The latest CD releases reviewed

KARINE POLWART
Daisy Spit & Polish ***

Not since the days of Fairport Convention have we witnessed such a massive folk revival. This is from the Scots singer's acclaimed Scribbled in Chalk album; haven't these folkies heard of biros yet?

GWEN STEFANI
The Sweet Escape featuring AkonInterscope **

She didn't have much success with her yodelling song, so she's gotten Akon do to some yoo-hoos instead. Gwen's trying to do a 1960s girl group thing here, but somehow it sounds like early Kylie.

TRACY THORN
It's All True Virgin ***

The better half of Everything But the Girl has been missing for a while, but now she's back with more smooth, sophisticated 1990s dance pop. What? No Todd Terry remix?

DECLAN DE BARRA
Throw Your Arms Around Me Rogue Goat ***

Somewhere between Declan O'Rourke and Antony Hegarty sits this Waterford-based singer-songwriter, wielding a big, bearlike voice and trying to throw his arms around the world with this passionate ballad.

THE HORRORS
Gloves Loog **

Like Arthur Brown without the fire, this 'orrible lot have turned out to be a bit of a damp squib, unable to scare up much interest in their 1960s schlock rock. Perhaps they should ask the devil for some better tunes.

ALL SAINTS
Chick Fit Parlophone ***

Typical. Take That reform and go straight to No 1, but when these fit chicks get back together with a pretty decent raggamuffin pop tune, no one takes a blind bit of notice. As soon as they start fighting again, though, we'll be all ears.

DELORENTOS
Basis of Everything Cottage Records (download only) ****

"You are the basis of everything" - pick-up line of the week comes from this Dublin band, but will they still say that in the morning, eh? This is part Director, part Immediate, but all cool.