CHIKINKI: Lick Your Ticket (Island)

THEY rock, they're electro and they are certainly different. Chikini blend '70s glam, a touch of psychedelia and a modern hedonistic approach to their songs -- and can write catchy melodies along the way. Imagine Kraftwerk joining forces with The Darkness and you're getting there. Definitely one to file under the interesting category. JA

BADLY DRAWN BOY: One Plus One is One (Twisted Nerve)

CHORLEY'S woolly-hatted wonder Damon Gough has reverted to familiar territory with this, his latest release. His last album, Have You Fed The Fish, was very much a lush LA production number. One Plus One has a more back-to-basics approach, with simple guitar and piano backing and Gough's plaintive voice producing a very personal album. You sense that Gough's confidence in his abilities as a songwriter is growing all the time and this won't disappoint his fans. JA

BEASTIE BOYS: To The 5 Boroughs (EMI)

THE band that wrecked a thousand VWs are back. For 20 years they've been mixing rap and hip hop and this, the first album they've produced themselves, is a fresh as when they first burst on to the scene. With the obligatory "parental guidance" sticker on the cover, you get an album with some great hook lines and energy. JA

THE ORDINARY BOYS: Over the Counter Culture (b-unique)

THE three-minute pop song is alive and well. This is the Jam album the Jam never released. It has Smiths tracks the Smiths never recorded and Clash numbers the Clash never wrote. If this makes the Ordinary Boys sound like sad '80s rip-off merchants, it shouldn't. It's a great album --full of life, energy and fun. JA