Latest releases reviewed

FRANZ FERDINAND
This Fffire/Darts of Pleasure Domino
***

The big success story of 2004 round off the year with this download-only release for their many loyal Irish and UK fans. It's a fine stomper and far superior to their last proper single, the camp disco inferno of Michael.

GWEN STEFANI
What U Waiting 4 Interscope
***

Gwennie leaves her No Doubts behind, and sets out to prove she's not just another pop girl. She may have gone solo, but she's bringing the spirit of Annie Lennox, Dale Bozzio and Toni Basil along with her.

NELLY & CHRISTINA AGUILERA
Tilt Ya Head BackUniversal
****

He's got the sample from Curtis Mayfield's Superfly; he's got Xtina breathing heavy; and he's got a suggestive song title - how can Nelly lose? This is off Sweat, and it suits him nicely.

HANSON
Underneath Acoustic EP Cookin' Vinyl
*

Yes, you read right: it's that band of brothers who had a big hit with Mmm Bop way back when. They're older, their voices have broken, but wow, they sound just as girly as ever. In case you missed their Dublin show last Tuesday, here are some live cuts from the recent US tour.

SHANIA TWAIN WITH MARK MCGRATH
Party for Two Mercury
*

The queen of country pop is having a party, and she's invited the guy from a band called Sugar Ray. Apparently, there's gonna be all sorts of sex and stuff, but this is about as raunchy as Kylie and Jason doing a Bryan Adams cover.

THE DEVLINS
Someday Rubyworks
***

Ireland's finest purveyors of rootsy, chilled-out pop always keep it sparse, smooth and admirably subtle. This is off their new album, Waves, and though it harbours such lyrics as "someday you'll find your place in time", it still floats confidently along.

THE THRILLS
Not for All the Love in the World Virgin
***

They've bottled bohemia and sold it to the world, and now the Blackrock boys are top of the Irish rockpile. Here's their dreamy homage to Burt Bacharach, complete with soaring string arrangements and their usual instant hummability quotient.