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.

Nearly a year on from the last release the band sent for review & this one is just as amazing as that one was, this 2 track arriving in format on, of all things, vinyl, which is a real pleasure to check out these days. The sound has evolved little, but that certainly doesn't matter, as they're just about perfect the way they are.

The A-side here is a wonderful brooding piece that reminds me a lot of The Dirty Three with vocals & vocalist Karen Vogt should be justly proud of her performance here. The B-side is just as stunning, called "Cabo De Gata" & it's here that the band really get stuck in, with a more 'vibey' feel & an insistent guitar strumming with very little in the way of vocals, but what's there really sits you back & makes you want to listen very carefully. No other word to describe it - wonderful.

For more information, write to Steady Can Records, PO Box 72, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia or heligoland@hotmail.com

HONEY BARBARA - I-10 & W AVE

Despite the very unusual title, there's nothing the least bit odd about this great album, from US based outfit Honey Barbara, whose music reminds me of a cross between The Beatles & Eels, which is not a bad thing at all. The album arrived in outstanding packaging, so different from anything else I've come across before, with a large booklet about the record company, the band & also a nicely presented big cardboard sleeve.

The opening track "Famous Animal" is easily referenced to a few bands such as Eels & R.E.M., while others such as "All Fall Down", "Invisible" & "Sleep Late" all just are reminiscent of some of the old Beatles sounds. Pick for me is a toss up between both "Solid Returns" & "How Bright The Sky", but anything here will hold your interest.

For more information, write to Emigre Inc, 4475 D St, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA or jhsidlo@aol.com

JEAN-PIERRE SACCOMANI - MUSIC FOR TIME

Having heard quite a bit of the Tales albums, which feature the work of Jean-Luc H Berthelot, I was intrigued to see that he's been involved with this project, but only in a limited capacity in regards to mastering, whereas this is the solo project for Jean-Pierre Saccomani.

As with Tales, this is an entirely instrumental affair, the sound just having a little feel of light classical, combined with some electronic sounds. Probably the pick is the epic closer "Nostalgia", but the title track is also of interest. For those interested in instrumental music, there's some good stuff here.

For more information, write to jean-pierre.saccomani@wanadoo.fr

RENTBOY - CLOCKTOWER

A Tasmanian band, which apparently started out as a solo act, later evolving into a 3 piece outfit & the sound reminds me of quite a few bands, though doesn't really sound like any particular one of them. It's an interesting album, featuring 13 tracks, sometimes grabbing electronic sounds but mostly pulling the sounds including a healthy helping of guitar out into the main mix.

The first couple of tracks took a bit of effort to get into, but the 3rd track in, "Coo" really has a fascinating melody to it that really is addictive & will interest many, as will a few odd tracks along the way, including "Stadium" & "Fresh". Definitely an appeal there & it's great to see a Tasmanian band aspiring to be something more than an ordinary pop outfit - there's too few interesting acts out of that state as it is.

For more information, write to Consumer Productions, GPO Box 2118, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia or caffeinedog@yahoo.com or benthec@yahoo.com