Former Stranglers front-man Hugh Cornwell has recorded his best solo record to date. Play the album a few times and you will be hooked.

Land Of 1000 Kisses, Cadiz and Beauty On The Beach are excellent, along with 24/7 and Mr Big. Best of all is The Story Of Harry Power, the tale of an Australian outlaw who taught the famous Ned Kelly all he knew. There is no fall out from Cornwell's punk era; instead this is superb, intelligent song writing.

Fellow punk old boy Wreckless Eric found fame on the famous Stiff label in the Seventies. Since then he has been an alcoholic, been bankrupt and spent time in a mental institution. Now back from his nine-year exile in France, he plays almost every instrument in a most diverse album that goes from punk to funk and dance to jazz. It will, however, appeal only to his cult following.

Updated: 08:58 Thursday, January 20, 2005