CONSIDERINGMarc Almond was in a coma for two weeks only three years ago and had to learn how to sing again, it is amazing to hear this record. Amid all the rehab after his motorcycle accident, writer's block was perhaps the least of his worries so he did what he has always done best: reworked an album of classic old tunes. This collection, from Frank Sinatra to Roberta Flack, is one long biography in song, even in its darker moments. There is unconfined joy in Almond's voice.

And that's before the incredible duets with Antony Hegarty and St Etienne's Sarah Cracknell.

Download: 'Stardom Road' 'Bedsitter Images'

'The Ballad of the Sad Young Men' Neil Dunphy Common Finding Forever XL (53m 08s) . . .

THE best thing about the seventh album from Chicago rapper Common is that it has soul . . . in both senses of the word. It's basically a groovy record with rapped lyrics so there's virtually no hip hop beats to speak of. Also, it's not completely obsessed with guns and bitches and isn't overly didactic. Primarily produced by Kanye West, it also features a number of collaborations, including a catchy future single with Lily Allen and West on 'Start The Show' and 'Southside', a more rockier beatdriven tune that also evokes the best of 1970s American music.

Download: 'Start The Show' 'The People' 'The Game' ND

GoodBooks Control Sony BMG (49m 58s) . . .

ANOTHER dance-pop indie band beloved by the NME, ready to become this year's latest fashion accessory? Call me cynical but as soon as I hear songs about the girl next door in a fine Kent accent I tend to switch off. But this debut is lively enough to hold interest right to the end. For starters, these four lads are well read. Secondly, a bit like Hot Chip, they have a fine grasp of how to write a tune with a guitar and mix it up with subtle electronica and thirdly they are hopeless romantics. So If you like Guillemots, Mr Hudson or even Bloc Party this may be just for you.

Download: 'Beautiful To Watch' 'The Curse of Saul' 'Good Life Salesman' ND

The Thrills Teenager Virgin (40m 54s) . .

THE Dublin five-piece relocated from LA to Vancouver to make their third record, which claims to explore pubescence, although lyrically it's a little vaguer than that.

Deasy's voice is certainly stronger though still very much an acquired taste. There's little dexterity in the musicianship, and the whole thing feels stifled and forced. The California dreaming is gone, but what made them successful was their melodies. This time, there simply aren't enough hooks on the record to get beyond what many people find annoying about them musically.

Download: 'Should've Known Better', 'Nothing Changes Around Here' Una Mullally

Os Mutantes Mutantes Live . . . Barbican Theatre, London 2006 Luaka Bop (60:06) . .

THIS is definitely one for the fans, so if you're not into a fairly dodgy recording of the Brazilian psychedelic rockers, then look away now. The most remarkable thing about this is how formulaic compositions from the postTropicalia genre now sound.

'Virginia' is cheesy as ever, as is 'I'm Sorry Baby'. There are some interesting moments on 'Dia 36' and 'Fuga no 11', but over all the quality of the sound on the CD and the accompanying visuals on the DVD are too poor to make it a worthwhile live experience. It's so unbelievably happy though, it may even make you forget the rain.

Download: : 'Virginia', 'Don Quixote' UM

Classical

Stravinsky: Pulcinella/ Fairy's Kiss Robert Craft/ Philharmonia Naxos (78m 23) . . .

THE Robert Craft Collection ticks another box with these re- releases, 'Pulcinella' from 1997 with the Philharmonia orchestra and 'The Fairy's Kiss' from 1995 with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Soprano Diana Montague, tenor Robin Leggate and bass Mark Beesley join the Philharmonia for a spirited performance of Stravinsky's neo-classical ballet with song. The balance between solo voice and orchestra occasionally creates an odd distance between the two, with the effect of having lost much of the "middle" sound. There is comparably more warmth of sound in the engineering of 'The Fairy's Kiss'. Karen Dervan