Album Reviews: June's Top Of The Pops

Another busy month ahead of the summer festival period. Here's what June had to offer:

Camera Obscura: 'My Maudlin Career' (rating 9/10)
Camera Obscura have certainly managed to make themselves heard this time without compromising the style which has seen them reach cult status in many countries. Read more.






Manic Street Preachers: 'Journal For Plague Lovers' (rating 9/10)
Whilst there are undoubtedly similarities between this 'Journal' and the original 'Holy Bible' - starting with the cover art provided by Jenny Saville -,this is not just another attempt at an earlier winner. Read more.




Cooper: 'Aeropuerto' (rating 8/10)
There are few surprises on 'Aeropuerto', lyrically sound and incisive backed by a tight Power Pop sound with apparent influences as wide-ranging as The Kinks, Paul Weller or Teenage Fanclub, which means there's generally something for everyone. Read more.




And there was more...

Placebo: 'Battle For The Sun' (rating 9/10) Less glam, less goth, more rock and a blinding album is the result. Hats off to Molko and Co for yet another cracker.





Little Boots: 'Hands' (rating 2/10) One of those moments when you regret having a gut feeling. Commercial pish and not really worth a review, but I don't want anyone else to make the same mistake as I did.



Kasms: 'Spayed' (rating 6/10) Brash and certainly not for the light-hearted, but seems to lose its way a little after the opening tracks and ends up being a bit noisy!




Eels: 'Hombre Lobo' (rating 8/10) There's something about songwriter E which is bizarrely addictive and 'Hombre Lobo' merely serves to extend the myth. Sublime combination of country and rock keeps the punters happy.



Kasabian: 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum' (rating 8/10) Kasabian maintain their swagger, but also branch out to host a variety of sounds on this at times chaotic piece of work. Psychotic psychadelia, but with some bouncing tracks.



Read May's summary.