Perry Farrell: Rev (Warner Bros)
Interesting character, Perry Farrell. Former leader of Jane's Addiction and Porno For Pyros, supposed sexual infatuation junkie, permanent resident of Edge City, and instigator of the legendary Lollapalooza festival, Farrell has had a chequered career, and this album attempts to cobble together some of his finest musical moments - with mixed results. Neither Rev nor the lurching techno cover of Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love give many clues as to where Farrell is headed in the future, and the best moments come with the exuberant 1990 hit, Been Caught Stealing, the poignant 1988 ballad, Jane Says, and 1993's creepy Pets. Fans will want this album for the b-sides, rarities and movie soundtrack contributions - and to keep them sated while they wait for Farrell's next move.
- Kevin Courtney
Cher: The Greatest Hits (WEA/Universal)
She's the undisputed queen of reinvention, moving from mini-skirted 1960s poppet to leather-clad 1980s rock chick, finally landing with a bump 'n' grind on the world's dance floors in 1998. No prizes for guessing which track opens this collection - as the biggest selling single of last year, Believe may well be Cher's greatest ever hit, so it gets top billing here. Young 'uns can also enjoy techno-granny's other recent hits, Strong Enough and All Or Nothing, while big sis can relive the guitar-totin' days of Just Like Jesse James, I Found Someone and If I Could Turn Back Time, and mammy can enjoy such golden oldies as I Got You Babe, The Beat Goes On and Gypsies Tramps And Thieves. And I can get my coat and leave.
- Kevin Courtney
Julie Miller: Broken Things (Hightone)
It has taken a few months to get hold of this, but the wait has been worthwhile. Broken Things is a cracking album that rocks with primitive zeal, caresses with heart-stopping emotion and soothes with understanding and empathy. Julie Miller is not easy to stamp; her songs are steeped in the American country/folk tradition and the more recent strains of country rock with tinges of gospel thrown in. Her voice is an upfront, compelling mixture of quivering ingenue and adult passion: she sings like it matters. And it does on songs such as the title track which, Miller reminds us, Juliet Turner sang so hauntingly after Omagh. A belated but strong contender for album of the year.
- Joe Breen
Buddy Miller: Cruel Moon (Hightone)
Yes, this is her other half, co-producer, backup singer and guitarist extraordinary. His playing lights up the above album and is equally sharp on this third solo outing. Just as he illuminates her album, Julie Miller does likewise on this more rootsy and twangy collection. Many of the songs are either written, or co-written by her and her voice colours many of the tracks, but Buddy's album is less focused. The mood is looser, with fiddle and mandolin to the fore; songs such as Paul Kennerly's Love Match underline his sense of fun. There is darker material as well; the gothic ballad, Does My Ring Burn Your Finger, a tingling duet with Emmylou Harris on the title track, and much more.
- Joe Breen