Latest releases reviewed

THE CARDIGANS
I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer
Universal
***

Rowing in with their longest song title yet, Nina Persson and her Cardies are back to reclaim their Greatest Swedish Band crown. "I'm a pitbull, you're a dog," growls Nina with lascivious menace. OK, I'll be nice.

STARSAILOR
In the Crossfire
EMI
***

Not a song about being locked in the studio with Phil Spector, but another epic indie tune from James Walsh and his 'Sailor boys, from their new album, On the Outside. Sadly, Phil was detained, so they got a non-crazy producer in for this one.

DEPECHE MODE
Precious
Mute
***

With a chiming synth riff and echoes of Enjoy the Silence, the Mode are back. They've got Doves and Blur producer Ben Hillier in for the new album, Playing the Angel; no danger of Depeche ever having to do the '80s revival circuit.

RACHEL STEVENS
I Said Never Again (But Here We Are)
19 Records
**

Goldfrapp does a glammed-up electro-disco stomper, so Rachel has to do one too. There's bound to be a catfight if the two ever meet up on Top of the Pops. This tune features on Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, and Rachel even has a bit part in it.

MONO BAND
Run Wild
Gohan Recordings
***

Noel Hogan's side project has now had more good reviews than The Cranberries have ever gotten. This one features singer Alexandra Hemende, a driving guitar riff and an eerie, wailing theremin sound.

PAUL WELLER
Come On/Let's Go
V2
**

Weller's going back to his Jam roots, with a strumming son of That's Entertainment. He's even reprised his wide-boy mod vocal style, but it all seems a little more slow and creaky than of yore. At least he's still up for a rumble.

MATT LUNSON
Thirty One
www.mattlunson.com
**

Here's a low-key lament from the Tasmanian ex-pat, all about the horrors of hitting your 30s and being lonely, drunk and "closer to dying". For Pete's sake, man, don't you realise that 30 is the new 18? Put that guitar away and get on yer surf- board!