Fried -- Fried

Until I recently heard Joss Stone's second album, I laboured under the false impression that the girl from Devon had genuine soul.

But on listening to Jonte Short sing for her life as the frontwoman of new act Fried, and then hearing Stone's Mind, Body and Soul, I'm afraid blondie just doesn't cut it anymore.

Fried has Jonte belting out the tunes that songwriter David Steele has superbly crafted with more soul than I can begin to describe.

She sings so beautifully, you just know she means every word to leave her lips.

From the up-tempo When You Get Out Of Jail and the brilliant Whatever I Choose, both Jonte's voice and Steele's arrangements slide together perfectly.

Softer numbers like Sugar Water Days and Things Change are highlights too.

Short is drawing many comparisons to Aretha Franklin and that is the biggest compliment you could pay her.

Fried deserve MOBO's and more by the bucketload, I've hardly had this out of my CD player.

Stuart Roberts

Ocean Colour Scene: Live -- One For The Road

Released to whet the appetites of those waiting for the new album, here we have OCS storming through their best known tracks.

As those who attended the recent gig at Victoria Hall will know, Damon Minchella has left for pastures new.

The two new members fill the gap and then add some extra muscle.

In my humble opinion Simon Fowler has one of the great rock voices, able to turn from soul hollering to heartbreaking tenderness in a moment.

His voice alone is worth the price of the cd, never mind the six stringed wizardry of Steve Craddock.

All the hits are here - Travellers' Tune, The Day We Caught The Train and a rousing go at Wham Bam Thank You Mam by The Small Faces.

Antony Silson

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds -- Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus

Two separate single albums in one rather luxurious package that find Cave working for the first time without long-time Bad Seed collaborator Blixa Bargeld.

These recordings are, quite simply, Cave's most accomplished work to date.

The use of the London Community Gospel Choir is inspired and they turn several good songs into great songs especially on the wonderfully uplifting Carry Me and O Children.

Babe, You Turn Me On sees Cave stake his claim as the new Johnny Cash while Get Ready For Love and There She Goes, My Beautiful World sound every inch like T Rex! Album of the year, if it hadn't been for Keane and Embrace!

Graham Scaife.

Massive Attack -- Danny the Dog

Lets firstly point out that this isn't really a Massive Attack album and shouldn't be seen as such.

This soundtrack to a Luc Besson action film flits from orchestral epic, dub to dance, certainly confusing the listener, but this isn't really a bad album.

Very similar to Mezzanine, it plays like a Matrix soundtrack and you can almost picture Jet Li fighting it out.

Polaroid Girl, Sam and Collar Stays On are standout tracks with eerie strings but it's a shame 3D refuses to use his vocals these days.

As on 100th Window, we are again only shown glimpses of the power and talent that the Bristol group still possesses.

Michael Taylor