Needles - Dianne

While Buddy Holly has been keenly used as a reference point, bespectacled Needles singer Dave Dixon owes more to look-alike Elvis Costello's sneering lasciviousness on this bubblegum punk declaration of passion. There is no attempt to break new ground here; this is exuberant pop from a band clearly in love with the Ramones' three-chord headlong rushes, with a spiky guitar sound pinched from Bloc Party to bring things bang up to date. (Iain Radcliffe)