Fridae

As Ms Scary would like to opine, Sharleen Spiteri, lead singer of Glasgow band Texas, is one of the rare few female beings who is able to induce a frothing fit in any lavender-blooded lesbian just by being in the same room.

Given Ms Scary's weakness for Ms Spiteri and her generally excitable state, she almost committed a social faus pax when, after espying Texas' brand new album entitled Careful What You Wish For on the shelves of HMV, she nearly wets herself.

Featuring collaborations with legendary producer Trevor Horn, Spike Stent (Madonna), Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams), Ian Broudie of The Lightning Seeds and underground dancehall crew Suncycle, Careful What You Wish For fuses the band's signature soul-flavoured sounds with rock and dance-pop to create one of their best albums after White On Blonde (1996) and The Hush (1999).

As the first single off the album, "Carnival Girl" is vintage Texas pop and showcases Canadian Kardinal Offishall's ragga rappings as well as a catchy hum-along chorus that sounds uncannily like ATB's "Caravan of Love."

With the sultry vocals of the gorgeous mother-of-one at the forefront, Careful What You Wish For traipses gaily through neo-punk in "Telephone X," dancefloor pop in "Place In My World," New Order-ish sounds in "And I Dream" and harmonica-fuelled folk in "Big Sleep."

Particularly noteworthy are the slow-burning ballad "See It Through" featuring strings stolen from Aerosmith's "Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" (minus Steve Tyler's trouser-too-tight screechings), "Careful What You Wish For" with its unique electro-style vocals and retro-feel handclaps, and "Another Day" poignant with country-styled guitar twangs.

As a parting note, Ms Scary will have you know that the luscious Ms Spiteri rejected the lead role in Moulin Rouge (which eventually went to Nicole Kidman) and was once voted "Person Most Wanted at PRIDE" - ahead of Madonna and Kylie.

With such unanimous approval from the gay and lesbian community, how much more convincing do you need? Grab your handbag and go buy the album!