The year's most controversial release, Gaspar Noe's French frenzy (which unfolds backwards, like Memento) has been hammered for its scenes of rape and violence. His argument's that if you don't show them as ugly, you don't show the truth. However you react, there's no denying his visceral energy.

(ALSO RELEASED THIS MONTH)

Second full-lengther from Liverpool-via-Bradford quintet, its title inspired by a Bulgarian folk ditty

Fine funky follow-up to 2001's Felt Mountain

All-new cover versions from Bay Area power pop Vets

Possible final flurry from goth-punk legends

New release to celebrate ex-Can man's 65th birthday

Welcome compilation from passionate and expansive south Londoners

Ripples of excitement from Cleveland's neglected power pop masters

The Gentle Soul THE GENTLE SOUL BOTH SUNDAZED The Cyrkle's last outing was the soundtrack for a soft-porn spy movie. Made in 1967, it took another couple of years to get released, and by then must have sounded woefully dated, since what you get here is an uneasy blend of mid-'60s sounds:so-so beat group pop, bossa nova and surf instrumentals. Odd, but not quite odd enough. The Gentle Soul, however, are a find.