SINGLES

Latest releases reviewed

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS Dani California Warner Bros ****

The Chilis have a new double album, Stadium Arcadium, on the way, and here's the stadium-friendly first single, featuring the band's usual liberal use of the C-word (that's California, dude). Who the f*** is Dani, though?

ARCTIC MONKEYS Who the Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys? Domino *****

"Bring on the backlash!" shouts Alex Turner on the title track of this fab five-song EP, a collection of post-fame reflections that includes The View from The Afternoon, Cigarette Smoker Fiona and the poignant Despair in the Departure Lounge. Ten steps ahead every time.

THE RACONTEURS Steady, as She Goes XL ****

Or, Is She Really Settling Down with Him? Jack White and his new gang take a Joe Jackson riff and twist it into a tale of a man who likes to play it safe. Don't mock us, Jack - we can't all be as wild and free and talented as you.

TEDDY THOMPSON I Should Get Up Verve ***

The son of Richard and Linda Thompson (ask yer granddad) has been ploughing his own alt.folk furrow. This is from his well-received album, Separate Ways, all about the hardest part of the day: getting out of bed. It's backed by Bon Jovi Said, a nice little nugget of Hair Metal philosophy.

SPANK ROCK Sweet Talk Big Dada ****

Two superfly tunes in one from the bawdy Baltimore beatmasters. Sweet Talk kicks off with a dirty funk riff and Naeem Juwan aka MC Spank Rock giving it loads of lip. Then it morphs into a sweet-voiced soul coda courtesy of backing singers The Typical Girls.

TUNNG Woodcat Full Time Hobby ***

The sun is shining, the bunny rabbits are frolicking in the fields, and a giant Wicker Man containing Edward Woodward is being set alight on the hilltop. And the sweet, folktronic sounds of this English duo are drifting over the fresh-cut grass. "We all had a luvly time," concludes singer Sam Genders. Indeed - more brown acid, vicar?

KING BISCUIT TIME Kwangchow No Style ***

The Beta Band are no more, but Steve Mason is still operating under his King Biscuit Time alias, and still drying the rain with his oddball folk-hop sound. More hash cookies, vicar?