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It’s Day’s night, and no one is going to spoil her story
A Sentimental Journey
Film
This is a shocking, replenishing film, not to be missed
Green Zone
Restaurants
It is great that Bruno Loubet is back — and at prices that are eminently fair
Bistro Bruno Loubet
The action and direction are superb and the acting good, but the plot is so pathetic it defies belief
Wonderful - beautifully acted and gloriously funny, particularly Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw
Probably the most important photography exhibition london has ever seen
London,
The Scissor Sisters' new album, Ta-Dah! is big, bright and bold
The Scissor Sisters new album is big, bright, bold and gay, Mates of State's Bring It Back is well worth seeking out and Darkel's first outing is super cool...
POP
Scissor Sisters
Ta-Dah (Polydor)
Review: John Aizlewood
****
Having ascended by embracing the tackier musical end of the Seventies, albeit with a 21st-century outlook, Scissor Sisters were ignored in their native America, but embraced in Britain. Neither situation will change on this second outing, although Jake Shears seems increasingly unsure just how seriously to take himself. Thus, the hugely likable Ta-Dah is big, bright, bold and, in both senses of the word, gay. There's glitterstomp in the shape of Kiss You Off, tea-house whimsy in Intermission and knowing, high-camp frippery on I Don't Feel Like Dancin'. And while Ta-Dah may be a feast of unfettered fun, it's all underpinned by genuine songwriting craft.
Mates of State
Bring It Back (Moshi Moshi)
Review: David Smyth
****
The fourth album by Connecticut couple Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel is only the first to be released in the UK. It's about time we caught up with the pair's vibrant, sunny sounds. Refreshingly guitar-free, the songs are characterised by Gardner's varied keyboard effects, frequent tempo changes and blissful harmonies. The intertwined vocals and occasional shouting in Think Long recalls Arcade Fire, while Goods (All in Your Head) would be an instant pop hit if someone more famous had sung it. Their arrival is likely to be too small-scale to prompt any kind of serious breakthrough, but it's well worth seeking out.
Darkel
Darkel (Source)
Review: Chris Elwell-Sutton
****
He spent the past decade as half of French electronic duo, Air, and now Jean-Benoit Dunckel offers up his solo debut. Supremely stylish, it exudes that peculiarly French combination of ultra-cool irony and catchy accessibility. Dunckel's fey, breathy vocals provide the common thread through 10 wildly differing tracks. Much of the album remains at a familiar chillout tempo, although the dreamy waves of sound on Some Men could hardly be more different from the jolly electro romp that is My Own Sun. The standout is TV Destroy, a twisted piece of synthesised head-nodding garage rock that while marking a significant departure from his previous work, does justice to the Air legacy.
WORLD
Mercan Dede
Breath (Doublemoon)
Chris Elwell-Sutton
Review: Simon Broughton
*****
The Turkish "digital" Sufi, Mercan Dede, has become a cult figure at festivals and clubs with his unique combination of haunting spiritual music and electronic beats. While his tracks have been mesmeric on the dancefloor, this disc is his first that really works as a listening experience. Mercan plays the ney flute which evokes the breath of life that God blew into man - and he's joined by guest vocalists and very fine Turkish musicians on clarinet, kanun (zither), kemençe fiddle and percussion. Skilled musicians, subtle electronics and sensitive production combine to make intricate and beautiful music of the soul. SIMON BROUGHTON
JAZZ
Diana Krall
From This Moment On (Universal)
Review: Jack Massarik
****
She wed composer Elvis Costello and got a few surprisingly downbeat songs off her chest, but now Diana Krall is back to doing what she does best - giving great standards a contemporary edge. There's a new maturity and relaxation about the Canadian icequeen's sensuous vocals and hip keyboard solos as she stretches out with a slick studio big-band and her regular touring quartet, featuring her most compatible guitarist so far, Anthony Wilson. No originals here, just a dozen all-time goodies.
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Okay so the first time I listened to Tah Dah I thought hmmm they've lost it however I am now on about the 4th pass and I have to say it's a real grower. I'm getting really into it and when I think about it so was the first album. Stick it out, they are still great!
- Helen Brown, Glasgow
I adore the new album, and I love the Scissor Sisters! They make my body move and they make me smile. 
I especially love "Kiss You Off" by Ana Matronic. Fabulous!
- Wendy, San Francisco, USA
Diana Krall has a beautiful voice, and this album showcases her brilliantly. There's nothing on this album that particularly stands out - it's all done at a brilliantly high standard - but it's great to put on at a low volume and chill out to with a glass of wine. If you've not heard Krall yet I urge you to!
- Laura, Wimbledon, London
I dislike the new Scissor Sisters album - it's overly camp, overly spangly, and the lyrics are rubbish. I Don't Feel Like Dancing is the best track on there, and even that is a bit much! I think the Scissor Sisters should leave the 70s disco stuff alone! If you want to listen to proper disco pick up a copy of a Bee Gees album: the original and best.
- Melina, Bromley
The new Scissor sisters album is not good at all it sounds terrible.
- Kafrim, London UK
