Music reviews: Ministry of Sound and more

Club Files Vol.12, Ministry of Sound
If you're looking for a CD to pop on whilst you and the gang are getting ready for your NYE out on the town, then look no further than this two-disc (and one DVD) offering from MoS. Boasting six exclusive tracks from the likes of Bodybangers and Yves Larock, you also get banging tunes from house legends Robyn and Moby. Disc one includes Milk & Sugar's Hi-a Ma and Point Blank's Walking On Air, while disc two heads off in a funkier direction thanks to generous helpings of NYC's superstar DJ/producers, Erick Morillo, Roger Sanchez and Tiësto.
Dh115, Virgin Megastores

Lulu, Lou Reed and Metallica
If this pairing of NY cool with SoCal metal seems as unlikely as Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Johnson (Google them), then take heart in the things that unite these guys, such as a shared penchant for black and in testing (some would say ‘alienating') their fans on occasion. A concept album based on plays about a stripper-turned-social climber, enjoy pedal-to-the-metal thrash on Mistress Dread, Ulrich's signature skins on Frustration and Velvets-style moodiness on Little Dog. In short, this two-disc album suffers a little from an identity crisis.
Dh110, Virgin Megastores

Stronger, Kelly Clarkson
American Idol's most successful alumnus brings the powerhouse vocals and tough-gal messages to her fifth studio album, with the opening track, Mr Know It All setting the tone for a more mature sound befitting a woman set to turn 30 in 2012. There's few weak links here, with I Forgive You a sorbet to her classic Since U Been Gone, and What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger) a pulsating girls' night out tune. And in an album packed with just the right ratio of ballads to power anthems, we're loving the Stefani-esque You Can't Win, and you will too!
Dh60, Virgin Megastore