Notebook Letters 7.

My opinion of phil spector paintballed between admiration and pity via awe during the Arena documentary Whatever the outcome of his trial, it's some legacy. Even if he doesn't half know it. Tony Vegas

The year's biggest fop has already happened. Queen's ghastly effort. They had a gifted singer with catchy tunes in abundance. Now it seems they have neither. One thing they never were is average. C-lebrity is. Peter Thomas

The Void; Teletext page 827; 28th of October, 2008; 5/7.

It isn't very rock & roll, but then nor am I. So, what lyrics do Voiders feel are the most moving? I adore America by Simon & Garfunkel for its line "'Kathy, I'm lost,' I said, though I knew she was sleeping." It's a timelessly beautiful song about feeling lost in yourself and your country. Rob Hunt

Can I suggest some Welsh bands that'd be huge if they sang in English? Gogs, Arnhefn, Sobin, Celt, Twll Tin and my fave, Maffia Mr Hughes. Gonc

The Void; Teletext page 827; 28th of October, 2008; 6/7.

Euros Childs/ Cheer Gone

Reviews by John Earls

Fourth solo album by the Prolific ex-Gorky's Zygotic Mynci singer, and the most traditionally singer-songwriter record so far.

Almost a continuation of his recent children's album, Childs keeps its superficially happy burbling, as if scoring an Oliver Postgate cartoon.

But it masks some atypically macabre lyrics to make for a coolly unsettling Wicker Man atmosphere. 7/10

1/6.

Peter Broderick/ Home 8/10

At just 21, Broderick has played banjo and musical saw for Etherklang and M Ward before this wonderful debut.

Like Beirut's Zach Condon, Broderick's voice is wise beyond his years, crooning like an ancient folklore spirit over sumptuously textured and widel-varied instrumentation.

His rich Cormac McCarthy-style lyrics are up to the task too. Whether or not he can progress, this is devastating.

2/6.

The Acorn/ Glory Hope

Nominated for Canada's equivalent of the Mercury Prize, this tells the story of singer Rolf Klausener's mother's journey from Honduras to Canada.

Easily enjoyed even without soaking up Klausener's parable writing, his pretty Banhart vocals and the similarly celebratory Americana instruments are quietly uplifting.

A little wispy at times, yet worth it for the euphoria. 7/10

3/6.

It Bites/ Tall Ships 5/10

Their first album since 1989, on a tiny scale this is like Queen reforming. The original singer and bassist are absent.

To continue this analogy, it's a dog's breakfast. You have to hope they reformed for the money, as the music is so bland, imagine The Chuckle Brothers making a prog album, that it surely can't be for musical innovation.

Grating, smug, be-cardiganed twitterings, you can smell the Ronseal.

4/6.

Slipstream/ Mantra

First album in five years by the ex-Spiritualized duo, who recently featured in Johnny Vegas sitcom Ideal.

It's hard to imagine Jason Pierce tolerating anything as cheesy as the gaudy background muzak of Maybe Next Time or It Is Said.

While the Human League attack of Burn Till You Die gets the right level of ironic detachment, the rest sounds like custard-pie synthpop. 5/10

5/6.

Mogwai/ Manchester Academy

There's terrific support from Errors and F*** Buttons, but Mogwai rule with a typically impressive performance.

New songs fit comfortably, there's a gorgeous Die Young, and Christmas Steps is still disturbing.

The highlight is a brutal encore, as Batcat sounds like a plane crashing, d*mn near reduces the venue to rubble, remining us that no one does "loud" with the same gleeful aplomb. 8/10

6/6.

Teletext page 824; 28th of October, 2008.

Girls Aloud/ Out of Control

Review by Kat Lister

The sashaying pop tarts aren't just a girlband, they're a girl brand. Six years on, they're still selling their lip-glossed formula by the make-up case-load.

With the single being the gold-tassled Supremes-hitter The Promise, you may assume the girls have opted for a familiar retro-vibe fifth time around.

