The singles collection

Reviews by Paul White, Jack Foley & Simon Pinion

INDIELONDON is proud to present its rundown of the singles we have been listening to over recent weeks, complete with release dates, our verdict, and a link to buy them (just click on the record cover).

MONDAY, MARCH 31:

THE ROOTS - THE SEED:
Regarded in many circles as the greatest ever live hip-hop band, Philadelphia's legendary crew, The Roots, follow up their Brixton date (on Saturday last) with this belter of a single, taken from the universally-acclaimed fifth studio album, Phrenology. The Seed (2.0) features an appearance from Cody ChesnuTT and is one of the funkiest, downright feelgood tracks of the year so far, with its raw beat and excellent guitar rifts. Instantly catchy, and hopelessly addictive, this is the type of track that you can't help but shuffle your feet to. Needless to say, it stands head and shoulders above anything else that's released this week, and is our single of the week. Click here to order Phrenology...

THE DONNAS - TAKE IT OFF:
Up until now, it's been the male US bands that have been having fun rocking their socks off - well, step forward, The Donnas, making a welcome return to the limelight after a few years away. Sexy, loud, and brash, this American four-piece sound like they belong in the early Eighties (or something), with their wailing guitars and screaming lyrics. Take It Off is a suitably spunky rock out which, like most of the US records currently making their way over here, is fun in small doses, but quickly forgettable and a little over-hyped for what it really is.

MONDAY, MARCH 24:

COLDPLAY - CLOCKS:
The Coldplay juggernaut continues to sweep all before it, achieving new levels of success with every turn at the moment. Having won the kudos of just about everyone for last year's album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, and conquering America (and Gwyneth Paltrow) to boot, Chris Martin and co show no sign of letting up in 2003. Already, they have triumphed at both the Brits and the NME awards, have sold out Earl's Court and are due to headline nights at the Royal Albert Hall (in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust) and V2003. Oh, and their latest single is Clocks, another slice of musical excellence, notable for its sweeping piano line and singalong ability. Martin's words and lyrics remain as melancholic as ever but, unlike much of their earlier stuff, there is a verve about the band now, which makes their songs uplifting. And despite the darn-near saturation radio coverage this single has enjoyed over the past couple of months, it remains our recommendation of the week. These boys are just too good.
Click here for a review of the album, or here to see where it fared in our top 40 of 2002...

HOT HOT HEAT - BANDAGES:
Another of the current 'hot' bands of the moment, Hot Hot Heat could well be 'the next big thing' on the strength of this ridiculously catchy debut single. Bandages is yet another slice of hip punk-rock, this time hailing from Canada, which can't fail to put a smile on your face whenever your hear it. The track is deliriously insane, and driven by some distinct hammond organ, yet you're sure to be singing it for the rest of the day whenever it is played (which is a lot, if you listen to Xfm). Judging by their reaction on that station - both from DJs and listeners - the 'band to watch' tag may not be misplaced... Click here to find out more about Hot Hot Heat...

FINCH - LETTERS TO YOU:
Another hotly-tipped American band, Finch provide yet more of the same type of rock/metal music that is proving so popular at the moment, albeit with a little more restraint than some of the more recent arrivals. Comprised of frontman, Nate Barcalow, guitarists, Randy Strohmeyer and Alex Linares, bassist, Derek Doherty, and drummer, Alex Pappas, Finch hail from California and are already being touted by Xfm's talent-finders as a band to watch. The debut single, Letters To You, is a promising intro to what we can expect, raw and dynamic (as most US rock is nowadays) but with some serious melodic undertones, which helps them to stand out (slightly) from the crowd. That said, the screaming which goes on in the background during the chorus does seem a little out of place. They're playing London shortly, so if new bands are what you're into, then this lot could provide a hot ticket.

ATHLETE - EL SALVADOR:
In what is proving to be a good week for new bands (on the singles front), another of the UK's hot tips for stardom, Athlete, release their latest single, El Salvador, a catchy slice of rock/pop which looks set to enhance their reputation. That said, three singles in and the Athlete sound hasn't really moved on. The catchy melodies which have been ever-present on previous tracks, You Got The Style and Westside, still sound the same and could well become tiresome. Not a bad effort, then, but by no means near their best. And if you still aren't sure what to expect, then consider that HMV has described them as a mix of Steely Dan and Super Furry Animals.

MONDAY, MARCH 17:

ALPINESTARS - BURNING UP:
THE third track to emerge from the brilliant White Noise album (following Snow Patrol and Carbon Kid), Burning Up is, quite possibly, the best, featuring the closest vocal you are ever likely to get to Damon Albarn without actually having the Blur frontman on the record. Instantly catchy and laden with distinctive, simple grooves, this is the type of track you hear first thing in the morning and find yourself playing over and over again throughout the day. The opening chord and beat is particularly affecting, while the chorus is made to sing along with. The CD comes laden with remixes, from the likes of Prince Quik and Differentgear, and is our single of the week. Click here to order White Noise...

