Beth Orton -- Comfort Of Strangers

Ten years into her recording career Beth Orton returns to try and steal back some of the acclaim that is currently being afforded to artists like KT Tunstall.

Comfort Of Strangers is a huge disappointment.

The title track features some pleasant guitar plucking and gentle keyboards that suit Orton's Joni Mitchell-like vocal and Conceived has some nice strings and an infectious chorus.

Absinthe, Feral Children and Shopping Trolley -- the best track by some distance -- all have a real Bob Dylan feel about them but the album never raises itself above background music level.

Not even the production by Sonic Youth's Jim O'Rourke can lift it above ordinary. In the Kingdom of the Folk, pop singer Tunstall remains the Queen.

Graham Scaife

The Concretes -- In Colour

Having particularly enjoyed the Swedish group's previous album, I was looking forward to this one.

I wasn't disappointed as the sensual vocals and combination of all manner of instruments created the perfect accompaniment to the splendour of a sunny spring morning.

They have managed to create a unique sound which balances a quirky 60s sensibility with a cool Scandanavian popiness.

Imagine a more glacial Goldfrapp playing at a party for The Avengers surrounded by Go-Go dancers dressed in day-glo. As the sun decides to come out more often, this album will help you shake off the winter blues.

Antony Silson