Ben Folds - Rockin' The Suburbs First things first.

This is a corker of an album that everyone should think about buying.

Ben Folds is a bit of a favourite of mine, from the days before he went solo and headed the band Ben Folds Five.

This is the first album he's made since moving to Australia with his wife and new born son and is probably his most personal record. yet.

Ben and Jason - Ten Songs About You

Imagine the scene. You and your loved one are settling down on the banks of the River Irwell for a picnic, enjoying champagne, cheese on a stick and maybe some hula hoops.

The sun goes in and you have to go home earlier than planned. It stops it from being a wonderful day, lowering it to merely an average one instead.

The next day your mother rings. What was the picnic like, she says. You say it was nice but not great.

While it has little to do with Ben and Jason, it does sort of sum up their album. Nice but not at all great . It's hard to knock it; it's hard to praise. Singles Basement Jaxx - Jus 1 Kiss

One of the poorer songs off the band's brilliant Rooty album, which was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize.

It's what you'd expect. Big beat and jingly-jangly rhythms but this time it doesn't quite work.

Liberty - Thinking It Over

Remember that TV programme about overconfident, brash and annoying kids who wanted to be in a group? Popstars, I think it was called.

Well, believe it or not, here is the first single from the five who didn't win.

However, at the very least, it's better than Hear'Say. .

Lisa Stansfield - 831

Oh bless her. Lovely little Lisa, the most notable product from Rochdale since pollution, attempts once again to recapture past glories with this dancey sing-a-long anthem that sounds just like every song she has ever released.

Mary J Blige - Family Affair

For the first 30 seconds sounds as if Mary is dying in a car crash judging by the groans of pain. But just when you're about to phone for medical help, it's okay, she starts singing.

Then you soon wish she was actually in a car crash.

Actually this isn't too bad. Produced by Dr Dre (who I am reliably informed is not actually a qualified member of the medical profession, so if your child gets chicken pox don't ring him up), it's the usual funky Destiny's Child style hip-hop song. Catchy but hardly original.

Girls@Play - Respectable

Some songs make you feel joy. Others make you feel mildly depressed. This, on the other hand, makes me question the point of living.

Absolutely awful rehash of Mel & Kim's original from five tarts who have decided that skirts are old hat and just wear knickers instead.

They supported Hearsay during their last tour - enough said.

Stereophonics - Step On My Old Size Nines

A release from a group who currently lack the talent or direction to do anything decent.

Their first album Word Gets Around was brilliant, Performance and Cocktails was above average but the last release was awful.

This is one of the songs. It's boring, plods pointlessly along and at three minutes 58 seconds long, is almost four minutes longer than it should be.