Catatonia originated in 1992 after Mark Roberts met Cerys Matthews busking in the streets of Cardiff, with the other musicians joining later. This year these former buskers have this platinum-certified UK number one album, written mostly by Mark and Cerys.

Cerys, a powerful and versatile singer, is also an indie sex symbol infamous for her hard drinking reputation. She once went to see a gig in Britain and woke up in France, missing a Catatonia performance. Another booze-up resulted in lawyer's letters after she drunkenly asked on a live TV political debate who a fellow female panelist would be sleeping with that night.

This is only the second album from this Welsh indie band, who's first EP was released in 1993. Their sound is mostly sparky, sprightly guitar pop, but also incorporates loops and studio treatments, even stretching to trip hop on 'Why I Can't Stand One Night Stands'.

Best tracks include the witty Mafia send-up 'I Am The Mob' and the top ten hit, 'Road Rage'. The standout is the minor pop gem, 'Mulder and Scully', a shrewd exploitation of the X-Files phenomenon. The fun title cut has elements of 'In The Summertime', metal and reggae. This anthemic, affectionate parody of nationalism includes the line, "Every day when I wake up, I thank the Lord I'm Welsh".

Catatonia try hard, but don't quite have the songs for a truly good album. Tracks such as 'Don't Need The Sunshine' and 'Johnny Come Lately' are grim. Still, if you like the singles, you should hear this entertaining but unexceptional album. The striking vocals and canny pop sensibility ensure that Catatonia's fifteen minutes of fame will continue for a while.

Farell Russak

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