Latest releases reviewed

THE WHITE STRIPES
Jolene Xl
**

Yes, that's Jack Black down on his knees begging Jolene not to take his man. From their upcoming live DVD, The White Stripes Under Blackpool Lights, this is a wild, frenzied cover of the Dolly Parton classic - Jolene would want to be a cold-hearted woman not to listen.

JAMIE CULLUM
Everlasting Love Universal
**

From the soundtrack of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, here's the junior crooner putting his own swing on the '60s classic by The Love Affair (U2 also covered it). This will make all the singletons feel warm and cuddly in their woolly Rudolph jumpers.

JOJO
Baby It's You ft Bow Wow Mercury
**

This 13-year-old is destined to be the next Britney, just as soon as she's grown out of her training bra. I don't know where the record companies are finding these kids, but the creepy image of A&R men hanging around outside schoolyards with sweets and chequebooks comes to mind.

PAUL WELLER
Thinking of You V2
**

From his covers album, Studio 150, this is the Modfather's take on the Sister Sledge classic, done in his usual tasteful, soulful style. Guys doing girl singers - it's the new disco craze, baby.

STATUS QUO
Thinking of You Universal
*

Same name, different song. You wouldn't catch Francis Rossi doing girly disco covers - this an old-fashioned Quo rocker from their umpteenth best of collection, XS All Areas. Sometimes too much thinking can be bad for you.

DELERIUM FT SARAH MCLACHLAN
Silence 2004 Nettwerk
**

A big club anthem is like a plastic Christmas tree: you can take it out every year, dust it off, and just put a fresh layer of tinsel on it. This classic choon is remixed by Above & Beyond and Filterheadz, so that should keep it going for another couple of seasons.

THE REAL
Touch of Gold Real
**

Rock stars covering girly songs, and now rock stars singing like girls. What next - rock stars looking like girls? This Waterford band have cleverly recruited former Primal Scream singer Denise Johnson to beef up Billy Lynch's high-register vocals. Hey, it worked for Bobby Gillespie.