SOME sound advice before buying this CD: don't leave it lying around at your mother's house.

Its front cover shows a naked man aggressively clutching his privates, while the inner sleeve has an array of expletives and sexual suggestions. Quite why is never explained.

Sonic Mook Experiment (SME) started in 1997 as a series of alternative club nights in London. Founder Sean McClusky brought together the new breed of high-powered rock and roll bands and dirty electronic acts emerging from the UK and USA scenes.

This is the second SME compilation, featuring the best of the bands to have regularly played the nights. By and large, it's very disappointing. The unusual band names, including The Toes, Joan of Ass and Fat Truckers, are the most interesting aspect.

Clinic's Walking With Thee is a disappointing, warped stab at The Doors, while Troubled Mind by The Buff Medways is a poor man's Clash. The Hives' Hate To Say I Told You So is the one shining moment.

If this is the future of rock and roll, we should all be worried.

Updated: 09:53 Thursday, June 27, 2002