Tragi-comic genius' big-screen outings are period treats

Bryan Singer's faithful take on Marvel's merry mutants is probably the best superhero movie to date, due primarily to Hugh Jackman's grumpy Wolverine, Anna Paquin's fragile Rogue, a couple of class-act Shakespearean luvvies (Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen), some great SFX and David Hayter's fine script. Roll on the sequel!

Miss Kittin collaborator plots future of electro on his first commercially available mix disc

Her first major album in a decade, featuring Steve Earle, Sheryl Crow and father Johnny

Solo album from Giant Sand man recorded in Denmark

Eleventh LP from Michael Stipe's favourite singer-songwriter

Seminal '60s rockers spread wings again

Fall faves, and compelling collaborations with Badly Drawn Boy, Elastica et al

Historic but tragic live shows on two CDs

Bonkers funk group took R&B into space