Beak> is the new project from Geoff Barrow (of course the architect behind Portishead), who is joined by Billy Fuller and Matt Williams. Now, I’m not a schizophrenic person, but this album has driven me into such areas.

Codeine Velvet Club is a side-project of Fratellis lead singer Jon Fratelli (real name John Lawler). He has teamed up with accomplished chanteuse Lou Hickey to create this quirkily retro album of the same name while on a break from his main job.

Against All Odds is the second outing from Camden-based N-Dubz, the moniker of three South London school-friends. Following on from the somewhat unexpected success of their first album Uncle B, the trio have switched record labels, taken a strongly bouncy route, and released the new LP.

I have to admit, I’m struggling with this one. The thing I’m struggling with most isn’t whether or not I like it. Well, actually it is; because I’m not sure how I feel about it, I don’t know how to write about it. It’s all very emotional, this reviewing lark.

There is no shame whatsoever in just writing great rock music. They’re capable of it, so why they don’t just get on and do it is entirely beyond me.

Do you ever get sick of the endless pouting and posturing from the skinny-jeans mob every time you frequent your local indie disco? Well, step into the world of Little Red for thirty minutes and you'll be delivered to a simpler time.

It sounds exactly as you’d expect a Dame Shirley Bassey album to sound.

Sometimes you hear something which truly redefines your thoughts on the genre; something utterly enrapturing which leaves you agape at the brilliance that just spewed out of your Hitachi two-piece; something captivating to the senses, like a shuddering orgasm from start to finish, leaving you drained but beyond happy. This is not one of those times.

Higher Than The Stars is the second EP release from the Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and it’s really rather good. Their first EP, released in 2007, attracted rave reviews – the Pains were the band being name-dropped in the blogosphere.

After the initial laughs disappeared when I saw this group’s choice of band name, I thought I’d give it a go. Usually, the title of an artist gives absolutely nothing away as to how something will sound - though you can probably argue Napalm Death aren’t going soundtrack a circus when it comes to town.