This column reviews albums & singles released worldwide (i.e. not in a particular country). If your company wants an album reviewed on these pages, then you should read this. If you are in an unsigned band & you'd like your demo tape or CD reviewed, you should go here instead.

With a voice like U2's Bono, Mav, an Australian artist based in Victoria has released a very good 4 track ep which will no doubt attract the attention of a good many music fans, both in the mainstream & 'alternative' styles, as there's definitely a crossover which would fit well in just about any listening format.

The ep is billed as a 'Triple A Side' & indeed features 3 very strong tracks, from the opener "Amelia", which is a very interesting song, to the more vibed "Velvet", which really has it's hooks into you immediately, plus the equally strong "Slides Away", which is a slower feel altogether. This is a very strong offering & deserves your attention.

For more information, write to Global Savile, 14 Welwyn Ave, Brighton East, 3187, Australia or mavmetropolis@hotmail.com

MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE - GATES OF DELIRIUM

I came across this gothic style duo's music when their label forwarded one of their albums to me for review & here's the band's latest CD, another slice of gothic atmosphere on this album, which sprawls across 21 tracks, the majority of which are proper pieces of music, the remaining 3 or 4 pieces more of an interlude between 'acts' if you like.

As I've mentioned in passing before, the gothic atmosphere I refer to on Midnight Syndicate releases is more in the true early horror movie style music & each of the tracks here would most certainly be right at home in any Dracula film.

Of particular interest are the real mood pieces like the interlude of "Infestation", though musically speaking, tracks like "Haverghast Asylum" & closing number "Sleep Tight" are certainly some of the more impressive moments here. If you like your music with mood, then this is certainly right in that field.

For more information, write to Entity Productions, 7100 Rushmore Way, Concord, Ohio 44077, USA or info@midnightsyndicate.com

OUT OF ORDER - (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

The latest compilation from UK label 25 Records, again sports some superb bands along with their equally impressive music. Sporting bands from many different countries, Out Of Order sure showcases some amazing talent & there are quite a few different styles here too.

One of the styles that stands out the most comes from dub band Parkstone Dub Foundation, with their inclusion "Alcohol", which is a very good track, with great production. Across the rest of the album, there are tracks form bands like Osmosis, whose more guitar oriented music some may already be familiar with, plus a great track from a Swedish pop outfit called The Trimatics, whose guitar oriented pop number "Simple Morning" will find a whole stack of new fans.

The good tracks just keep on coming along the 20 track length of this compilation, from bands such as the very impressive Sandy Shores, who sound just a little like UK outfit James, as well as others like The Shoplifting Angels, Riser, Deansgate & one of my favourites here, "Down To The Sea" from The Visitors. All up, there's a hell of a lot to discover here & those who like discovering new sounds should look carefully.

For more information, write to 25 Records, PO Box 3006, Poole, BH12 2HU, England or info@25records.com

ROSANNE RANERI - PARHELION

Sporting an amazing voice & an equally amazing talent for songwriting & general performance, Rosanne Raneri's album Parhelion is most certainly something a little special, with some truly wonderful moments across it's 11 song length.

Hardly a moment to be missed here, with the vocals & simple acoustic guitar backing reminding me of all the references which have been made to her music by many others, including most notably Joni Mitchell & I can also see a strong resemblance to the music of Joan Armatrading.

Rosanne's music however, stands on it's own here, with genuine highlights such as my favourite, "So Does The Sea", which is a magical moment, as is the epic closing number "This Last Time", though some of the more simple song arrangements such as "Not Quite Philadelphia" & "Open House" are also well worth a listen. If you like music with a strong voice leading the way, then this album is certainly well suited listening.

For more information, write to Memory Red Records, PO Box 62, Troy, NY 12182, USA

RUFUS MANEUVERS - ONE CLEAR MOMENT

Coming out of the US in New York state, Rufus Maneuvers have a very interesting album that's most certainly going to grab it's place in the sun for anyone who hears it. With 5 members, there are songs which have complex arrangements & some that are just as simply put together, all ted by the same effusive energy.

As a debut album, this is certainly impressive & does feature some interesting highlights, the pick of which for me is the exceptional "Room Upstairs", which pulls a different feel to much of the album & there's less of a pop feel here, such as on both "Welcome To The Outside" or "Hopeless Romantic". With an already growing fanbase, I expect to be hearing much more of this band in the near future.

