http://www.teletext.co.uk/planetsound/single-reviews/default.aspxen-gbSun, 12 Jul 2009 22:00:08 GMThttp://www.teletext.co.uk/images/Logo64x64.gifhttp://www.teletext.co.uk<b>GREEN DAY 21 Guns 8/10</b><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/entertainment/planet-sound/single-reviews/~4/Cp4YprX1QqE" height="1" width="1"/>GREEN DAY 21 Guns 8/10
New album 21st Century Breakdown hasn't connected like American Idiot, but it's more to do with a political shift, not any lessening in song quality. If it's splendidly OTT punk bombast you want, there remains none finer.

SMOKE FAIRIES Frozen Heart 8/10
A new breed of blissed-out, hypnotic folk that freezes the mood of Isobel Campbell and Goldfrapp, stretching it out for a heavenly eternity.

THE TWANG Barney Rubble 8/10
They weren't the best new band ever in 2007, but they certainly weren't the worst. Mint Royale's Neil Claxton adds production finesse their songwriting was always capable of, resulting in a great shuffle. They merit a new chance.

YOU ANIMALS Halfway To Heartbreak 7/10
Terrific jangling from a Derbyshire mob whose chorus suggests they may one day write a mainstream classic. Fey verses, but few bands have such melodic power.

REVEREND AND THE MAKERS Silence IsTalking 8/10 Unlike the first album, their new record has more than just strong singles. But, hey, a strong song never hurt anyone and this progresses Jon McClure's confidence with a pulsating bass and whacked-out groove.

HALF TIGER Bright City 7/10
They may be in thrall to SFA, but an innocent joy and a determination to do more with synthpop than ape the 80s pays off with a demented glee.

I MONSTER Lust For A Vampyr 8/10
They took their time, but the duo finally match their Daydream In Blue hit with a fiendishly addictive dreamy dance, complete with sleazy sax and a cooing folk vocal sample that could lure a man to his death.

THE MUSCLE CLUB Fragmented Ideas 5/10
It starts out like an Arctics rip-off, takes an ill-fitting lunge into Fugazi wannabe rock, has a nice jangly chorus then repeats it all again. Rum.

GURRUMUL Wiyathul 6/10
The first Aboriginal musician to make it into Australia's mainstream, his high voice is a marvel. But the spare acoustic backing is just too basic, and could be any busker's ballad.

BAND OF SKULLS Fires 7/10
Confident juddering rock power, like My Morning Jacket at their sleaziest, the Southampton trio sidestep their British peers to go for something more timeless - they have the sturdy tune to match.

FLASHGUNS Matching Hearts Similar Parts 7/10 Everything from a glockenspiel to multiple drums is thrown in here, along with singing ranging around grunge bellowing to dainty hairslide indie. That it all hangs together is testament to an intriguing inventiveness.

EZRA BANG AND HOT MACHINE White Power 4/10 Leaving aside the dubious title, the London duo's attempts at aping The Stooges' Raw Power just sounds like it was found in BRMC's bin. Rotten.

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