But ease up on the backcomb. '60s swoon is just the tip of the stiletto.

1/6.

Girls Aloud/ Out of Control

As a whole, their latest outfit has moments of pop-smacking genius, muddled with an electro-synth teen-crush that produces their weakest tracks to date.

Collaborating with Pet Shop Boys on Loving Kind has swerved the band towards ice-cool '80s electro.

But that endorsed love affair soon seeps into Love Is Pain and Turn To Stone. The results zap the girls of any of their trademark sass.

2/6.

Girls Aloud/ Out of Control

On the other hand, the Prince-inspired s*x me up funkadelica of Fix Me Up got them right back on track.

Skiffle-shuffle swagger soon follows on Love Is The Key, quickly delving into dancehall rhythms of Revolution In The Head, before indulging in a brief drum & bass soiree on Live In The Country.

The brand remains sparkling, polished and lip-puckeringly intact. For now. 7/10

3/6.

Little Joy/ Little Joy

Reviews by John Earls

If Albert Hammond making fine power-pop was relatively predictable, Strokes drummer Fab Moretti doing sun-kissed LA harmonies is less obvious.

Yes, thanks to laconic singer Rodrigo Amarante and his teasing counterpart Binki Shapiro, the results sometimes match She & Him for summery longing.

The production could be tighter for such drowsy amorous relaxation, but the Mamas & Papas spirit prevails. 7/10

4/6.

Her Space Holiday/ XOXO Panda And The New Kd Revival

After a career as an underrated laptop singer, Marc Bianchi returns from a long break by turning into Beck.

Having specialised in hushed control, Bianchi goes to the other extreme, diving into jammed-out funk and handclapped hoedowns.

It threatens to fall apart at any moment, but Bianchi's old poise means it's a glorious plate-spinning exercise in letting his freedom run amok. 8/10

5/6.

Snow Patrol/ London Bloomsbury Theatre

An industry-based crowd means that automatic chers for the big hits don't happen. This is a good thing.

It spins Gary Lightbody into overdrive, telling ever more hilarious flights of fancy and the band to play harder, until finally Shut Your Eyes becomes a mass singalong two minutes before the end.

They play powerfully, and the new songs fit perfectly: notably a dual-drum tricksy rhythm for Planets Bend. 8/10

6/6.

Teletext page 824; 29th of October, 2008.

Oasis may be selling reasonably, but they're still the biggest artistic disappointment of the year. A band destroyed by their own influences. Noel Gallagher should leave music to the hungry and drive his Rolls Royce into the sunset. Or is it still in the swimming pool? Craig Hoare

C-Lebrity is cack, but the rest of the new Queen album is very much more than OK. I saw them in Glasgow recently. In a word: fantastic. Steve M

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of October, 2008; 1/7.

For moving lyrics, one that always chokes me up is the helpless surrender of sam cooke's "If yyou wanted to leave me and roam/ When you got back, I'd just say 'Welcome home'" from nothing can change this love. As does Tom Waits' "Why wasn't God watching?" in Georgia Lee and the whole of Maybe by The Chantels. Kevin Lee

Nice to see the interview with VV Brown. Crying Blood is a late entry for best single of 2008. Nick Parker

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of October, 2008; 2/7.

I agree with Neecy that those interested in REM's B-sides will already have rarities album Dead Letter Office. The live CD with the new Murmur is a more intriguing proposition, and makes me consider buying it. Daj

Earls: But the previous reissue had a stack of out-takes that weren't.
I own the Kaiser Chiefs "deluxe album" a Voider was unable to find. Don't bother. The free CD is just four live songs. Nice-looking book, I guess. Ta Da

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of October, 2008; 3/7.

I have two grumbles from Oasis' Electric Proms gig: Andy Bell played a four-string bass, when he could blow us all away with six. And, with all those magnificent voices on one stage with The Crouch End Choir, they let Liam do most of the singing. Sandy Cowan

I'm pleased to see a backlash against AC/DC starting on The Void. The schoolboy get-up is a gimmick to hide how their luddite rock is no more inventive than Status Quo. Jo Walsh

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of October, 2008; 4/7.

