We've seen a few lists over the last couple of weeks, but what's been happening in the meantime? Here's a few of the recent releases we've missed out on from the last month or so.

Coldplay - Prospekt's March EP: Considering it took them the best part of three years to come up with a follow-up to 2005's X&Y, it's amazing Coldplay have managed to get together an eight-track EP of new material just a few months after releasing their last album. Well, on the surface, at least. Three of the songs here are slight variations on songs taken from Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends - Life In Technicolour II is the same as the first version, with added lyrics and Lovers In Japan has been remixed, while Lost now boasts a rather terrific guest rap from Chris Martin's homeboy Jay-Z. The brand new tracks, however, are all worthy additions to the Coldplay canon, especially Glass Of Water and Now My Feet Won't Touch The Ground.

Rating 8/10 (Review by Andy Welch)

Various - Hardcore Nation 2009: No, it's not 1992. Hardcore is still around, and refuses to die. This three-CD compilation, mixed by genre superstars Stu Allan and Joey Riot, features some of the biggest names in hardcore and is brought to us by two of dance music's most famous labels, Positiva and Nukleuz. It's hard to imagine who still likes this music, though.

Unlike other styles, it doesn't feature on TV, mainstream radio or appear in magazines, and is seemingly kept alive by specialist clubs, and boy racers in Vauxhall Corsas. There are tracks here by Guru Josh Project, who reached No 3 in the charts earlier in the year, and Scandi-poppers Alphabeat also feature, their track Fascination given a fuzzy makeover.

Really though, it's all too much of a muchness to get worked up about.

Rating 5/10 (Review by Andy Welch)

Belle And Sebastian - BBC Sessions: Formed in 1996 and dubbed the 'Greatest Scottish band ever,' Belle And Sebastian have long been the indie kids' twee band of choice.

This 14-track selection, taken from BBC radio session between 1996 and 2001, is carefully and perfectly chosen, providing an ideal starting point for anyone out there keen to embrace the Scots' brand of bookish pop.

The quality of both the recordings and performances is fantastic, not differing much from the studio versions, yet maintaining a distinctly 'live' feel at the same time. Isobel Campbell, who left the band in 2001, sings a beautiful goodbye with Nothing In The Silence, a song so fragile you fear playing it loudly will damage it.

It's not quite a new album, but there's plenty here to keep us amused until the next offering.

Rating 8/10 (Review by Andy Welch)

Various - Classic Rock: You want classic rock? You got classic rock. This three-CD compilation, released just in time for Christmas, covers all bases, from Queen and Kiss at the camper end of rock, through metal artists such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Pantera, and on to more recent acts such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Darkness and Radiohead, who sound dreadfully out of place here.

There are one or two odd choices, and two, yes TWO Nickelback songs on one compilation is a heinous crime. Anyone looking to dip their toe in classic rock will be happy, this has some of the most iconic songs the genre has to offer, but for any existing mulleted fans out there, don't bother - you'll have everything here already.

Rating 6/10 (Review by Andy Welch)

Various - Michael Parkinson: My Life In Music: The Great American Songbook isn't actually a book full of songs. It's the catch-all term for the wonderfully timeless songs - now referred to as 'standards' written in America between about 1920 and the advent of rock 'n' roll in the early '50s.

Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, Gershwin and Harold Arlin are just a few of the names associated with the mythical 'book', which links Hollywood, Broadway and songwriting houses such as Tin Pan Alley.

All the big names are represented here on this collection compiled by Sir Michael Parkinson, who admits in the liner notes that: "These songs are the lullabies of my infancy." Anyone familiar with the famous Yorkshireman's Sunday-morning Radio Two programme won't be surprised by the contents, which include Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, Count Basie, Mel Torme and the more contemporary Diana Krall, Jamie Cullum and Michael Buble.

Cuts from Sting, Chris Rea and Carly Simon, however, sound totally out of place.

Rating 7/10 (Review by Andy Welch)

Fallout Boy - Folie A Deux: Having become firmly established as one of the Emo prefects, the boys, including tabloid favourite Pete Wentz, return with their fifth album.

