Take a look at what's hot and what's not for this years music releases

By John Isherwood

Moby - 18 - Mute - Out: June TBA

Having gained international super-stardom with the multi-million selling album, Play, Moby had a lot to live up to with the release of his new album, 18. Whereas Play was a great album, there was always a feeling that it just wasn't really the finished article. 18 is a more complete work. Although both Play and 18 contain the same amount of tracks, (surprisingly 18) Play ran out of steam before the end and the final few tracks were just 'space fillers'. 18 doesn't run out of steam at all and keeps you gripped to your speakers until the final seconds.

The first single We Are All Made of Stars is an electronica influenced number that could have come straight out of the 1980's. Moby makes a nice return to writing ballads too on this release. The track, Signs of Love is a prime example of all the influences on Moby's personal life and really introduces you to the man himself. If you didn't know him before hearing this, you will now.

Jam For the Ladies is another of the outstanding tracks on this album. A real uplifting hip-hop influenced piece featuring Angie Stone and MC Lyte, which will have you reaching for the stars. Will these tracks appear on television adverts? Who knows, but it's a great album so buy it anyway.


Doves - The Last Broadcast - Heavenly Records - Out Now

People are still talking about Oasis' new album, Heathen Chemistry (reviewed later) as the album to resurrect the interest in Manchester music. Although Oasis may be the more recognisable Manchester band at the moment, no one should ever overlook this band. Formed from the ashes of Sub Sub and going through plenty of turbulent times, including having their studio burn to the ground, Doves emerged in 2000 with one of the most melancholic albums of the year, Lost Souls. Lost Souls was full of brooding, acoustic guitar driven, soulful tunes.

The Last Broadcast is a little more upbeat and reeks of Manchester influences. The now deleted first single release and by far the albums most outstanding track, There Goes the Fear sounds like The Stone Roses/Ian Brown's solo work at the peak of their respective successes. The whole album is experimental and works perfectly. Tracks such as The Sulphur Man and Friday's Dust show how far Doves have come in the past two years. Is this Manchester's most important album of the past few years? Possibly. When Heathen Chemistry eventually arrives, expect Manchester to dominate the charts once again.


Oasis - Heathen Chemistry - Big Brother Records - Out: June 1st

Its been a fair while now since the critically panned, Standing on the Shoulder of Giants was released. At the time many thought that Oasis had simply just gone off the boil and that the release of SOTSOG was going to signal the death knell for the band. But in their defence, Oasis were going through a bit of a turbulent time around this release. Liam and Noel were arguing like never before, two members left, two new members stepped up to the breach and had to be settled in and of course Creation records bit the dust prompting Noel to start up Big Brother records which that album was released on. Hard times? Possibly, but they still scored a number one.

So after a few years of heading off to America to tour with the likes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Manchester's 'favourite' sons are back with a new album and a very visible unified spirit. Big question though, does Heathen Chemistry cut the mustard? Is it any good? Well to answer the $64,000 question, yes its good, not that good but better than the previous release. After snatching number one from the be-gelled Sonic the Hedgehog karaoke singer, (Gareth Gates if you didn't get that) with possibly the albums best track, The Hindu Times, Oasis were seemingly back on form. The rest of the album reeks of a very strong influence of US touring partners Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, which is a good thing as Black Rebel are very good.

Essentially this is an album which will really please the fans. A return to the good old ball to the wall rock and roll of Definitely Maybe. This is music which Oasis diehards have been crying out for, for ages. There's a track to bring back all the good memories of Champagne Supernova as Stop Crying Your Heart Out will rip at your heart strings with some serious viciousness. Liam's songwriting has improved too especially on the song Better Man, well let's be honest anything had to be better than Little James.

Heathen Chemistry can definitely be seen as a return to form for Oasis, it's a shame that the form guide says that Oasis are just a distinctively average band. If you want a Manchester album buy The Last Broadcast.