Nobody with any sense would, as Prince suggests we're doing, download Ohio Players' music illegally. The best thing is to scour second-hand record shops and buy the vinyl versions of their albums Pleasure, Pain, Ecstacy and Climax.

That way, even if you're not impressed with the fine quality of the music, the sleeve photos will provide some inspiration for things to do over the long winter nights. DJ Gordy

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of October, 2008; 5/7.

For touching lyrics, I like Between The Bars by Elliott Smith, i'll Be Your Mirror by Velvet Underground, Julian Cope's song for his wife of China Doll and the observation of Blaine Harrison's hospital visits in Mystery Jets' Little Bag of Hair. I'm getting soft in my old age. Ella Glasgow

The Oasis album sold well initially, but it's already fallen to No 7. No one outside their hardcore fans is falling for their same old stodge. Vernon Stone

The Void; Teletext page 827; 29th of October, 2008; 6/7.

Saw V disappointing

Just been to see Saw 5. Disappointing! Did not feel like a Saw film. Where was the twist ending? Anyone know if there is going to be a 6th so they can redeem themselves? Ryan, Belfast

Vortex: Yep, a Saw 6 is planned. Tsk.

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 29th of October, 2008; 1/6.

Zac Efron is so s*xy

I think Vanessa and Zac (High School Musical) are the perfect couple. My best mate thinks that Zac is fit and s*xy. Hannah, West Midlands

I will never forget the first screening of The Spy Who Loved Me in my local flicks in July 1977. Audience cheering, applauding, loving every minute. Magical! H Williams, Wales

What is your fave mo? Mine was the head exploding in Scanners. Rose, Norwich

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 29th of October, 2008; 2/6.

Why no Falklands film?

Why has the film industry in this country not done a film about the Falklands War? Is it a subject that film-makers give the knee-jerk reaction to? The only one I remember was a BBC play Tumbledown with Colin Firth many years ago.

This country has the talent to do this and locations (Scotland, Isle of Man and Ireland), and should be directed maybe by the Scott brothers. Colin Lloyd, Lancs

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 29th of October, 2008; 3/6.

Casino Royale is best

Best Bond film: Casino Royale. It's the first time that Ian Fleming's 007 has been correctly portrayed on screen. Best Bond: unquestionably sean connery. He is the original and who his successors must look up to. Michael, Nuneaton

I know I'm in the minority but my fave Bond has to be Timothy Dalton. Dark, moody, realistic. He did 20 years ago what Craig is doing now. Glen, Notts

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 29th of October, 2008; 4/6.

More Bond comments

My fave Bond is The Spy Who Loved Me. I also love Licence To Kill. Timothy Dalton was a fantastic Bond. Never got the recognition he deserved. Bex, Grantham

For Your Eyes Only is the worst Bond film. Sir Roger's stunt double is all too obvious. Paul, Hailsham

Nick O: I too have a soft spot for OHMSS. It's the only Bond, after Dr No, to be close to the book. Michael Scales

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 29th of October, 2008; 5/6.

Brokeback Mt sucks

Brokeback Mountain sucks. It's a mumbling mess of a film. I was so disappointed in it. Like Walk The Line, another over-hyped bore. I like the people in both films which made it worse. Maggie, Glasgow

Re: Johnny, Yorkshire. Thanks for the info you gave me on how to get the original and Director's Cut version of Legend. That's been a big help to me and I appreciate it. Lance, Manchester

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 29th of October, 2008; 6/6.

New singles by Kat Lister

CHRISTINA AGUILERA Keeps Gettin Better 6/10

Christina, is that really you? '40s jazz is scrapped in favour of a cold electro-pop slap. Does it sound like a sulky Goldfrapp? Not really, but it's a commendable effort.

