Yes, I know. It's been far too long since the last batch of singles. I should be flogged. Well instead I'll just flog these singles instead, hmmm? First baby out of the bag is the wonderful Sneaker Pimps with Spin Spin Sugar. This single version is shorter and more upbeat than the album one (which is also included) and while is piece of electro-indie I can't help feeling there could be better singles culled from Becoming X (like Tesko Suicide or Low Place Like Home for starters) .

Robbie Williams, yes he of Take That infamy has brought us Lazy Days a fine slab in Suede/Bowie vein of slow bluiding soaring anthems. Other tracks are pretty good too.

Caleb

Dust Junkies - Living in the Pocket of a Drug Queen Polydor

Space Monkeys - Sugarcane Factory Too

A passable rap/indie/metal tune which may have been more bearable were the singer not straining his haemorrhoids while half singing/half rapping the chorus. The Fun Lovin’ Criminals slows it down and really shows what a bit of added class can do. Instrumental ‘Born II Die’ shows more promise, starting out all Daft Punkesque then settling into a lazy hip-trip-hop vibe. - Chris Butler

Fab new Manchester band The Space Monkeys release their third single on Tony Wilson's re-formed Factory label (Factory Too). It's a nice laid back hip hop number, denouncing the pleasures of junk and dope, apparantly. Big baggy chorus and a guest rap by a geezer called Shine. The four b-sides put the song through a variety of blenders with techno, jungle and Shine vocal mixes and manage to shape the song into different forms while keeping the attitude and feel intact. Nice. Still better things are on their amazing debut album The Daddy of Them All. - Caleb

Dust Junkies 'Non Stop Operation'  
Dust Junkies certainly make their presence felt in this rather strapping robust release. Non Stop Operation is a veritable kick up the arse. The band manage quite comforably to take on board funk, rap and metal sensibilities without sounding cheap or daft (say like 'Sugar Ray for instance). As the ep progresses though, it lends itself to a more dance orientation, culminating in the now regulation 'chunky beat mix' (yet it is, I must admit, pulled of with finess). All in all, well worth the effort. (***�)

Super 8 'Lately'
Decent, foot tapping worthy, indie angst is generously served up in Super 8's latest effort 'Lately'. It's not going to redefine an era or anything, it's just sound, solid indie pop. It receive's a stout thumbs up. (****)

Addict 'Dust' V2
Not much of a cheery number this latest Addict offering. In fact its a release that's overloaded with self indulgent despondency, culminating in the lament laden chorus 'it hurts like I've never been hurt before, feels like I,ll never smile again'. Oh dear. The two additional tracks on this release are not likely to result in a conga either, they follow a similar forlorn sense of direction. On the whole though, this single is a pretty sound effort, even if it does sound a little like it came from the Bush cutting room floor.(***)

Finley Quaye '3:41 Sunday Shining'
With Sunday Shining, Finley Quaye have added enough zest and hedonistic spirit to the old Bob Marley melody to disipitate the most indelible of frowns on the gloomiest of countenances. The title track, chunky in percusion, laidback in vocal delivery and highly tuneful in the guitar, bass and woodwind department, posses an unavoidable air of intoxication. We are informed throughout that 'it makes you want to move your dancing feet', and with a tune like this, coupled with three splendid remixes, how could we do otherwise? (****�)

Reef 'Consideration'
With Consideration we are taken to the all too familiar terrain of the 'rock ballad'. The strings are out, the drums pensioner paced, the vocals strained and impassioned and a finale that gets all epic. We've experienced it many times, the formula being 'as old as the hills' basically. Yet, don't get me wrong, consideration is a very accomplished piece of music, albeit a little redundant. Nevertheless, if this is your thing, Consideration is veritable top shelf fare. (***�)