British Sea Power - Carrion/Apologies To Insect Life (Rough Trade)

Carrion is by no means the best track they could have chosen, but it works well as a single with its central refrains "I felt the lapping of the ebbing tide" and "always the same". It is occasionally reminiscent of Major Tom-era David Bowie or early Pulp, but with Yan's breathy vocals distinctive in their own right. Apologies To Insect Life, meanwhile, is a whirlwind, its ecstatic shouts and big bass line closer to Manchester in the late 1970s than Brighton.

With two majestic, down-tempo B-sides, including the instrumental Heavenly Waters, this single will raise British Sea Power's profile even higher.