Fronted by the enigmatic Brian Molko - androgynous rock god extraordinaire - the band bring forth this unwilling monster; all stacatto guitar and metalworks' drums. Molko's distinctive vocals tell a tale of role reversal and sexual politics in this searing and spectacular slew of lava. Sleazy ("fifty pound, press my button - going down") and disturbing (the "eyeholes in a paper bag" line), this is a complex, angry and energetic song: and a powerhammer to the head.

B-sides - from both CDs. First up the blistering "Slackerbitch", a twisted and bitter tale of dumb groupiedom set over the band's typically razor-sharp guitar. Next comes the cover of The Smiths' "Bigmouth Strikes Again" - a pretty faithful take that builds until it self-destructs. Closing the first CD is "Hug Bubble", a claustrophobic and ponderous mix of an unknown song.

CD2 contains the "Sex Mix" of "Nancy Boy" - this is the version they did on TOTP. Sparser, simpler and dirtier than the Radio Edit, this leaves you gasping. Next up is "Eyesight To The Blind", an acoustic angsty number. "Swallow" - a drums & bass remix of an album track - comes next. Fairly unrecognisable, it is nevertheless good. Closing the collection is "Miss Moneypenny", with its bluesy, bone-shaking guitar, making this an interesting and varied release from Placebo.

Standout of course is the title track: this is the hardest "Nancy Boy" you will ever encounter.

Rating: 10/10

Some sterling guitar work underpins this song; a slow burner that allows Damon to drawl his way through the vocals. Quoted as saying he's a lot happier with this kind of material than "Parklife", I tend to agree. "English Slacker" might be the wrong term to use, but it's more eclectic, more adventurous, and far less irritating than the band have been in a long time. Fading out over some distorted guitar and feedback, "Beetlebum" is a lacksadaisical two-fingers to the current Britpop scene.

B-sides. "All Your Life" is in a similar vein to the a-side, with its brooding guitar and slow pace. More tuneful than "Beetlebum", it has a sort of drugged-up, punky Kinks feel to it. There's some absolutely bonkers guitar in there too (goes with the lyrics well...) "A Spell (For Money)" closes the first CD and is one of those instruMENTAL tracks that Blur seem fond of putting on their b-sides. Sonic Youth, Can, Stereolab and the theme from the bleeding Clangers collide head-on as various kitchen implements bleep in the background.

The second CD has a remix of the title track on it (spot the difference - I couldn't), a two-minute affecting falsetto novelty ("Woodpigeon Song"), and "Dancehall" a drunken collision of a track that brings The Fall to mind.

This is Blur on top-form. It will alienate a lot of fans looking for more singalong high jinks, but with this stuff the band prove themselves to be on the cutting edge. "Blur" (the forthcoming LP) should be a tasty treat...

Rating: 9/10

"Dolce & Gabbana Or Nowt" on the b-side is a strange beast; a high-speed waltz through Rossiter's angst-filled mind. "Wasteland", the other extra track is an upbeat high-energy stomp through glamdom.

Rating: 8/10

The first b-side (I bought both CDs again - you can tell I just got paid) is "Farmer", quite reminiscent of "Gorgeous". Next up is that song itself - a mellow and smoky acoustic version. Last extra track is "Oh What A Beautiful Day", a rhythmic and effects-laden track that never really goes anywhere.

The second CD's extra tracks are "Bad Shave 3", a slow track worthy of Radiohead; "Cooling Towers" which sounds too much like David Essex, although it gets down and gets funky; and "Amtrak", a sonic experiment that wants to be Spacemen 3 but doesn't get off the ground.

"Candy Girl" is sweet enough to warrant a good mark though.

Rating: 8/10

The video for this is well cool though: like Toy Story on acid.

B-sides, as befits an experimental band, are varied. "Vote You" sounds as though its from the soundtrack of an old Disney cartoon - it is a fine thing. "A Part I Know So Well" is like the Boos of old (i.e. 1989); soundscapes and effects. Almost shimmering cathedrals of sound, but not quite. Last b-side is the menacing dub remix of "Everything Is Sorrow"; like a slightly wimpy Tricky.

A varied and commendable offering.

Rating: 7/10