Europe – Last Look At Eden (Ear Music) I really didn’t expect to like this, but I did. It’s hard to imagine that this is the same band that gave us the 1986 classic The Final Countdown. This is an absolute gem of an album with some phenomenal musicianship, but it’s Joey Tempest’s Robert Plant-like vocal gymnastics that really give Europe the golden touch. There are some great songs, and it’s good that Europe have managed to break away from the Eighties hair-metal image that they had and are now actually starting to sound rather modern.

Russ Petcher, 34, bassist, Low Moor

Florence Rawlings – A Fool In Love (Dramatico) Florence Rawlings is a young Londoner with a very big voice. This is her first album release and includes many songs written by Mike Batt. For me it was like a cross between Dennis Waterman singing Minder and the Commitments soundtrack. Undoubtedly the girl can sing, but this rhythm and blues does nothing for me.

Mary Cuthbert, 42, fitness Instructor, Bingley

Rodrigo & Gabriela – 11:11 (Rubyworks) The publicity blurb salutes these 11 new self-written compositions as Rod & Gab’s personal “Gracias” to a first XI of musicians who have inspired them along the way, with the ‘legendary’ Alex Skolnick guesting. For those nostalgic about an old Mexican visit, it might ring a few sentimental bells. For me, it’s monotonous Mexican musak typical of the entertainment offered to non-indigenous visitors to a country not famed for its progressive music.

Reg Nelson, 58, bank administrator, Bradford

Dot Allison – Room 7½ (Arthouse Ltd) Room 7½ is an unusual collection of heartfelt pleas demanding true love amid an atmospheric-noir background of some beauty. The 11 songs are delivered in Allison’s velvet-like voice, occasionally punctuated with contributions by Peter Doherty and Paul Weller. The album also features a cover of the Scott Walker song Montague Terrace (In Blue). Dot has recently finished touring as a support act to Babyshambles, and she also performed with Peter Doherty at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. She is currently moving on to filmscore work.

Daphne Rowbotham, 59, retired, Shipley