Monkey Business

The album blasts off with an aptly named heart-pumper called "Pump It", and then smoothly slides into their first hit "Don't Phunk With My Heart", a dance floor conquering song. The next single may well be "My Style", thanks to the input of Justin Timberlake who was a lucky charm on the last album with "Where is the Love?"

The funniest song of the album is "My Humps", and another good one is "Dum Diddley" which adapts a Caribbean beat similar to Akon's "Belly Dancer". For a 70's trip down memory lane you can try "Feel It", and for a real old time funk experience you can't beat "They Don't Want Music" featuring the one and only James Brown.

Another interesting combination can be found on "Gone Going Gone" with Jack Johnson, and Sting's input on "Union" is unmistakable for anyone familiar with his "Englishman in New York".

Coming behind "Elephunk" this one does not disappoint, and is an "Audio Delite" at any fidelity.

Amanda Richards

The great thing about this album is that the first eight songs could all be released as singles and I'm certain they would all reach the Top 5. The quality is rife throughout the first eight tracks. Don't Phunk with my Heart is a classic single that stapled BEP's place in modern music history and the rest of the album follows the same laid-back beats such as 'My Style' (my personal favourite) and 'Don't Lie'.

Unfortunately, the rest of the album isn't as fantastic. Tracks like 'Audio Delite at Low Fidelity' are washed-up and left on the shore when compared to the beginning. And unfortunately the bitterness stays with you throughout the bonus tracks, despite them being above average.

However, this blip isn't enough to reduce your overall enjoyment of what is a cracking album, providing you like the theme of music. The niggle is ever evident unfortunately, and you can't help feeling better spacing of the tracks woul dhave amounted to a better package.

I'll slap 4 stars on this despite my inner heart tempting me to wipe a star off simply because the potential is there - just misplaced.

It's a must buy for any Black Eyed Peas fan - or anyone who liked the recent singles for that matter - but if you didn't then steer clear.