Latest singles reviewed

COUNTING CROWS
Accidentally in Love Dreamworks/Geffen
*

Cartoon hippie Adam Duritz and his avian accomplices knocked off this jolly ditty for Shrek 2, but it's not even good enough for Rugrats. Oops, I accidentally fed it to the donkey.

RYAN ADAMS
Wonderwall Lost Highway
**

A guy who used to be cool back in 2001 does a cover version of a band who used to be cool back in 1994. Doesn't sound promising to me, unless the two uncools cancel each other out and make both artists cool again.

THE HIVES
Walk, Idiot, Walk Polydor
***

Damn, the itching has started again. The Hives are back, with a mega record deal and a new album, from which this stomping single is taken. Bigger, brasher and even more boastful - they're gonna be totally unbearable.

BEN KWELLER
The Rules BMG
***

The Texan retro-rocker has thrown out the studio rulebook and gone for a raw, unvarnished feel, recording his new album "live on the floor", just like they used to do back in the '60s. You can practically hear someone firing up a bong in the corner of the studio.

ROYAL GIGOLOS
California Dreamin'  Manifesto

Oh, right, summer's here; time for all the cheesy dance versions of popular classics. This one features some grunting Teutonic bloke propositioning young ladies while they're trying to sunbathe - bring on the rain.

THE FIERY FURNACES
Single Again  Rough Trade
**

With synths straight out of a house of horrors, siblings Eleanor and Matt Friedberger will frighten couples with this dark, violent nursery rhyme of spousal abuse. Not to be played at weddings.

BASEMENT JAXX
Good Luck XL
****

The kicking theme tune for BBC's Euro 2004 coverage features vocals from The Bellrays' Lisa Kekaula, but this northern soul-powered stomper has the legs to keep going long after the tournament is over.