Cornershop

These Londoners’ mash-up of Southeast Asian elements and hummable Brit pop made them one of the best left-field bands of the Nineties. On their first album in eight years, leader Tjinder Singh sounds easygoing even as he grouses about war and the music biz. His tunes pack in little charms ”“ from clarinets to Stones riffs to Buddy Holly harmonies. On ”˜Free Love,’ ambient hum and Indian melody combine for psych-rock beauty, and the 16-minute closer, ”˜The Turned On Truth,’ blends sitar and soul divas. Singh sounds a little more blissed out than before ”“ but every bit as appealing.

Key Tracks: ”˜Free Love,’ ”˜Who Fingered Rock ’n’ Roll’