SNOOP DOGG (featuring PHARRELL) - BEAUTIFUL:
The hip-hop revival gathers pace with the return of Snoop Dogg for a far more upbeat record than usual, featuring a sharp beat, some cool melodies and a really funky feel. Featuring the high-pitched vocals of Pharrell during its distinctive chorus, this is a classy piece of work from a typically prolific artist, and one which looks certain to make a big impact with its crossover style. Expect it to be playing in most of the coolest bars in town, because this is the kind of laidback gem that DJs love. In a word, beautiful.

LINKIN PARK - SOMEWHERE I BELONG:
The undisputed kings of US youth rock, Linkin Park, return with the first single to be taken from their new album, Meteora, and feel like they've never been away. Somewhere I Belong is a typically angst-driven, angry piece of work, which effortlessly manages to combine the well-established mix of technology with riff-heavy guitar play. Great for playing loud in the car while on the way home from a stressful day at the office, this ought to re-establish the band at the top of the rock food chain (fending off the wannabe likes of Something Corporate, OK Go, et al, at least for a little while). Existing fans will love it, so no doubt, it'll be massive. Click here to pre-order Meteora...

N*E*R*D - LAPDANCE/PROVIDER:
Production junkies N*E*R*D (also known as The Neptunes, when providing beats for just about everyone in hip-hop, r'n'b and pop), take some time out from the studiop to put out some of their own stuff, with the welcome double-header, Lapdance and Provider. Taken from the re-recorded album, In Search Of, the two singles provide the perfect showcase for the artists' diverse style. Provider is a funky, laidback, folk-pop crossover, which has been remixed by Zero 7, while the dirty Lapdance (featuring Lee Harvey and Vita) is, as its title suggests, a raunchy, in-yer-face, beat laden classic, boasting a fantastically X-rated video (which can be viewed in our AV Room by clicking here). Exciting stuff from an exciting artist.

SOMETHING CORPORATE - PUNK ROCK PRINCESS:
Yet more guitar-crazy, pop-punk fun, which US bands seem to be churning out every week at the moment, Punk Rock Princess marks the debut UK single from Southern California's Something Corporate, a jovial quintet currently riding high in the US chart and tipped for big things. Simple, dumb but incredibly fun, this, like most of the US imports of late, is fun to be around, but instantly forgettable.

MONDAY, MARCH 10:

THE CARDIGANS - FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH:
Cardigans' lead singer, Nina Persson, describes the band's eagerly-anticipated return to the limelight, For What It's Worth, as 'an up-tempo beautiful pop song', and it's hard not to disagree. Certainly worth the wait, the track marks a return to the more cheerful sound of their earlier music, and arrives like a breath of fresh air whenever it is played on the radio. Bittersweet, with lyrics such as 'for what it's worth I love you. But what is worse I really do', this is Persson's vocal style at its most seductive and aching, longing for a love that can never be realised. Roll on the fifth album. Indielondon's single of the week...

OK GO - GET OVER IT:
Yet more young rockers from America - this time, Chicago - singing about love turned sour, while attempting to be heard above the loud guitars, this is, nevertheless, a relentlessly catchy rock-pop crossover that looks set to continue the winning trend established by the likes of Blink 182 and, more recently, Something Corporate. Get Over It, while fun to listen to, offers nothing new, save for some organ playing that provides it with a more musically-accomplished edge. One to play loud, as all angst-driven records should be.

50 CENT - IN DA CLUB:
Sounding like it ought to belong on the soundtrack to a film such as Training Day, In Da Club marks 26-year-old urban hotshot, 50 Cent's UK debut, and is one of the better hip-hop records of the year so far. Mean, moody and with a terrific guitar rift running throughout, lending the track extra urgency, this is as attitude-laden as records get. Produced by Dr Dre, as all good hip-hop of late tends to be, expect this to be huge around the urban club scene, as well as a massive chart success.

LADYTRON - BLUE JEANS:
Ladytron follow-up the successful Seventeen with another catchy slice of electro-pop from the so-so album, Light and Magic. Blue Jeans features a pumped-up beat and some terrific vocals, which lend it a grittier, more spaced-out edge than the majority of the album. Think Dubstar crossed with Kraftwerk and you'll know what to expect. The single comes with a cracking remix from Interpol, as well as a less enticing Josh Wink version, which is apparently going down a storm on acid-tinged dancefloors around the club scene. Click here for a review of Light & Magic...

