REVIEWS:

Entropy -- Into The Void

One thing you can't accuse Entropy of is copying current trends. The band -- Bury lads Glenn Alexander and Jay Smith -- are into darkwave electro metal, something you're unlikely to find much of in the charts.

Because of that and because the songwriting is actually pretty good I like this album, especially a couple of songs, namely Animal Wild and the slightly bizarre but pretty brilliant Alice Gets Her Kicks In Wonderland. The latter contains the excellent lyric: "It's nice to see she's giving me, her undivided mockery".

At times it sounds like Queen at other times like nothing I've heard before. Very original and good stuff. Anyone after a copy of the CD can contact the singer Glenn by e-mail at glenn@glenn53.fsnet.co.uk

The band plays a gig at the Star and Garter in Manchester this Monday, December 17. Worth going to.

No Doubt -- Rock Steady

Surprisingly okay album from that peroxide blonde lass and her band.

She's called Gwen Stefani and they had a number one hit a few years back, called Don't Stop, I think.

Since then they've been relatively famous but not the type of band you'd ever get worked up about.

This is probably their best album yet, helped by the production of Mark 'Spike' Stent, the man behind the last Oasis album though that's nowt to brag about.

It varies from traditional guitar rock music, to Jamaican ska and reggae and a bit of dance.

It's okay to put on while you're having a foot massage or making egg fondue but it never really completely draws you in.

An average band producing their best album -- but their best is still worse than most.

The Best Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones and Friends Album In The World -- Ever (Volumes One and Two)

Huge album title for a huge compilation.

When this record arrived at the office all the elder members of staff went crazy and tried to pinch it off me.

It is, you see, very much their era; perfect for anyone who doesn't know how to work a video recorder or thinks DVDs are insect repellent.

Being a young cool cat, it shouldn't be my cup of tea.

However, determined to prove I had culture (but mainly to spite them), I took it home with me to listen to.

Aside from some of the really slow boring ones (like anything by Matt Monroe) this is a decent album with some great songs like Aretha Franklin's I Say A Little Prayer, Nina Simone's My Baby Just Cares For Me, The Walker Brothers' The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore and Son Of A Preacher Man from Dusty Springfield.

Dean Martin's King Of The Road is perhaps my favourite.

Five CDs in two volumes, released in time for Christmas and on the back of Robbie Williams Swing When You're Winning success.

Will it sell well? Does Geri Halliwell diet?

SINGLES

Starsailor -- Lullaby

Perfect Christmas anthem from the Chorley lads and guaranteed a good showing in the charts. A nice enough song and probably the most commercial thing on the album.

The CD includes Starsailor's first ever decent B-side in the acoustic From A Whisper To A Scream. Good live version of the excellent Tie Up My Hands as well.

Matchbox 20 -- Last beautiful Girl

Straightforward American style rock with verse-bridge-then catchy chorus.

No surprises anywhere along its three minutes. It's not a bad song, middle of the road and pleasant, but nothing to write home about.

Samantha Mumba -- Lately

The international pop star (as she's now known) sounding spookily like All Saints singing Never Ever.

This is a kind of slushy soulful ballad, just about good enough to stop it from being ridiculed.

The lyrics go: "Lately, been thinking about you lately".

It's not rocket science but there's worse out there.

Michael Jackson -- Cry

Written by R Kelly. And you can tell.

After all this is a man who wrote the truly atrocious I Believe I Can Fly, a song so bad it left us all hoping he'd test his theory and jump off a very tall building.

Wacko Jacko must have liked it though as he's got Mr Kelly to write this for him.

Called Cry it certainly makes you want to do that.

"All we have to do is reach for the truth" sings Michael . . . or the 'off' button on the CD player.