Some Oasis alternatives ...

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

While those Britrock stalwarts wait - or trawl the net - and wonder if the next Oasis album might be any good, there's always these offerings by less celebrated British bands to be going on with.

The Electric Soft Parade are multi-instrumentalist brothers Tom and Alex White whose debut album is an ambitious work of shiny pop psychedelia. Among its dozen tracks are a kaleidoscopic epic or two (the opener, Start Again), many a wistful jangle with fraternal harmonies (Sleep Alone), a couple of low-slung rockers (Why Do You Try So Hard to Hate Me, Biting the Soles of My Feet) and some moments when the pair put down the guitars and just dabble atmospherically but melodically on what happens to be at hand.

While the songs sometimes get swamped in the sonic extravagance, it's hard not to be impressed at the overall results, especially if you're someone with a hankering for the likes of Supergrass or the dearly departed Boo Radleys.

Meanwhile, moody Mancunians the Doves' debut, Lost Souls, emerged as one of the great albums of 2000 for its heavy-hearted, majestic brand of guitar rock.

Unfortunately, the follow-up feels not quite as towering an achievement. It's certainly big on grand, pastoral, effects-heavy jangle, managing to recall, at various times, both the Stone Roses (on the slow-burning There Goes The Fear) and mid-period XTC (on Friday's Dust) - both of which are very good things.

But while it evokes quite an atmosphere, especially with the aid of some cathedral-sized Pink Floydian passages around the edges, the mood tends to overload the songs. That's apart from the aforementioned tracks as well as yet another ode to the Big Apple, N.Y., and the last track, Caught By The River, a hearty anthem with the sort of exuberance you can only hope Oasis manage on their forthcoming album.

The Electric Soft Parade: Holes In The Wall

Label: BMG

(Herald rating: * * * * )

The Doves: The Last Broadcast

Label: Heavenly

(Herald rating: * * * )