Guillemots - Trains To Brazil (Fantastic Plastic CD single)

Innocent mistake but I actually assumed this to be the comeback single of Aztec Camera when I first heard it. How stupid is that. OK, first the positives: a truly gorgeous record. Imagine this lot at some festival next summer in the pouring sun. What a prospect. More than that, 'My Chosen One' is one of the few moving songs I've heard in this year of contortion and counterblast. And after about twenty years of searching Fantastic Plastic have a band capable of delivering hit records. Now, the negatives: if they're this commercial now on no budget just think how bland they're gonna be when the money comes in. We're not talking Prefab Sprout bland, we're talking Deacon Blue bland. This time next year they'll be doing charity singles with Jamie Cullam. Shiver. Oh, I'm such a cynic - can ever enjoy the moment.

Semifinalists - Show The Way (Regal Bear 7")

I expect Semifinalists are too young to realise the pressure they've put themselves under. After you queried the price of the single with the store manager, after you've removed the 'Semifinalists' sash, unpicked the elaborate origami-style sleeve, and finally got that slab of translucent vinyl under the needle, your only thoughts are: this better bloody well be worth it! Yeah, but ain't that the risk you take when you're buying records you ain't even heard? You might well ask. Well, I only go by word-of-mouth these days. Buy in haste, repent in leisure. It's either that or fall into the hands of the loveable eBay mob. Anyway, the Semifinalists are OK. 'Your Heart' is good in a Go-Betweens kinda way - surprisingly twee actually and that's not a word I've used since 1995. 'Show The Way' is restrained yet powerful at the same time, like, er, like a regal bear say, starting out so quiet and timid in order to permit a grizzly guitar to rip through its heart. Regal Bear? Who thinks up these label names? Probably the boss of the silent partners (V2?) who pulls the strings, I guess.

Two Gallants - Las Cruces Jail (Saddle Creek 7")

For a moment you think you've stumbled into a spaghetti western. The wind whistles through a deserted frontier town, a grizzled bandit spits at the ground and calls you 'Gringo.' Hey, gringo, you sleep with my sister you pay tax to me. I don't know where Las Cruces is but it could be that place they duke it out at the end of The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. It turns out, you might feel, as you listen to this guitar and drum two-piece that Las Cruces Jail ain't that different from the hotel across the road, goes by the name of Yorba. Unfair? Possibly. But, hey, it's still a great single.

Cribs - You're Gonna Lose Us (Wichita 7")

The Cribs defy logic. They should have faded away politely years ago, what with their naff record sleeves and Playpeople haircuts. Yet they're still around and, amazingly, getting stronger and stronger with every release. I suppose being on Wichita helps. They've been given the time to develop their naïve though beguiling early style in to this full-frontal assault. This is called 'You're Gonna Lose Us' though it's more commonly known as the asshole song. It is, I guess, great pop music that sorts the wheat from the whatsit, and The Cribs have got that knack. For as long as they don't take themselves too seriously I think they'll be around. They're a good time band and everyone wants good times. Yeah?

Kelley Stoltz - Discount City (Cass 7")

'I guess she likes me, you know, cos I'm sort of an artsy guy.' On this evidence Stoltz has the dry observance of a young Lou Reed, the swing and swagger of an early Beck, and maybe just a hint of Stevie Wonder funkiness circa Superstitious. Not to get carried away of course - it's nifty rather than fabulous. Discount City it comes across like one of those dystopian urban free-for-alls from some modern shoot'em and rob'em video game, or maybe a scene from Pulp Fiction. The b-side is a tribute to the Detroit Tigers who, I presume, won the World Series of 1984. Imagine if you dare Sister Ray stripped of its erotic narrative and replaced with eulogising baseball commentary. Sheer brilliance.

Cathode - Chronophobia (Distraction 7")

I've always had a soft spot for Cathode although I wouldn't for a second pretend I understand them. 'Chronophobia' is by far their most commercial offering, replacing the pure logic circuit-scape of earlier work with this trip-hoppy Radio-friendly number that actually, deep breath, includes vocals. If they had a fanbase it would surely scream sell-out at this point but they're so obscure I'd be surprised if even their partners and parents have heard of them. Although the superb b-side, 'Economic Growth' from the film RND#4 (which I think I missed when it was down at Kingswood Plexiplex), reassures us their heart still remains in the abstract tone-pulse of the single-cell lifeform.

The Late Greats - Bang Bang (Izumi 7")

There's a hungry heart beating here, urgency in the jogging beat, the effective back and forth between the two vocalists. One sounds like a young Liam Gallagher, the other a kind of American-Irish hybrid. This is good, honest stuff and improves with every listen. Copies come with a four-page comic depicting the band re-energising a zombified music scene. Fair enough.

www.izumirecords.com

White Rose Movement - Alsatian (Independiente 7")

While this is undeniably a strong record I hope White Rose Movement are a one-off and not a sign of things to come. The pomposity of it is almost suffocating, even the sleeve is insouciant. Give me The Rakes, The Arctic Monkeys, Bromheads Jacket any day. Groups that 'say something to me about my life' - er, or as it might have been were I ten years younger, or possibly twenty. As opposed to this meaningless drivel (alright, I take that back: meaningful drivel.) I'm naturally suspicious of any group who uses the word 'requiem.' If this lot get any bigger then Half Man Half Biscuit will have some more material to work with. One for the Goths.