I'm a little surprised to find that I love the new Slash album - it's chock full of rock cliche and just brilliant with it.

So I've been rather preoccupied with a newborn for the last month.  He's now a little more settled, and I'm now a little less emotional thanks in no small part to Don McLean; the soundtrack to most mornings.  Baby loves American Pie, but Vincent still does it for me.

Long awaited (by me at least) solo album by the Idlewild guitarist.  It's beautifully folksy, with hints of Simon and Garfunkel and some lovely vocal harmonies (always one of his strengths).  The lyrics are a little lacking, but there are definitely some pretty tunes, including a very entertaining cover of Rhythm is a Dancer!  Wonderful is for me the early highlight...  Well worth the wait.

They were right - it's a winner!  I wasn't expecting Tom McRae's new album to be this good - I assumed all the complaining and bitterness would only leave a bad taste, but it seems despite the bad attitude, McRae still has the gift.  All the best bits of his debut album are here, albeit with less cello.  'Please' is an upbeat cracker whose refrain of 'I don't care no more' would have at one point resonated very deeply with me, but these days I can love it, just for being a fabulous song.  Speaking of those, there are many of them on this album - do explore if you get the chance... Seven years of hurricanes indeed.

A fragile yet uplifting debut demo showing great promise.  Think Damien Rice, think Tom McRae... think this guy has a big future ahead of him.

Looking forward to checking out more from this band - they sound a bit Idlewild, with a hint of Springsteen!  This is a bounce-along little track with a compelling bass line.  Not sure I'm enjoying the 'cancer' / 'answer' rhyme though!

A bit punky, a bit synthy, a bit mid-nineties, a bit good!

Am really enjoying the new Hot Chip record; I could have chosen one of several tracks as a highlight.  This one however is a pleasing mix of Editors darkness and positive uplifting sweetness - an early contender for the favourite albums of the year list.

Twee and catchy, with a little whistling thing which I'm not sure yet is annoying or rather cute...

I was going to say there seems to be elements of Muse and Bloc Party here, but I forgot for a moment that DM were actually there first!  A nice upbeat return to form. 

A few years old now, but currently making waves on the French charts... More a rediscovery than a new one, but none the less welcome...

Lovely acoustic version of this track, much better without all the hiphop posturing!

I love that every album is a reinvention, and every single is a departure.  You never know where you are or where you're being taken, only that it's great, every time!

Breathy 'oo's, catchy chorus and lots of shoegazing space... very appealing!

I like the clean edit, but have just discovered the profanity-littered original: 'Do I care? Do I fuck; I'm on a roll' Love it!

Everything I hoped this would be (and some English language!) from Sigur Ros frontman's solo album; deliciously post-winter - if only the weather would catch on...

Just love the line 'I'm obsessed with the mess that's America'... Not that I am, but it's a great pop song!

Catchy, sing-along tune, if a little grammatically incorrect.

One of the highlights from the new album.

Blondie-tastic!

Sweet little song from the new Canon advert.