Sounds Like: Thick on low frequency modulation and high on sleazy disco brine, Zircon Gov Pawn Starz's debut is a cathartic exercise that runs deep into the punk tradition. Always confrontational, ZGPS is made up of X Ho, Yeow, and Sue Sue Law, who ask hard questions. Groovier than Atari Teenage Riot, smarter than Daft Punk, and crasser than the Sex Pistols, ZGPS will find favor with those who love Goldfrapp's romanticism and Kylie's kitsch.

You May Have Heard: After the demise of Transformer, award-winning radio deejay and music critic Chris Ho, with songwriting partner Yeow, formed Zircon Lounge in the early '80s. Their debut album Regal Vigor broke new ground with its incisive new wave and Ho's lyrical pose and prose. Always on the prowl for new challenges, the duo set off on solo careers in the late '80s. The '90s saw Ho taking on the moniker of X'Ho and diving into disco grime while Yeow headed down the muddy pop route. In the meantime, another radio deejay, Suzanne Walker, waited for her Sue Sue Law rock 'n' roll destiny.

We Fancy: As the Rolling Stones saying goes: "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well, you might find you get what you need." ZGPS are discarding the niceties by declaring proudly in their sleeve notes that they are "The Greatest Band You Don't Know You Need." They prove their point by addressing social compromises that ask questions of so-called democracies. And the answers are blatantly clear. On "Drop The Attitude F*#*!r," Sue Sue Law hits it home: "Oh Honey/ Just sign on the dotted line/ There's nothing better than being a Durian Star." On "Media Whore" her point gets sharper: "Oh be famous/ Oh be whore/ Oh be servile/ Just do your chore." If one still doesn't get the message, there's "Mouthless Fish" to remind one that Big Brother can "arm-lock you/ but you won't choke/ cos they know how to hold/ how much to grip/ how much to squeeze/ so you'll still live." Above all, there's pleasure to be found in the proto-industrial disco production cued in by dance-meisters Jason Tan and Case. Furthering the cause are collaborations with Chicks On Speed and industrial rock pioneer Peter Christopherson of Coil/Throbbing Gristle.

We're Not Sure About: Come Monday of every other week, the thought of working to "enjoy the scenery/ savor the luxury" ("Media Whore") and the tendency to discard Follywood as rant is very foolhardily tempting.

Verdict: Like money, ZGPS is a necessary evil. They'll give you the currency to perk up your conscience to a new Euro beat.

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