Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

Arbouretum- Coming Out of The Fog.
Great album, though maybe not quite up there with The Gathering or Songs of the Pearl. Arbouretum have developed such a distinctive sound its easy for their records to start sounding a bit samey. That said, this is their most condensed and focussed set; contains some of their heaviest songs and also their lightest, going from Loop soundalikes to almost country MOR. The title track falls into the latter camp, but it's also incredibly catchy and lovely.

Hookworms- Pearl Mystic.
Alright, not out till March but I blagged a promo. Anyone who's seen Hookworms live will have high expectations of their debut LP and it doesn't disappoint. A couple of slow songs throw curveballs but otherwise this is Hookworms echoey, psyche-funk-drone trip perfectly realised. Brilliant, album of the year so far.

Hacker Farm- U/H/F
Dark and noisy electronica played on home-made instruments by deceptively lovely gentlemen from Yeovil. Cabaret Voltaire, Throbbing Gristle, Coil by way of Demdike Stare, Mordant Music, Aphex and Plastikman and in some odd conceptual way, the KLF.