Primal Scream

THE future's looking beautiful for Primal Scream.

Bobby Gillespie and his ageing charges are back on form with their ninth studio album.

Beautiful Future resurrects some of the classic psychadelica of Screamadelica, mixing it up with their brasher electronica period.

Always the genre crunchers there's a hint of their Stones-influenced sound for good measure.

Their last big hit 'Country Girl' signalled Primal Scream were far from ready to bow out, but the rest of 'Riot City Blues' was patchy. This is a more complete album, but also not without its weaker moments.

However, the strength of several 'big' songs mean the lesser tracks are quickly forgotten.

'Beautiful Future', 'Can't Go Back', 'Beautiful Summer' and 'Glory of Love' are the pick of the bunch.

There's also some interesting collaborations - On 'I Love To Hurt (You Love To Be Hurt)' Bobby duets with Lovefoxxx from CSS, folk singer Linda Thompson joins the band for a cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Over And Over' and Josh Homme from Queens Of The Stone Age lends his axe to closing track 'Viva'. 8/10

Paul Heaton

WHETHER it's The Housemartins, The Beautiful South or Paul Heaton on his own it's hard to tell the difference.

On 'The Cross-Eyed Rambler', his second solo effort, Heaton produces the usual high quality pop which is expected of him.

It's safe as houses, though unlikely to get much further than the living room stereo. 6/10

The Hold Steady

"RAISE a toast to old Joe Strummer - I think he may have been our only decent teacher," sings Craig Finn on opening track 'Constructive Summer'.

Strummer has clearly taught The Hold Steady well. Finn is a post-punk preacherman, a modern day clone of Strummer and Springsteen, drawing on the 'positive' punk introduced to him by bands like Youth Of Today and 7 Seconds.

The Hold Steady are no spring chickens - all over 35 - but they seem to be making up for lost time with four excellent albums in four years.

Stay Positive is a celebration of everything this brilliant band have achieved to date. Essential tracks include 'Constructive Summer', 'Sequestered In Memphis', 'Stay Positive', 'Magazines', 'Joke About Jamaica' and 'Slapped Actress' - most of the album really. 9/10

The Deans

THERE'S no way these guys are the age they say they are.

Their sound is that of a group of musicians who have been playing together for 40 years, yet none of them have hit 20.

Even if you're not a fan of blues rock you have to appreciate the raw talent this trio from Athenry in County Galway exhibit.

One of the most accomplished debut albums in its genre you're ever likely to hear. 8/10

Reviews by Graeme Cousins

Albums from discs, Lurgan