Notebook Letters 7.

It's amazing to observe the wailing and gnashing of teeth from the iPod generation over Metallica's new album supposedly being mastered at too loud a volume. "Ooh, it's all nasty and distorted, sob." Round our way that's called rock. Garion

I can't wait until December to see Kings of Leon live. They're awesome, and why their home country has only just started to appreciate them is beyond me. Ryan Macleod

The Void; Teletext page 827; 20th of September, 2008; 4/7.

Girls Aloud's new single is one of the most perfect pop songs of the year. The Promise is very "now," but it has a nice twist to it. They're The Beatles of girlbands; long may they continue to reign in a realm full of passionless pop. Kirkland Ciccone

Was the man who knocked Noel Gallagher off stage in Canadian one of those brainwashed sleeper assassins? If so, does that mke him The Mancunian Candidate? Scumbag Gav

The Void; Teletext page 827; 20th of September, 2008; 5/7.

John Lydon appearing in a butter advert is proof that you can't spell pillock without Pil. Rob Taylor

It's generous of Marillion to give their new album as a download. But are their fans miffed, as the band took pre-orders for the past year, so the misguided fans financed an album that's being given away to everyone else? Still, they only had to pay £10, or £3o for the deluxe edition. Hippies, doncha just love 'em. DJ Gordy

The Void; Teletext page 827; 20th of September, 2008; 6/7.

Mogwai/ The Hawk Is Howling

Reviews by John Earls

Returning to the lengthy majesty of earlier work, Mogwai also stick to instrumentals again.

Not that this is safe ground, even if i Love You re-interprets Know Jesus by extending riffs into the ether.

But the pummelling Batcat and 20-minute closing triptych are proud experiments, the opposite of empty bombast. A series of intricate hymnals that batter and caress with equal strength. 8/10

1/6.

Kings of Leon/ Only By The Night

Written so that they'd have new songs to play while headlining Glastonbury, you can tell they had one eye on festivals and stadiums.

While it resembles California Waiting, the wonderful S*x On Fire is misleading, a rare return here to their early youthful vigour.

Several songs are too epic: Caleb Followill's voice is stronger, but the music lacks intimacy.

2/6.

Kings of Leon/ Only By The Night

The middle of the album is ponderous, the likes of 17 and Revelry striving for The Joshua Tree and forgetting to pack any hooks along the way.

When it works, the balladry is impressive. Use Somebody is a dream festival closer, and Cold Desert a grandiose distillation of desolation.

It's so everyman, it'll doubtless achieve their aim of making their bigger: but not necessarily better. 6/10

3/6.

Jenny Lewis/ Acid Tongue 6/10

Chris Robinson and She & Him are among many guests on the Rilo Kiley singer's second solo album.

elvis Costello burbles happily on cute film noir duet Carpetbaggers, while See Fernando is a magnificent euphoric holler, as celebratory as any Kiley.

While the last seven songs are superb country-pop with trademark erudite lyrics, it takes a while to get going, early songs anonymous Nashville fare.

4/6.

TV On The Radio/ Dear Science

Ornery and cussed individuals beset by rumours of in-fighting, the quintet would have been forgiven for making an awkward album to lessen the spotlight.

Not a bit of it. They've made their boldest album, confident modern pop in which David Sitek's famed percussive production is the bedrock for varied, imperious vocals.

Tunde Adebimpe is the stentorian MC to Kyp Malone's soulful counterpoint.

5/6.

TV On The Radio/ Dear Science

Adebimpe is so in tune with the military rhythms, he's like a human drum on Red Dress and the male MIA clatter of Golden Age.

Malone is a mix of traditional soul and something more haunting, a ghostly sigh that fits the more spare, dubby songs.

Dancing Choose is the absolute high, their first all-out pop song, but the album is a superb celebration of where music can go next. 9/10

6/6.

Teletext page 824; 20th of September, 2008.

After the mention of Frasier Chorus in great lost bands, I notice their album Sue has been reissued with B-sides and such. Although there's no sign of them getting back together, at least a few youngsters might get to hear their music for the first time. In a similar spirit, if I mention how brilliant Fatima Mansions were, do you think they might materialise after years of silence? Rod Barton

The Void; Teletext page 827; 22nd of September, 2008; 1/7.

Good to see Earls give a passing bit of praise to VV Brown in Sound Patrol after her later show. I saw her at Glastonbury and she was as much fun as it was possible to have at a festival without getting naked in mud. I hope her exuberance is taken on its own terms, anyone who compares her to Amy Winehouse deserves a slap. Amy Winehouse deserves a slap. Kerry Neill

I wish I hadn't seen Carla Bruni on Later. It feels wrong to have impure thoughts about a President's wife. Kune

The Void; Teletext page 827; 22nd of September, 2008; 2/7.

To answer the Voider wondering about where to start on Yo La Tengo, Painful and Electr-O-Pura are both excellent. Richard Milne

With 11 albums, Yo La Tengo's back catalogue can look daunting, especially as they've never released a bad album. i Can Hear The Heart Beating As One is eclectic, but probably the best starting point as it showcases so many of their styles. They're still going strong, as Beat Your *ss Shows. TaDa

The Void; Teletext page 827; 22nd of September, 2008; 3/7.

I can't believe how good Kings of Leon keep getting. S*x On Fire and Crawl are ace. Plus, they put the graft in, unlike most bands who take a three-year-break between albums. They were the best band on this year's festival circuit. The Boogie Pirate

Who on earth buys Basshunter? Are you deranged? Please explain what there is to like, we won't ridicule you. Paul, Hailsham

The Void; Teletext page 827; 22nd of September, 2008; 4/7.