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KANYE WEST — 808s & HEARTBEAK (Roc-A-Fella): Apparently, Kanye West has grown weary of hip hop as he finds it too easy to make and this album sees the birth of a whole new genre of music, which he calls Pop Art. Leaving aside the fact that I’m sure I’ve heard that term before somewhere, 808s doesn’t really seem like that radical a departure for Kanye. He sings — rather than raps — more on this album than on any of its predecessors but, other than that, it’s pretty much business as usual. I was hoping that Kanye’s new direction might mean he would lose the annoying vocoder vocal effect that has been a trademark of his work so far, but I’m sad to say that it’s present on practically every track here. My favourite track is the sinister See You in My Nightmares, featuring guest artist Lil Wayne turning in a typically deranged guest rap.

RUBELLA BALLET — ANARCHY IN THE U.V. (Overground): Anarchist punks Rubella Ballet are probably most fondly remembered for shunning the traditional all-black garb sported by Crass and their ilk, preferring to dress in ultraviolet day-glo instead. This album is an overview of their work and includes Ballet Bag — originally a cassette-only release — and their At Last It’s Playtime albums. Although the production is undeniably ropey in places — especially on the Ballet Bag tracks, which feature drums that sound like someone kicking a dustbin throughout — it still sounds exciting and original. Singer Zillah sounds similar to Siouxsie Sioux at times, but the band’s lyrical themes are far more political than the Banshees ever were. Although flawed in places, this serves as a welcome reminder that there was more to the second wave of punk than Mohicans and glue bags.Read

THIS week’s video sees Alnwick band The Tuckers castigating their home town using the medium of song, the song in question being Same Old Streets. Their clip features the most hilariously blatant product placement that I’ve ever seen in a music video. Watch it yourself at www.sundaysun/ettvid and see if you can guess exactly which local booze producers are involved with The Tuckers.

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TOMORROW advent calendars tell us to look forward. Yet ultimately the future means our death so let’s not see December 1 as 24 days to go, rather just enjoy it. Live for the moment — Rev Paul Walker, St Luke’s Hospital, Middlesbrough.

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TOMORROW advent calendars tell us to look forward. Yet ultimately the future means our death so let’s not see December 1 as 24 days to go, rather just enjoy it. Live for the moment — REV PAUL WALKER, St Luke’s Hospital, Middlesbrough.

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Golden Balls for the Wii comes up short

Game: Golden Balls From: Mindscape For: Wii (review), Nintendo DS Price: £29.99 Rating: 3+ Out: NowFor: Wii (review), Nintendo DS Price: £29.99 Rating: 3+ Out: NowRead

Will Young on his celebrity

WHEN Will Young was crowned Pop Idol in 2002, no one looked more surprised than Will.Read

Undefined Headline

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More than a headache

ALTHOUGH there was some welcome news for the UK’s millions of migraine sufferers recently, any cure for the crippling headaches and their side effects appears a long way off.Read

Take some time out . . you’re worth it

DO you — hand on heart — take enough time out for yourself?Read

LINDSAY LOHAN has a tip for the LA paparazzi . . . get up with the larks.

Complaining about them, she said: “They’re always outside the house, whether the cops ask them to not be there or not. They should get a lot of shots in the beginning of the day, and then leave me alone.”Read

A trip down memory lane with 80s musicians

THE stars of retro pop show Now That’s What I Call 1983 have revealed how the past has caught up with them.Read

THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN’S Mark Gatiss has two responsibilities in the drama Murder Every Monday. Darlington-born Mark adapted the radio production from Pamela Branch’s novel and also plays one of the parts.

Also in the play is Guisborough’s Mark Benton . . . he of Nationwide TV ad fame.Read

Absent father sparks baby bother

EASTENDERS: Roxy goes into premature labour . . . but Sean is nowhere to be seen.Read

Maddy fans: make Prior engagement

THERE is not one, not two, but three treats for fans of folk singer Maddy Prior, pictured, and her group Steeleye Span.Read

CELEBS HEAD BACK INTO THE JUNGLE

TV’S toughest celebrity challenge returns for its eighth series tonight.Read

Clone BBC3

THE League of Gentlemen’s Mark Gatiss adds to his repertoire of odd characters in the new drama Clone.Read

Revolution in cancer care for North children

THE Sunday Sun has thrown its weight behind the Great North Baton Challenge, the Children’s Foundation’s bid to raise £1m for specialist equipment at the Great North Children’s Hospital which is expected to open next year. PAULINE HOLT talks to two teenage patients who could benefit.Read

Brothers torn apart

TWO brothers who were cruelly torn apart when they were children have been reunited after 67 years.Read

Martin Shaw gets in some acting exorcise for new role in Apparitions

MARTIN SHAW takes on a new role as an exorcist in the supernatural drama Apparitions.Read

Ian Hislop asks whether we should honour those who refused to fight in the First World War?

IN a special edition of the war tribute series Not Forgotten, journalist and broadcaster Ian Hislop explores a controversial topic.Read

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