DELACY & MARCO GEE Bodyswerve 2/10

If you're old enough to remember '90s hit Hideaway, then you're old enough to recognise why this belongs in Chris Evans' brown cupboard with a bottle of alcopop and a DD Wonderbra. Dire.

1/6.

New singles out this week

LEONA LEWIS Forgive Me 5/10

We might be able to forgive Leona, but we can't forgive Simon Cowell. Top marks for taking a naturally-gifted British singer and manufacturing her into a ripped-jeaned Mariah Carey. Utterly devoid of personality.

THE RIVERS Love Or Whatever 5/10

Here come the mocney cockneys again. This duo have taken fellow Brighton-dwellers The Kooks. A lukewarm second single.

2/6.

New singles out this week

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT Comin' Tonight 8/10

Who says Martha can't do pop if she wants? The foot-stomping guitar mistress is back with a witty slice of Americana. Refreshingly melodic, with her ever-knowing twist of melancholy. Devilishly good.

DIAGONAL Diagonal 8/10

Seven-piece, you say? Keep an eye out for this lot. Their experimental take on Doors-esque punk/ rock/ jazz is beguiling and hypnotically unique.

3/6.

New singles out next week

TRACY CHAPMAN Sing For You 7/10

There are some voices that never age. This is one of them. The melody is simple, the vocal is innocently hummed, but the sentiment still manages to pul on those heart strings. Welcome back.

LITTLE JACKIE The Stoop 5/10

New York's answer to Lily Allen is back with anther bumbling ditty. As bumbling ditties go, it ain't bad. Sure to get a thumbs up in Grazia, but it's not as imaginative as their last hit.

4/6.

New singles out next week

ENTER SHIKARI We Can Breathe In Space 2/10

You can either get this inter-galactic hyper-ness of sound or you don't. We don't. If anything, it gives us indigestion

IDA MARIA Oh My God 8/10

The Swedish-born singer pulls off delicate DIY garage to devastating effect. With a raucous voice to die for, she glosses over pj harvey's open wounds, yet still manages to strike a gutsy blow for rsetless love.

4/6.

Fightstar By Any Means Necessary 2/10

The moment we've all been waiting for. Charlie Simpson is back and he's still intent on finding himself, with his latest copy of Kerrang!. Not even the contrived presence of gothic choirs can save this from floundering.

THE RIFLES Great Escape 6/10

As indie anthems go, this one tends to plod a bit. Which is a shame, as the rousing instrumentals here lift this band above the rest.

6/6.

Teletext page 823; 30th of October, 2008.

Johan Johansson/ Fordlandia

Reviews by John Earls

Following his album about the user manual for an IBM computer, here's the second in Johansson's trilogy based on iconic American brand names.

Far less successful than the intricate detail of IBM, this time Johansson's orchestrations are too willing to sit in the background.

Aiming for an intimacy of the Englaborn album, instead it wafts about so airily it's impossible to focus on. 5/10

1/6.

Paul Weller/ At The BBC

Available either as a luxurious 4CD set with a fine interview-packed book, or a digital box-set featuring, gulp, every single Weller BBC session since he went solo in '90 and oodles of gigs.

Even the biggest Weller fan doesn't need all of the digital box, and the 74-song box only has a few songs that are better than the studio originals.

But it is superbly packaged, a nice indulgence for a rabid Wellerite. 6/10

2/6.

The Paddingtons/ No Mundane Options 4/10

Credit to them for sticking around after being dropped, but it hasn't done the Hull band's music any favours. Always beware when bands atart writing about the industry, and there's two mithering songs here, including the title track's bog-ordinary indie-rock.

Once effervescent opener Punk RIP is over, they try '50s rock & roll and a smattering of grunge, but it all ends up sounding the same formulaic mess.

3/6.

North Sea Radio Orchestra Birds 8/10

Second album from the fertile mind of Londiner Craig Fortnam, mixing pastoral folk and modern classical arrangements.