THE THRILLS - ONE HORSE TOWN:
The must-see band of the moment, according to the likes of Bono and Liam Gallagher, The Thrills return with their second single, One Horse Town, a relentlessly upbeat, banjo-based record that defies listeners not to sing along. Simple and melodic from start to finish, this is the type of track which easily justifies the hype currently surrounding the Dubin-based outfit, and which could easily provide the catalyst for the massive success which is being predicted. The Thrills are due to support Turin Brakes at their London Brixton Academy date on March 21 - we suggest you get along and discover what the hype is about.

PLACEBO - BITTER END:
Placebo return to the fray with a guitar-heavy track that sounds like it's trying to ride on the coat-tails of the current trend for rock heavy anthems. Sadly, it fails. Brian Molko's vocals remain as distinctive as ever, while the Placebo sound is retained, but Bitter End feels like a misfire from start to finish. I have never really been a fan of the band, and this merely serves to confirm my indifference to them. Molko has never sounded better than when he provided guest vocals for the Alpinestars. Within Placebo, he seems merely content to wail as loud as ever. The effect is irritating, to say the least. No doubt, the die-hard fans will lap it up.

MONDAY, MARCH 3:

EMINEM - SING FOR THE MOMENT:
Why is it that whenever Eminem opts to use a sample, his singles sound so much better? Sing For The Moment is a classic case in point, the rapper's best single since Stan, and one which looks set to bring him an ever wider following than already exists (if that were possible). Sampling Aerosmith's rock classic, Dream On, around the chorus, Eminem has expertly crafted another slice of message-heavy lyrical poetry, this time setting his critics in his sights. Fiery, aggressive, yet strangely calming when compared to previous singles taken from The Eminem Show, this is the rapper at his most feelgood. It is our single of the week.

MOCK TURTLES - CAN YOU DIG IT?:
Revived thanks to the Vodafone advert, Can You Dig It is one of the anthems to have emerged intact from the early Nineties indie era. That is still manages to sound fresh today is a testament to its breezy style, distinctive guitars and catchy lyrics, which used to fill dancefloors in nightclubs whenever it was played. As cheesy as it may be, this remains an enduring favourite, even though the advert is doing its best to make it tacky. The re-release comes in the form of a Fatboy Slim and Simon Thornton makeover which, in truth, adds very little - but it's good to see the original on there too, for any fans who've made the switch from vinyl to CD. And for fans who really can't get enough of it, there's even an instrumental version - talk about cashing in!

RADIO 4 - EYES WIDE OPEN:
Everyone's band of the moment, these hip New Yorkers follow-up their rousing finale to 2002 with a suitably upbeat intro to '03. Eyes Wide Shut is a typically energetic rock track, fuelled by some great guitars, some punk-inspired lyrics and a deliriously feelgood drum loop halfway through (which goes down a storm live). One of the highlights of the band's acclaimed debut album, Eyes Wide Shut is released in double A-side format, and also features Adrian Sherwood and Mark Stewart dub remixes of the track, Struggle. Catch them live, if you can...
Click here

NIGHTMARES ON WAX - 70s 80s:
Actually released on February 24, this hopelessly classy second track to be taken from the excellent Mind Elevation LP has, once again, been criminally ignored by the mainstream. Featuring the vocals of LSK, this nostalgic trip through the hardships and pop culture of the 70s and 80s takes in everything from Margaret Thatcher to Jim'll Fix It, without ever sounding like a rant against society. An enduring favourite among the Xfm DJs, this is a typically laidback chillout track that really ought to have a bigger following. The remixes are backed up by vocal performances from Roots Manuva, RodneyP and Tozz 180. Essential. Click here for a review of the album, or click here to see where it figured in our Top 40 of 2002...

THE COGNITION - SO DIFFERENT:
Harking back to the breezy, guitar-led sound of the early 90s Indie revolution, The Cognition are rapidly emerging as another exciting new British band, hailing from the East End and citing influences such as early Primal Scream, Nirvana, Oasis and Faith No More. So Different, the first track to be taken from their debut album, Dead Electric, is a suitably feelgood slice of indie music, a heady lament to a woman who had appeared so different from the rest, which evokes memories of Shed 7 at their chirpiest. By contrast, second track, The Bamboo Section, again conjures up memories of the Sheds at their most sweeping, backed by some intoxicating strings and a terrific guitar solo midway through (when the Oasis comparisons also strike hard; think Whatever, by way of example). As evidence of a band to look out for in the coming months (their single is being backed by several London dates), this is well worth investing some time in. If you want to know more, click here for The Cognition website, or click here to listen to them in our AV Room. Alas, there is no Amazon link available, but there will be an Indielondon competition soon for the chance to win some merchandise...

(Reviews compiled by Jack Foley and Heather Metherell)

HEARD A GREAT SINGLE, BUT YET TO BUY IT? WELL, WE MAY HAVE REVIEWED IT...
Click here for February's singles of the month...
Click here for January's singles of the month...
Click here for the start of the 2002 round-up of singles...