Sub Sub With Bernard Sumner
This Time I'm Not Wrong
(Robs Records)

You see, Sub Sub are on Rob Grotton's label. He just happens to be New Order's manager and, now that Sub Sub are drowning in the mire of one hit wonderdom, Bernard Sumner has just popped up on their new single. Guess what? It sounds just like New Order. Well, New Order without the Monaco bit. Actually, New Order if they were a really average indie band. All the danciness of 'Ain't no love (Ain't no use)' has disappeared in favour of some four square indie nonsense. It should do quite well.

Arnold
Twist
(Creation)

Yeah! Average indie rock! That's what we want. To be fair this isn't that average, for a debut single, and they do show a bit of promise. They've stolen a nice bit from labelmates Teenage Fanclub and are trying to be as epic as Embrasis and nearly make it, but not quite. Actually, they are a bit like Embrace in the way that their slower numbers are far better than their guitar driven 'singles' and the two other tracks on this single hint at something more to Arnold than meets the eye.

Dream City Film Club
If I Die / Love Insane EP
(Beggars Banquet)

I listened to this on Saturday and got really depressed. Maybe it was the way the singer (Michael Sheehy) sings "You are so beautiful' in a way that sounds like Chris Isaak. Possibly it's the way that there are four slow songs about the fragile beauty of love, it's inevitable end; through death, or worse, and it's hopeless irrationality. I don't know, there's something here that appeals to the hopeless romantic in me. The idea of laying yourself utterly open to the whims of another person seems such a stupidly symbolic thing to do that you've just got to admire it. Anyway, enough of that. This is a great EP for the more melancholic of you out there.

Teenage Fanclub
I Don't Want Control Of You
(Creation)

They do Teenage Fanclub better than Arnold at any rate. Okay, so it's very much like the rest of the Teenage Fanclub oevre but that's not such a bad thing. Could you imagine Teenage Fanclub doing drum and bass? No, maybe techno? Not that either. So, let them do there Big Star thing and when you've just fallen in love / split up / had a bit of an argument then you know that they'll be there to soothe your worries.

Faith No More
Last Cup Of Sorrow
(Slash / London)

These days Faith No More are seriously slick bastards. Their music is as admired as ever in some quarters but they never meant shit to me. I like the interviews and the polemic but I find the music far too 'obvious' heavy rock for my liking. However, if you liked 'Angel Dust' then you'll like this. If you didn't you probably won't.

Bowery Electric
Vertigo
(Beggars Banquet)

Bowery Electric's album 'Beat' was a wonderful mixture of ambient textures, hip hop rhythms and post rock sympathies. This double CD single has the original version of 'Fear Of Flying' and then eight remixes of other Bowery Electric tracks. My first reaction is "single my arse, this is a bloody album" but after that confusion I relish the prospect of hearing people muck around with the original. The good thing is that they haven't just rounded up the usual suspects to do the remixes but a bunch like Witchman, Third Eye Foundation and Main plus a load of other people I've never heard of. Do buy it as it's great and do go to Retroactive Baggage's album pages in a few weeks for a more detailed review.

Echo & The Bunnymen
I Want To Be There When You Come
(London)

Of course, they should have spelt it 'cum' and got Dream City Film Club to do some sordid soundtrack for a night in Soho. However, they didn't and we are left with average Bunnymen fare. The main track really is very average but the B sides are slightly more engaging. However, I really don't see what all the fuss is about.

Breaker
Strangelove
(Coalition)

Having the title of a song that is the same as a name of a band once is a mistake. Twice and you're being downright stupid. The second track by this mediocre guitar band is called 'Underworld'. Duh! Anyway, their take on guitar driven spiky pop is okay if you're a particular fan of guitar driven spiky pop.

Dubstar
Girlfriend
(Food)

Some people go head over the heels for Dubstar with their electronic chic but me. Well, I just go to sleep. I do have to apologise to Sarah and the lads but everything they've done has just gone straight over my head. This stands out for it's overt 'pop'ness but apart from that it's business as usual.

Dust Junkies
Living In The Pocket Of A Drug Queen
(Polydor)

The Fun Lovin' Criminals mix is fucking great. The whole thing is bloody great compared with most of the singles on this page. It's laid back, slightly sordid and has a touch of serious class. The Dust Junkies are definitely going to be one to watch and for a start you could do with getting down to your local record store to pick this up.

Tanya Donelly
Pretty Deep
(4AD)

Her voice is still very special. I was a bit disappointed when I heard this the first time but since then it's grown on me. The two extra tracks are brilliant and considering both Sleeper and Echobelly are just about to release poor female fronted guitar pop singles this is a nice reminder of how it really should be done. Also, 'Star' is still one of the best albums ever, so there. Oh and the difference between Tanya Donelly and Belly? The name, of course.