SINGLES -

Biffy Clyro: Joy... Toys ... (Out Monday)

DOUBLE-A sides remain a mystery to my, especially when they have titles like Joy. Discovery. Invention. and Toys Toys Toys Choke, Toys Toys Toys. Confused? Me too.

Anyway, here goes. Joy... has a very catchy chorus, while Toys... is a bit 80s punk with a touch of Creed or Nickelback. If you want to check it out for yourself, Biffy Clyro are at Manchester Roadhouse on July 21.

I'll be on a beach in Corfu, but please let me know what you think.

**

Shakira: Underneath Your Clothes (Out Monday)

A decent follow-up to an excellent debut. Whenever, Wherever did the biz earlier this year, and this could follow in its footsteps.

Written about her boyfriend (sorry lads, she's taken), it has an Eric Clapton Tears In Heaven feel. It's more meaningful than "Underneath Your Clothes" might suggest -- it's a real "I love everything about you" song.

***

ALBUMS

Snowblind: The Falls (Out now)

THERE is a tongue-in-cheek Beautiful South/Mike Flowers Pops feel to Snowblind's opener, Easy Girl, with Jane Murphy's voice reminding me of Sadie Frost's karaoke performance in Love, Honour and Obey.

Country has an Abba Fernando sound, before The Beautiful South return for Summer In The Sun. Well worth a listen.

***

The Vines: Highly Evolved (Out now)

THESE Aussie rockers had an awful lot of praise in certain circles -- and after hearing the album, who am I to disagree?

The title track gives you an idea of the shape of things to come -- a guitar-squall of adrenaline that will make you feel like you've been slapped in the face. By a brick.

There are also some quite beautiful slower tracks, such as Autumn Shade and Country Yard, and what can only be described as "pop".

The new Nirvana? On this evidence, they could easily have the same impact.

*****

Various: The Family Values Tour 2001 (Out Monday)

THIS is a compilation of live performances from the likes of Linkin Park, Staind and Stone Temple Pilots, with artists joining each other for impromptu collaborations.

What more can you say? Rock on.

***

Various: Club 106 No 2 (Out Monday)

CLUBBERS have Scotland's Beat 106 Radio DJs Steve Kerr and Colin Tevendale to blame, or thank, for this.

It's hardcore dance stuff with people I've never heard of and, like Marmite, you'll either love it or hate it.

I like Marmite, but I wouldn't have this with a cup of tea.

**

Dave Smith