SINGLES - Kinesis: Everything Destroys Itself (Out Monday, Crystal Songs)

TEENAGERS point the finger back at their accusers all the time, some just do it louder, like these for lads from Bolton. Bordering on punk, there is a Rage Against the Machine feel to this attack on the injustices of the Western world.

Against a backdrop of racism, corruption, exploitation, etc, the things young people are accused of fade into insignificance, we hear. All in all, not a bad head-banging number.

Dot Allison: Strung Out (Out Monday, Mantra)

DOT Allison's fantastic voice shone through in her so-so April single, Substance. She's back, sounding even better, and this upbeat song is also a big improvement. Instead of the electro-funk feel, we have an almost meditative pop track.

, and while the lyrics are almost indecipherable, she sounds incredible, a bit like the Louises (Mrs Redknapp, and her namesake from Sleeper).

Doves: Pounding (Out now, Heavenly Recordings)

WITH a Number one album and a top three single, Doves are soaring. The latest offering from The Last Broadcast has that unmistakable Doves feel that took There goes the fear up the charts. And there's no reason this won't follow - it is another excellent song from a band who are on top of their game.

Doves follow their storming set at Manchester's Move Festival with V2002 on August 17/18.

HHHH

McAlmont & Butler: Falling (Out now, Chrysalis)

THOUGH they sound more like a brand of cigarettes, this dynamic duo proved they could more than hold their own with their 1995 hit Yes. Here we have a soulful Phil Spector-type of arrangement with a 50s/60s feel, very much like the his smash hit, Be My Baby.

So, there's quality here, but we've been listening to this kind of music for almost 50 years, so it's nothing new, and not likely to trouble Will or Gareth too much.

DANIEL BEDINGFIELD

JAMES DEAN (I WANNA KNOW)

Out Monday, Polydor

WITH a number one debut single earlier in the year, Daniel has certainly got through this, and there's plenty more to come.

The "I've gotta get thru this" type of hook here is "I wanna know", which is equally catchy as his distinct voice carries us through well-thought-out lyrics, rather than a few words endlessly repeated over a thumping club track.

There's no reason this shouldn't follow its predecessor to the top of the charts.

Not bad for someone who wrote and recorded the entire album in his bedroom. It's better than a lot of people manage in the studio.

The album Gotta get thru this is out on August 19.

ALBUMS

ELLIS ISLAND SOUND

ELLIS ISLAND SOUND

Out Monday, Heavenly Recordings

READERS of this column will know that I'm not a fan of instrumentals - I struggle to go the distance when one is added as a bonus track to a CD single.

No surprise then that an album of 11 of them didn't do it for me. I wasn't quite reaching for the Jack Daniels and paracetamol- in fact, parts of it were quite soothing - but I'd rather watch Dulux dry.

It wasn't all EXACTLY the same, but if you can't stand football, it doesn't matter if it's Man United playing, or Accrington Stanley, you still don't like it.

BETH ORTON

DAYBREAKER

Out now, Heavenly Recordings

SOME might think I was less than kind about Beth Orton's latest single, Concrete sky.

I've had another listen and, despite afterglow from a week in Corfu, it doesn't sound any better.

The good news is that's the only dud on what is otherwise a very good album.

With an overall Dido feel, we are guided through a range of styles, from the sexy saxophones of Anywhere, which sounds like Gareth (or is it Will's?) Light my fire cover, to the Chemical Brothers input to Daybreaker, the track of the album.

I think we'll let Beth have Concrete sky as her loosener and leave it at that.

THE CHARLATANS

LIVE IT LIKE YOU LOVE IT

Out now, Universal/Island

THERE'S a saying that the best bands sound even better live and the proof is in the pudding here, folks.

Recorded at the Manchester Evening News Arena in December, here are 14 examples of the boys at their best.

One to another is one of my favourite Charlatan tracks, and the hairs on my neck stood on end as the unmistakable piano intro began and I knew what was coming.

Likewise, The only one I know takes it to another level.

If live tracks ever took off as singles, these would certainly be up there among the best.

The Coral: The Coral (Out now, Deltasonic)

I HAD been looking forward to hearing The Coral's debut album since the Skeleton Key EP back in April. I know they say the more you build something up, the less impressive it is. And this really isn't any good at all. And, to make matters worse, they've re-recorded Skeleton Key and Shadows Fall, and ruined what were the good tracks.