Album

Startlingly different double-CD debut from precocious teen songsmith

Respectful, if bitty, retrospective, laying out the boogie man's career by linking archive performances with comments from the likes of Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt and Hooker himself. It could have done with more of the early years, and less of what Nick Cave once called "unfortunate guitar work from Carlos Santana."

Two-CD compilation of '80s coulda-beens

In many ways, A Certain Ratio were the bridge between Manchester's punk and house scenes. Originally signed to Factory, they had early support slots with Talking Heads (1979) and seminal New York funksters ESG (1980), helping shape the label's electronic dance ethos alongside New Order (albeit without the same commercial success). Despite reaching only No 53 in the album charts, 1982's Sextet received ecstatic reviews for its taut, abrasive swagger—an uncompromising blend of percussive NY dance-funk, avant jazz and African, Latin and Brazilian influences.

As with the first Raimi Spidey film, the music of choice is heavy-to-middling emo rock. Why so? Why not something more web-like and spindly and pretty with lacy filigree? Guess it must've market-tested well first time round or we wouldn't again be subjected to plodding power-sludge from the likes (and boy are they ever alike) of Hoobastank, Maroon 5, Lostprophets and Jet, the last of whom so desperately want to be The Faces that it can only be days before they pen a lyric that goes: "You're breaking my heart 'cos you're stealing my tart".

Songs of alienation and madness from reclusive Chicago genius

Bubblegum pop from Joey Santiago

Achingly beautiful no-fi neo-folk from Iceland

Six volumes of highlights from the Sunday night US television show that was the MTV of its day

Double album retrospective from Kidderminster's favourite blues band