1 Urban Hymns THE VERVE

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1 Urban Hymns THE VERVE

Tune into a commercial pop station these days and you get either blatant laddism and Mike and the Mechanics or cosy chats and Celine Dion. Sexual stereotyping attracts advertisers but produces cringe-makingly awful radio, says Matthew Sweet

1 Urban Hymns VERVE

1 Let's Talk About Love Celine Dion

1 Spiceworld SPICE GIRLS

1 Perfect Day Various

1 Let's Talk About Love

top 10 singles

Various Artists

The Fall

When the official programmes stall doubles as a binocular sales point, you know you've come to see a megastar. The fact that Celine (like Madonna, like Mariah, she's now big enough to be referred to solely by her first name) can sell out two nights at Earl's Court at pounds 30 a ticket is an even more obvious status-indicator.

Those oh-so-sassy young things, the Spice Girls, continue to zigazig their way to the bank, monopolising the New Year Number One spots. But with competition like this collection of Christmas leftovers (Fugees apart), who can complain?