"Re-issue, re-package, re-package, re-evaluate the songs, Double-pack with a photograph, extra track and a tacky badge," as the dour man once did sing. As regular as Santa on laxatives, welcome ye annual collection from The Beatles.

** The Capitol Albums Vol.1** consists of The Beatles' first four US albums: Meet The Beatles, The Beatles' Second Album, Something New and Beatles '65. In stereo. The LPs had different names from the British releases but the songs were mainly the same, except on different records with a few b-sides. Whether you want to spend £40 on this lot will depend on how much you love The Beatles, how great your CD player is and of course how good a shoplifter you are. It's Christmas - the odds are good.

Most people won't notice the difference between these and the nasty mono ones you already own, but these shiny new stereo-stereo recordings DO sound better. Not THX digital-in-Jurassic-Park-better obviously, but if a girlfriend or cable man (both happened to me) nabbed your last lots of Beatles purchases, this pack is the perfect replacement.

And 'Any Time At All' in stereo really does help ease the pain of Glasto Macca. Bring on Vol.2.