If you liked the previous releases the chances are you'll like this - even if I Don't Care does sound remarkably like Spirit in the Sky. Tracks like She's My Winona are catchy and will have you humming along. Unfortunately a lot of these songs are instantly disposable, and you have to question whether even the most ardent emo fan will still be listening to them in the future.

They may contain anthems perfect for singing along to at their gigs, but there's perhaps not enough depth to go along with them.

Rating 4/10

(Review by Polly Weeks) Ferry Corsten - Twice In A Blue Moon: Ferry Corsten, also known as System F, is a dance producer and trance pioneer from Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Twice In A Blue Moon is his third album, and his first since 2006's well-received LEF. Ferry kicks things off with the atmospheric Shelter Me, although the addition of vocals on followings tracks Black Velvet and We Belong offer nothing.

He's better with pulsing, trance-heavy instrumentals, such as the title track and Brain Box. Twice In A Blue Moon is solid collection, although whether it can be fully appreciated at home, not in some cavernous superclub, is highly unlikely.

Rating 5/10 (Review by Andy Welch)

Common - Universal Mind Control: There was a time when Common was the saviour of hip-hop. When, in 1994, he made a point of rejecting the money/violence/sex hip-hop route on the single I Used To Love HER, fans of music worldwide were united in their appreciation for someone reclaiming the roots of the genre.

Fast-forward to 2008 and he seems to have lost his direction somewhat. There are a couple of good songs on the album:

Make My Day featuring Cee-Lo and Everywhere featuring Martina Topley-Bird are instantly likeable. However, what remains are lacklustre tunes which could easily be b-sides on Kanye West and Pharrell singles.

In one way you feel bad for Common - with such successful albums to begin with, there's a lot of expectation riding on his shoulders but perhaps it's time for a little bit more creativity.

Rating 4/10 (Review by Polly Weeks)

Wiley - See Clear Now: Wiley, or Richard Kylea Cowie as he's never called, is a London rapper, and along with former protege and rival Dizzee Rascal pioneered grime, a spin-off of the UK garage scene of the late '90s.

See Clear Now, Wiley's third album, is undoubtedly his most commercial yet, with samples and guest vocalists around every corner. It also features Wearing My Rolex, his surprise No 2 single from earlier in the year. See Clear Now is an unashamed attempt to reach the mainstream, and who can blame him?

No one really listened to his first two albums, or past work with Roll Deep Crew. Proof of the chart ambition rears its head in the shape of Mark Ronson, who produces some of the tracks here, adding customary brass, and Hot Chip, who feature on Step By Step.

It's still a good record, but there's a distinct sound of compromise throughout.

Rating 6/10 (Review by Andy Welch)

Various - Rough Trade: Counter Culture 08: One of the most well respected indie labels out there release a two-CD album full of the best new indie music out there. From Chris Corsano, who sounds just like he's tapping some empty milk bottles, to Yo Majesty with their own new take on hip-hop, and the highly respected Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Vivian Girls - it's quite a mix.

The choice of tracks is quite eclectic; it's as if several music enthusiasts have compiled wish lists for their perfect mixtapes, and they've all been muddled into one.

At times distracting, ever so slightly pretentious, but addictive all the same.

Rating 7/10 (Review by Polly Weeks)

SINGLES Reviews by Andy Welch

Sugababes - No Can Do With a sample from 'Sweet' Charles Sherrell's Yes Its You, and tight three-part harmonies, it sounds like Sugababes have gone all Motown for this release. It suits them, too.

Keane - Perfect Symmetry Keane's third album is about their best yet, and this title track distils everything that's great about it into one song. There are nods to Queen and Talking Heads, glorious harmonies and a sublime chorus, yet it's unmistakably Keane. Well done!

The Leisure Society - Last Of The Melting Snow It's the most wonderful time of the year, so it's just a shame modern Christmas music is so bland and dominated by X Factor winners.

This song, by nine-strong collective The Leisure Society, is a good old-fashioned festive joy, more lovely than snow on a Christmas morning.