses mouthwash, but Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks plainly prefers it straight from the tube. The Clapham commoners come on like a cheekier Coldplay, but you'll warm to their obvious charms.