ALBUMS; MUSIC.(Features)

Byline: GAVIN MARTIN

MARILYN MANSON Eat Me, Drink Me **

Dame Brian's pretensions to embody some beautiful but horrible American Ideal will not quit. It started with his name and continues here on album too many as the Cracked Actor. Left almost alone in his haunted Hollywood house after the departure of wife Dita Von Teese, he gets jiggy with Alice In Wonderland and the German guy who arranged to be cannibalised on the Internet. Wouldn't it have been more shocking if he'd done a concept album on Alan Titchmarsh? Sounds tired. Pass the mouthrinse.

IAN HUNTER Shrunken Heads ****

Mott The Hoople man Hunter was one of the most timely - and timelessly influential - voices in 70s Britrock. Long resident in America, his 32-year solo career is studded with gems - and Shrunken Heads, where he's aided and abetted by a truly incendiary band, is a bit special. Calling on all the resources of his past, Hunter's songs are both reflective and anthemic - tackling the political and social landscape with the dry wit, irony and invective of a true rock 'n' roll thoroughbred.

PERRY FARRELL'S SATELLITE PARTY Ultra Payloaded ***

Like Marilyn Manson, Jane's Addiction leader Farrell is no stranger to the wild side of life. These days, he's a clap happy save-the-world hippy rather than a quasi-freakish sex athlete seemingly on the verge of turning into Peggy Farrell. The spirit of Prince, Sly Stone, glam and protest rockers fuel Farrell's latest - and quite possibly greatest - spectacle. It crosses the hinterland from cowboy cool to desert psychedelia. Turn up, tune in and turn it up some more.

STAR RATINGS: ***** Must listen to at all cost ****Very good ***Average **Poor *Save your money