For more information, write to PO Box 85, Kenmore, NY 14217, USA or music@rufusmaneuvers.com

7TH TRIANGLE - DIAMOND BAR

This is such an easy going & enjoyable album to sit & listen to that you'll almost feel like you're sitting down to dinner with your favourite friends or family members, the feeling is so familiar on all the songs here, starting out with the opening track, which is the title number.

Vocalist Jason Peri has a voice which really reminds me of the early days of Neil Young & the band as a whole seem to have a really tight knit performance that each member knows where the other is headed, somehow divined by some sort of instinct.

There are a lot of gems here, but some of the more pronounced highlights for me were "The World Of What If", that title track, "Home Again" & "No Reason", but pretty much anything here could have been mentioned. If you like your music ready to get stuck straight in & enjoy, then you've certainly struck gold here.

For more information, write to New Hat Records, PO Box 4812, Diamond Bar, CA 91765, USA or info@newhatrecords.com

THE STARS OF AVIATION - THE GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT EP

Certainly a misnomer that title, the music here being far from a disappointment & in fact it's quite the opposite, grabbing you with little difficulty & washing over you in it's at times simply constructed moods, while at others encouraging you to get up & have a good listen to what's coming out of the speakers.

In particular, the second track in "Greatest Disappointment Of The Year" appears at first to be a very stark piece of work, but it slowly becomes an involving piece of music with it's instrumentation, whereas at the other extreme, "The Boy Who Held His Breath Too Long" is a brilliant piece of guitar driven pop, complete with catchy chorus, that reminded me a little of Irish trio Ash. Certainly a band to watch & one whose debut album should really showcase a band whose evolution is complete.

For more information, write to Grandpa Records, 30 Forest Way, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5HB, England or grandparecords@hotmail.com or info@starsofaviation.co.uk

STEVE ANGEL - HOLLYWOOD

Out of Canada comes Steve Angel with his debut album Hollywood, a release that would rather indicate a fair history than a debut & it's little surprise that Steve isn't exactly new to the music scene, already playing with a number of bands.

This album is the end result of his decision to go into his own solo career & to that end, it's a remarkable collection of songs running along the fronges of folk pop, though that's a rather hazy description at best, with the music itself opening up much more than that might indicate.

Probably the biggest highlight here is Steve's voice, which suits the songs incredibly well & it's tracks like "Leave Me Standin'", "I Could Cry" & "Wonderland" which really set the sound off here. There's apparently a whole stack of new material, so we can only guess where Steve's next work will take him.

For more information, write to 198 Speers Point Rd, Suite 16, Oakville, ON, Canada L6K 2E9 or info@steveangel.com

THUNDEREGG - THE ENVELOPE PUSHES BACK

With a great packaging idea, Thunderegg is one of those projects which come along once in a while, with simple songs & the odd gem which can really grab you when you first hear them. The production here is pretty good too, the whole album only slightly missing on a couple of occasions here.

By & large though, I liked the whole album, with the peak being reached just about at the end of the album, on "Keep It With You", which really gets hold of you, with a simple acoustic base being the driving force as on most of the songs.

Another genuine highlight comes on "The Second Coffer", as well as "Pardon Your French" & the very quirky but likeable "If I Went On A Diet". Some very interesting stuff happening here, so if you like your music fresh, check it out - you'll love the packaging, trust me.

For more information, write to Orange Entropy Records, PO Box 1314, Burbank, CA 91507, USA or info@orangeentropy.com

THE WES HOLLYWOOD SHOW - THE GIRLS ARE NEVER ENDING

A simply superb album full of great guitar pop, running along the lines of a cross perhaps between Elvis Costello, who the band themselves mention, & Weezer. The tunes here are excellent, catchy numbers that really have you wanting to sing along with each & every track that turns up.

While the first 2 songs are excellent, it's "Nehi-Crush" that really made me want to hear a lot more of the album & I'm very pleased I took the time, as there are so many highlights, such as "Little Miracle", "Miss Modern" & "Goodtime Girl:, all of which have a high quality pop feel, great vocals & an equally impressive instrumental backing. Well worth checking out this, the band's second album. One can only wonder where the 3rd will take them.

For more information, write to Robb Entertainment, 4148 N Lawndale, Chicago, IL 60618, USA or wesisking@aol.com