CD reviews by Nick Cole: Caitlin Rose - Dinosaur Jr - Screaming Maldini - Skunk Anansi

THE STAND-IN” – CAITLIN ROSE (Names): The long awaited follow up album from 25-year-old Caitlin Rose who is back with some old pals in Nashville. As usual the singer is brimming with confidence and tracks like When I’m Gone take the listener on a beautifully-wrought roller-coaster. Favourite track is a classic ragtime number called Old Numbers. 7/10.

I BET ON SKY” – DINOSAUR JR (Play It Again Sam): At one time Dinosaur Jnr were at the forefront of the American grunge explosion along with Nirvana. More than two decades later singer J Mascis and his musicians have moved into a world of hard-core jangle- pop, country and speed metal. But tracks like Pierce The Morning Rain prove the Dinosaurs remain supreme when it comes to teenage – or rather middle-aged – angst. 7/10.

Caitlin Rose - The Stand-in

SCREAMING MALDINI” – SCREAMING MALDINI (Ankama Music): The Sheffield sextet fronted by Nick Cox spent two years putting their debut album together – and they have done a cracking job. Tracks like Summer Somewhere and the Silver Mountain are finely written and produced. At times the influence of The Beatles shines through, but that’s no bad thing – 8/10.

BLACK TRAFFIC” - SKUNK ANANSIE (Boogooyamma): This is the band’s third album since 2009 when they got together yet again. Front woman Skin, Ace, Cass and Robbie are as aggressive as in their London hey-days. It’s the usual savage mix about love, lies and politics. The Skunks have also formed their own record label to prove they are nobody’s gofers. 8/10.