Uncut

A concept album of sorts, the second solo release from the Mekons founder and Chicago-expat charts the rise and demise of honky-tonker Lofty Deeds as a metaphor for US history. Like all things Langford, though, it's not heavy-handed or portentous, the music rollicking like a midnight special braced against the hard wind of his uniquely British delivery.

Brooklynite Jon DeRosa's outfit are deceptive. At face value, PHAR offer little more than a sad shuffle, the odd cracked waltz and scattered flurries of noise. But give it time and these trampled-heart melodies burrow under the skin. Last year's Uncut-endorsed These Are The New Good Times was DeRosa's stoned-slacker take on slo-mo country mores, but here he broadens the palette with the addition of Low collaborator Marc Gartman as co-songwriter and ex-Mercury Rev pedal-steeler Gerald Menke.

Concussive debut album from New York avant-rockers

First album from London duo offering "fantasy pop version of post-punk"

Delicious debut album for rainy days and Mondays

Eighth LP from north country boys, recorded in 10 days

First new album since '96's Guitar Man

Norwegian acoustic duo return, while their singer exercises his right to party

Canadian eclectics find new directions from '80s pop and recent avant-dance

Oddly disappointing offering from ex-Mercury Music prize-winner