Neil Young -- Greatest Hits

Someone once said that what Neil Young writes isn't very complicated, but my God he hits the mark every time.

How many other musicians that began over 40 years ago can still claim to have relevance today?

From the ten minute Cowgirl In the Sand from1969, through Southern Man and up to Rockin In The Free World, this is incomparable.

I've always loved that stoned-out early Seventies guitar sound and this is most certainly where it's at. Not one bum track on this album and I was in heaven playing it. It's not for dads, it's for everyone who wants to know how good rock can get.

Antony Silson

LeAnn Rimes -- What a Wonderful World

Many pop and R&B stars feel the need to release a Christmas album, and while Mariah Carey's is still the best, this new disc by country girl LeAnn is among the better Yuletide offerings.

The usual suspects are there including Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, the Christmas Song, White Christmas and All I Want for Christmas.

Miss Rimes goes all Marilyn Monroe-style sexy on Santa Baby and variously soulful, slinky and slushy on the rest of the 11 tracks including a handful of originals.

Once the Christmas tree is out and the trimmings are up, this will provide ideal background music so long as you like your Christmas sugar-coated.

David Knights

Blues Explosion -- Damage

Jon Spencer may have dropped his name from the band name but he still leads the group through twelve tracks in the pub rock style.

Think The Cramps meets Dr. Feelgood meets The Rolling Stones, with a hint of INXS.

Spencer has dropped the screeching vocal style favoured on some of the bands earlier work and he's adopted an almost Mick Jagger come Nick Cave style.

Not a bad recording, but with the exception of Burn It Off it all sounds rather samey and over the course of a whole album it fails to hold the listeners attention.

Graham Scaife

The 411 -- Between the Sheets

Not quite as sassy as TLC and a less moody Sugababes, The 411 are a refreshing mix of sophistication, sexiness and cool.

Between the Sheets is a slick and very well compiled debut album and though The 411 are as manufactured as the likes of the more fluffy Girls Aloud, the foxy foursome seem to have a bit more clout about them.

Almost unheard of from today's pop princesses there's a couple of songs side-stepping the subject of love -- My Friend has a Waterfalls vibe about it and What If It Was You? tackles homelessness.

Other high points include the sumptuous ballad Between the Sheets and the Top Five hits On My Knees and Dumb.

The 411 on The 411 is that they are pretty damn good.

Gemma Berry