SINGLES

Latest CD releases reviewed

AUTAMATA Liberty Bell N4 Records ***

Here's a Dublin Christmas single - with Christchurch bells on. Ken McHugh's collective offers up a seasonal celebration of the Capital, and Carol Keogh's voice nicely evokes those crisp, cold afternoons racing up and down Grafton Street looking for last-minute presents.

JAMES BLUNT Goodbye My Lover Atlantic *

His name rhymes with front bottom, and many have cursed the day he left the army and created the monster that is You're Beautiful. Well, brace yourself for another aural assault, as James brings out the heavy artillery - a piano - and sprays us with emotional shrapnel. Yah, you missed.

COLLIE Give It UpXcentury *

Here's a warning to all would-be Dublin rappers: stay off them dope beats, otherwise you'll end up sounding like Dustin the Turkey doing a support slot with Goldie Lookin' Chain.

FRANZ FERDINAND Walk Away Domino ****

The Franzes risk losing their arty fanbase by showing off their sensitive side, but just as the cool crowd are walking away, the band pulls them back with some clever lines about keeping your cool in an emotional crisis.

THE WATER BABIES Under the Tree EMI/Angel **

Ring out those mobile phone bells, it's Christmas single time again. Here's the one from the Vodophone ad, written by the guy behind Stiltskin, and featuring his 11-year-old daughter Cressida on vocals and a guy who sounds a bit like Boy George in Band Aid. Do O2 know it's Christmas?

MILK KAN Bling Bling Baby Play it Again **

Imagine Pete Doherty, Chas 'n' Dave, John Otway and Wild Willie Barratt jamming on a version of Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues. Yeah, scary, innit? Dunno whether I want to laugh or smash their washboards over their heads.

FREAKBOYS So Sexy Xcentury **

Dublin backroom boys Paul Munsanje and Wes D'Arcy are the boffins who had an underground dance hit last summer with I Wanna Be Your Lover, and they're doing it one more time with this Modjo-meets-Daft Punk style tune. Guaranteed to get the slappers out on the floor at Club 92.