THIS is the sound of the former Boo Radleys singer trying to stay focused.

Where previous efforts have been let down by their jarring diversity, the latest is his most direct, accessible blend of pop and electronic music yet.

However, there is still a bewildering amount going on - the title track alone contains most several musical genres in its four minutes.

All Watched Over features a series of fine songs, displaying Martin Carr's natural melodic flair, and his less lovely adoration of Aphex Twin. Carr's singing has noticeably improved, melting the sang froid created by the battery of machines playing in the background.

Flow Machines is a great slice of Kraftwerk-style pop with an insistent chorus. It is the album's centrepiece, but Good Life may jostle with it at the top of the charts in a parallel universe. A weird, sometimes wonderful, album that deserves to cut through the static on the radio.

Updated: 08:50 Thursday, September 02, 2004