ALBUM: THE BOBBY MCGEE’S
L’Appropiation Bourgoisie De La Bobby McGee’s (Cherryade)
We still can’t do better than The Bobby McGee’s’ own description of themselves as like “domestic violence with ukuleles”. Twee songs about being shy or frustrated, their simple anti-folk ditties move so quickly that this debut album should take many listens before it gives up much of the humour in the lyrics. Seven years of great live gig behind them means this is more polished than you might expect, but that works well over the 15 songs. (JK)

ALBUM: CARNIVAL COLLECTIVE Freak Rocket (Concorde2 Recordings)
We bet this is a fun rider for gig promoters to cater for – between thirty and fifty members of this particular collective have been known to grace the stage at their shows, tending towards the festival over the Freebutt for obvious practical reasons. And a festival is exactly what this is, a troupe of drummers backing a soca-soaked south coast sound. Latin American in feel but most certainly Brighton in attitude, the album was recorded at, and by, Concorde2 ¬- perfectly summing up the joyous celebration of the collective’s live shows. (NC)

SINGLE: FINK Sort Of Revolution (Ninja Tune)
Last month’s cover star releases a convincing argument to glue the album of the same name into your CD player from summer. So full of gentle sunshine, the dub bassline creeps up on you as the track twists from folk to reggae so subtly you barely notice. A Sideshow version from the live band’s alter-ego is pure Jamaica, while the Cinematic Orchestra mix strips things down to just pretty emotion. Lovely. (JK)

SINGLE: FREELAND Do You (Marine Parade)
Adam Freeland wanted this to sound like Led Zeppelin making electronic music. It’s not far off, although it owes a greater debt to Fischerspooner’s Emerge than anything else. The drums, from the cock-sure Tommy Lee, are ace – loose and big – and really make this sparse mid tempo monster. There’s a mid nineties Todd Edwards-ness to the vocals, but we’re digging 2 step cut ups at the moment. A win. (JK)

ALBUM: THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND New Hopes, New Demonstrations (Epitaph)
There are just not enough words. If you can show us one thing wrong with this record we will show you a thousand that are perfect. TGOAT remind us of a small child slobbering on a new toy -¬ does it taste good? Yes. Do we want to eat it and savour its delicacy, or do we want to destroy it? Screw it, we’ll do both. We’re now going to review this record. Sneakers on speakers, balls to the wall, fist pumping, axe grinding, gun slinging, alcohol-fuelled brutality. A natural progression from their debut which serves up the same hardcore riffage refined like a Martini – buy it or die. (AP)

ALBUM: IMPLOSION QUINTET The Future Sound Of Yesterday (Cookshop)
Like the soundtrack to an Eastern European art house movie about mental dissolve, this is an uneasy ride, but an eminently intriguing one nonetheless. Traversing a vast array of musical styles from experimental electronica to dirty rock riffing, its overarching umbrella is cinematic drama, a widescreen sonic enema for the mind. It’s not an album for summer barbecues, but musician James Baker has produced a vital work that’s part Barry Adamson, part In Rainbows and the part of your mind that makes you commit evil acts. We’re taking this one home. (NC)

SINGLE: MISS PAIN Shelf-Location ROM (www.misspan.co.uk)
We always knew that Miss Pain had it in them but Shelf-Location ROM’s pop is more polished than the band’s past. The arch-cleverness has taken a backseat to great melodies, a sing along chorus and tight riffing. Anyone looking for electronic craziness are well served by the 8-bit computer style bleepery of MC Fashion’s Kiss Cuddle Torture, the original of which is also chaotic fun. (JK)

SINGLE: SUPER U What News From Cornwall? (Sack The Juggler)
We’re not really woodwind experts here at SOURCE, but what sounds like a jaunty flautist elevates the title track of this three song set from highly agreeable indie pop to something altogether more interesting. Super U have been knocking about for a while, but a recent influx of new blood has lifted the band from the echelons of indistinction and created a one-to-watch aura for this release. The other two songs back up the promise of potential – this is idyllic summer pop with hints of Belle & Sebastian that you’re going to hear more about. (NC)

ALBUM: VARIOUS Shapes 09:01 (Tru Thoughts)
You just simply can’t go wrong with the Shapes compilations. For just a handful of pound coins you can walk out of the record shop with 29 diverse jazz-tipped, soulful, hip hop-beated tracks split into two packed CDs – one for DJs, the other for more restrained home listening. On the latter Belleruche get breathy and Stonephace get psychedelic and noodly. Party kids meanwhile will lap up Hint’s jolly dubstep and TM Juke and Jack Baker’s bouncy techno take on Mr Vegas’ Heads High. Plenty of surprises. (JK)

SINGLE: X NATION Sophine by The Law / Cloud Fairy (Repertoire)
First official release from new local independent label Repertoire, sees Sophine’s producer The Law hark back to jungle’s glory days of the mid 90s with classic amen breaks, warm liquid intellect and stabbing symbols, which is quite refreshing during a time so full of 80s synths and womping basslines. The AA side Cloud Fairy demonstrates a deeper side with X-Nation utilizing old skool female vocals for another nostalgic flashback to jungle’s heyday. Definitely a label to watch for all jungle drummers and amen enthusiasts. (ZC)