The latest releases reviewed.

KAISER CHIEFS  Ruby B-Unique ***

No more la-la-las on the Leeds band's new album, Yours Truly, Angry Mob, so we hear, but plenty of shiny happy tunes like this one, guaranteed to rule the mob.

BADLY DRAWN BOY A Journey from A to B EMI ***

Ok, let's take this one stage at a time. We get to B, then maybe stop for a fag and a cup of tea before setting out for C. Damon Gough may be taking it handy here, but at least he's not slacking on the quality control.

NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB The Bomb Modular ***

Now blowing up at an indie nu-rave disco near you, this does exactly what it says on the outer casing, exploding in a wired-up tangle of atomic beats.

BIG GENERATOR One Minute Rag Records **

The Portumna hair metal covers band have been sending them home sweatin' on the ballroom circuit for centuries, but just to prove they're with it, here's an original, interweb-only release that recaptures that 1980s feeling.

FIONN REGAN Be Good or Be Gone Heffa ****

Yes, he looks a bit like a hobbit, but Fionn is a towering wizard of nu-folk, and he plays the acoustic guitar with elvish grace. And he doesn't have hairy feet.

HAM SANDWICH Click, Click . . . Boom! Rou Records **

I know what you're thinking: how come no one else thought of calling their band Ham Sand-wich? Singer Podge provides the sliced pan, but Niamh's vocals are the real meat here.

SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR Catch You Fascination **

Sophie's in the driving seat on this accelerated pop tune that goes back to her indie roots. "Ain't no engine fast enough," she warns. What, she's presenting Top Gear now?

EOIN COUGHLAN Cutting Down Laws feat Damien Dempsey Dock Road Records ***

A live favourite from the Limerick-based singer-songwriter, with a little heavyweight help from Dempsey. Don't call Eoin a tree-hugger, though, or you might feel Damo's bark.