English Music Reviews - October 12, 2006

20 Y.O.
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson begins her new album with the lines “I've covered a lot in my 20 years, and I've uncovered a lot in my 20 years,'' referring to the famous Superbowl incident. And that's why we still love Janet. Even 20 years later, she surprises you with the obvious. And that's exactly what her music is like too. Just when you think you know what she's up to, she comes out with something so different, yet so obviously Janet, that you can't help but sit back and smile your way through the album.

Divided into 5 parts, the album begins with 5 dance tunes, the best being Get It Out Me with it's retro '80s feel. The second part of the album features more laidback grooves. The rest of 20 Y.O. is all about having fun, something that you're bound to do when you put on this album.

Crazy Itch Radio
Basement Jaxx
If you like dance music, Basement Jaxx's the one for you. Every track here has brilliant high-energy dance grooves that would kick up a storm on any dance floor.

Must listen tracks here include Hush Boy (with it's strange lyrics of chicken fajitas, margeritas and the internet), Hey You, Everybody and Run 4 Cover. All feature crazy dance beats, the use of synthesisers, samples and easy lyrics.

John Tucker Must Die
Original Soundtrack
The highlight of this OST has got to be The All-American Rejects' Dirty Little Secret. It's a fun pop-rock track with jangly guitars and drums and pop-friendly vocals about a relationship that's meant to be a secret. Also listen out for Rock Kills Kid's Hope Song - a brilliant tune reminiscent of 80s rock anthems - as well as the punk-rock Better Open The Door by Motion City Soundtrack and Quietdrive's cover of Time After Time.

Best Club Anthems 2006
Various Artistes
Okay, so none of the nightclubs in town are open for a while, but that's all the more reason you need a CD like this to get down and groove to at home.

Now that we've boogied to it a few times, it's easy to spot the favourites: Mousse T and Dandy Warhold's Horny As A Dandy, Paul Oakenfold's Faster Kill Pussycat, Cassius' Toop Toop, KMC's Soul On Fire, Benassi Bros and Sandy's Feel Alive and Rockefeller and Gina J's Back 2 U.