Kevin Bryan delivers his verdict on some of this week's CD releases Jon Anderson,"1000 Hands" (Blue Elan Records)- Yes frontman Jon Anderson began work on "1000 Hands" almost thirty years ago, but a seemingly endless succession of touring commitments meant that the project remained on the back burner until the former Accrington milkman and revered prog rock icon finally felt the urge to complete his masterwork a few months ago.Anderson utilised the original lead vocals that he'd captured for posterity in the early nineties, with a whole host of rock luminaries providing the accomplished instrumental backdrop, including Yes bandmates Steve Howe and Alan White, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson and famed jazz fusion drummer Billy Cobham. The finished product is surprisingly accessible when you set it against some of the overtly complex creations that Jon has had a hand in over the years , with "Activate," "Now" and the epic "Come Up" emerging as three of the musical highlights.

Fontaines D.C.,"A Hero's Death" (Partisan Records)-Dublin's Fontaines D.C. were rightly acclaimed as a major addition to the indie rock firmament when their energised debut set,"Dogrel," emerged on the scene a year or so ago,and this eagerly anticipated follow up is,if anything, an even more impressive piece of work. Citing influences as diverse as The Beach Boys, Suicide and the late lamented Leonard Cohen Fontaines D.C. go about their business with a restrained urgency which finds its most compelling expression in absorbing vehicles for the talents of vocalist Grian Chatten and guitarist Conor Curley such as "Love Is The Main Thing" and the starkly memorable closer,"No."

Louisiana's LeRoux,"One of Those Days" (Gulf Coast Records)- "One of Those Days"finds this fine Baton Rouge outfit emerging from a ten year recording hiatus with their spirits refreshed and soulful vocalist Jeff McCarty and guitarists Jim Odom and Tony Haselden in particularly fine fettle throughout. This splendid offering represents a glorious throwback to the golden era of Southern Rock in the early seventies, when outfits such as the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd ruled the roost with their heady hybrid of blues, funk and country influences. "Don't Rescue Me," "Lifeline" and "New Orleans Ladies" capture the effortless essence of the eight piece band's inventive approach to music-making.