Uncut

Solo LP from CSNY's Englishman

Madonna-delayed follow-up to nouveau-synth landmark

Second envelope-expanding album from roots-based US singer-songwriter

Brand new outing from legendary underground songwriter, producer, talent diviner and LA scenester

Third and best from Paris-based Swedes

Poll-winning singer-songwriter in his native Ireland, Rice is about to crack America

Funky bedroom-recorded "diary" covers a gamut of musical styles

NY's latest show daring diversity

Cork's Simple Kid is making a virtue out of being in the middle of the road, that easy-listening, glam-rock neighbourhood that often produces uplifting music. And this Kid knows his stuff. Kicking off with a tribute to David Essex à la "Rock On" for opener "Hello", he then ventures into Bowie meets Lieutenant Pigeon territory on "Staring At The Sun" and turns up a Ween-standard ditty for "Drugs". Most albums that spin around the pop-about-pop axis can fall short and wane, but SK1 retains interest. It's exciting, sassy and funny. T.

NY's nerdiest are smarter than The Strokes