The Guide offers a critical view of what's hot for the coming week.

Thunder, Brighton Dome, Friday, January 27
- Thunder believe we are seeing a resurgence of rock music and we have The Darkness to thank for it. It's a whole new generation. If you like The Darkness, you'll like Thunder as well, Thunder frontman Danny Bowes says. With this in mind, the Nineties rock band are back on the road and in the studio, with a new album, The Magnificent Seventh, released, which even produced a top 30 single. Record labels have not shared their comeback enthusiasm, however, forcing the band to take matters into their own hands, using the internet and new methods of distribution to get their records back in the charts. Starts 7.30pm, tickets £18.50. Call 01273 709709.

Clearlake, Brass Monkey, Hastings, Friday, January 27
- Brighton's whimsical pop-rockers release their third album, Amber, this week, which promises to heighten their already enviable reputation. The album is a simpler and louder affair than previous offerings and is said to be their strongest album yet. Produced by frontman Jason Pegg, with Steve Osborne (U2, Happy Mondays, KT Tunstall) recording it became an epic mission, leading them across eight studios in the France and UK. A huge cult favourite and currently going down a storm in the States, Clearlake count Jarvis Cocker and The Delgados among their fans and were once asked to support the late Elliot Smith. They also play the Freebutt on Feb 5, supporting The Crimea. Starts 10am, tickets £3/£5, call 01424 442406.

The Waterboys, The Dome, Brighton, Thursday, February 2
- Since Mike Scott reformed The Waterboys in 2000 (after ten years away and two disastrous solo albums) the band have been encouraged by successful tours in both England and Ireland. The results of their 2003 and 2004 tours is Karma To Burn, the band's first ever live album. It highlights the many sides of The Waterboys folk, rock 'n' roll, pop and soul, and was received with interest by the likes of Radio 2. Determined not to be a forgotten talent, Scott's muse has continually driven him to new projects and he has often been accused of melodrama and pretension. But it seems his return to the band has settled him for now. Starts 8pm, tickets £18. Call 01273 709709.