Whether it's gentle, slight folk songs or dramatic choral ensemble pieces, they remain consistent thanks to Fortnam's Nyman-esque still with cut-glass orchestral arrangements and his sister Sharon's Fairport-y vocals.

While it's pretty, the jarring soundtrack adds a sinister touch.

4/6.

Death Vessel/ Nothing Precious Enough For Us

Now reduced to just singer Joel Thibodean, the New Jersey singer's second album is a woozier affair after his strong Stay Close debut.

His strikingly feminine voice is a lovely thing, but the subtly finger-picked arrangements are sometimes too sparse to give it justice.

Better at sweetly uplifting acoustic pop like Circa, it's like Jose Gonzalez at his sleepiest. 6/10

5/6.

Brightblack Morning Light/ Motion To Rejoin

For their second album, BML singer Naybob Shineywater lived in a solar-powered house. The resulting album has some anti-nuclear and coal themes.

Not that you'd necessarily guess there was an eco message from its narcotic drawl, with Gathered Years like Spiritualized at their most strung-out.

Less successful are songs like Rainbow Aims, where the opiate drone slowly fades into a torpor. 6/10

6/6.

Teletext page 824; 30th of October, 2008.

* More than 5, 000 so-called mosquito alarms, which emit a sound to disperse teenage groups, are in operation in the UK.

* Human hair is used as a food additive.

* Italy's footballers were pelted with rotten fruit when they arrived back in the country after an early exit from the 1966 World Cup.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 25th of June, 2010; 1/3.

* Scotland has the highest proportion of cocaine users in the world.

* Tennis matches can last three days.

* There are 820 government websites.

* More than eight million visits were made to news websites every minute, on the night Barack Obama won the US presidential election. On the first day of the World Cup, there were 12m visits per minute.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 25th of June, 2010; 2/3.

* General Stanley McChrystal only eats one square meal a day.

* Nottingham Forest players got drunk the night before winning the League Cup final in 1979.

* There are 6, 000 islands in Greece, but only 227 are inhabited.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 25th of June, 2010; 3/3.

My old man brought me up with simple advice: never trust anyone who doesn't like AC/DC. They're the Guinness of rock & roll, unspoilt by progress. Obviously, Guinnes isn't for everyone and nor are AC/DC. That's why soft rock and fey pop was invented. Bon's Pint

Even though I think led zeppelin are overrated, touring without robert plant is ridiculous. It's like the rolling stones without jagger or pink floyd without gilmour. Col York

The Void; Teletext page 827; 30th of October, 2008; 1/7.

I was puzzled by the letter that claimed King Diamond is an Alice Cooper wannabe. They have nothing in common, apart from some make-up. Alice was an annoying pop-rocker in the mainstream, while King Diamond/ Mercyful Fate were one of the biggest influences album. Just ask Fenriz. Zyniker

I'm sat bathed in a pool of beauty. The second album by The Photos has been a long wait since 1980, but worth it. Thanks, Wendy Wu. Ammce

The Void; Teletext page 827; 30th of October, 2008; 2/7.

Most moving lyrics? "My songs don't know that I exist/ And though I give them life, it is a friendship that will never grow/ My songs are friends I'll never know" from Skylarkin by Mic Christopher. RIP, Mic. Micfan

I bet Paul Rodgers is kicking himself. If he hadn't joined Queen, he could have done his career some favours by holding on a year or so and joining led zeppelin instead. Anyone know where the auditions are taking place? DJ Gordy

The Void; Teletext page 827; 30th of October, 2008; 3/7.

What a belter The Loving Kind is, the song Pet Shop Boys have written for Girls Aloud. PSB's production on Sam Taylor-Wood's cover of i'm In Love With A German Film Star is another gem. The new album next year with Xenomania will be smashing. Stephen Coley

Interesting to read about Kill Hannah and Feeder's tourbuses catching fire on the same day. It's typical. You wait ages for a burning tourbus, then two arrive together. Phil Dykins

The Void; Teletext page 827; 30th of October, 2008; 4/7.