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, JULY 29:

GEMMA HAYES - LET A GOOD THING GO:
Gemma Hayes began her musical career with the acoustic '4.35am EP', before cranking up the guitar power for her second EP, 'Work To A Calm'. Her new single, 'Let A Good Thing Go' manages to combine both sounds, coming across as a gutsy, heartfelt musical journey from an artist whose star is most definitely on the rise. If the track also rekindles memories of an early, angry Alanis Morissette, as well as elements of Sheryl Crow, then it's probably no mistake either. The musical style is similar, even though Hayes's vocals are somewhat softer and more soulful. The single features an acoustic version of Hanging Around, the Radio Session version of Pieces of Glass and the video to Let A Good Thing Go. It is Indielondon's single of the week.

NERD - ROCK STAR:
They've remixed the likes of N Sync, Britney and Kelis, so now N.E.R.D (aka The Neptunes) post their first single, a heavy, Blink-182 inspired rock/hip-hop crossover which has been given that extra bit of attitude courtesy of its Jason Nevins remix. Terrific fun to be around, this is yet another track which seems to be riding on the coat-tails of the current rock revival spearheaded by the likes of Blink 182, Linkin Park and Sum 41. The single also features Rock Star (formerly 'Rock Star - Poser') and the Nevins Classic Club Blaster version of the same track.

WILL SMITH - BLACK SUITS COMIN (NOD YOUR HEAD):
With Men in Black II opening on Friday, it comes as little surprise to find one of its main stars, Will Smith, popping up with a single to be taken from it. And like the track to be taken from the first movie, Black Suits Comin is another catchy slice of infectious pop, cum hip-hop. Unfairly criticised in come quarters, Smith nonetheless has developed an uncanny knack for finding the sounds of the summer and this is no exception. Like the actor's larger-than-life personality itself, this is brash, loud and fun to be around. It will probably me massive.

MCALMONT: BUTLER - FALLING:
David McAlmont, ex of Thieves, and Bernard Butler, ex-guitarist with Suede, reunite (having fallen out with each other) for a tempestuous but chart-friendly single while belies the duo's indie roots. Sweeping in a grand way, Falling is likely to appeal to mainstream listeners having already found its way on to the Capital FM playlist. It's ok, of course, but nothing special - just nice played loud on a hot summer's day. Single includes bonus tracks.


MONDAY, JULY 22:

DOVES - POUNDING:
Wow! Doves follow-up the sublime There Goes The Fear with another belting track to be taken from the sublime Last Broadcast CD. Pounding is an anthemic rock classic harking back to the glory days of the Manchester indie scene, Stone Roses and all. Uplifting, powerful and incredibly catchy, this sounds terrific on first listen and just keeps getting better. Great drum beat (which is so Roses, man!), brilliant vocals, and some superb guitar rifts halfway in, it is easy to run out of superlatives when talking about the band's new material. Undoubtedly, Indielondon's single of the week and another contender for one of the singles of the year. Single features bonus tracks Far From Grace, Northenden and the Pounding enhanced video, directed by Intro. Click here to buy it.

LINKIN PARK - HIGH VOLTAGE/POINTS OF AUTHORITY:
The first single from the forthcoming remix album, 'High Voltage' is a typically fiery affair from the nu-metal revivalists, this time collaborating with rhyme slinger Pharoahe Monch. One to delight the head-bangers and stave off the hunger for new material, this also manages to combine some hip-hop elements into the Linkin Park sound. Like Bush's Deconstructed remix album, this could widen the appeal for one of America's biggest rock acts. The CD includes remixes of 'Points Of Authority' and an exclusive Marilyn Manson mix of 'Buy Myself'.

PRIMAL SCREAM - MISS LUCIFER:
The first single to be taken from Primal Scream's latest album, 'Miss Lucifer' is a further example of how far-removed the band now is from the indie/dance crossover work of their brilliant Screamadelica. Produced by Jagz Kooner (ex Sabres Of Paradise/ The Aloof), this pumped-up electro-rocker is likely to have you pining for a return to the dance-orientated sound of Come Together or the Stones-inspired rock of Rocks Off. Frontman Bobby Gillespie's distinctive vocals still sound terrific, but this latest slice of re-invention from the Primal boys is likely to have you screaming for all the wrong reasons. A major disappointment. CD includes remixes.

JA RULE - LIVIN' IT UP:
Combining hip-hop and r 'n' b to chart-friendly effect, Ja Rule's latest (and freshest) release to date is a surefire dancefloor filler and a rare quality track from the Queens-based bad boy (who has dabbled in movies). One for the parties this summer, Livin' It Up (as its title suggests) is catchy, upbeat and trademark Ja Rule, featuring a guest vocal from Case (performing a soul version of Stevie Wonder's 'Do I Do' in the chorus). CD features several remixes.


STREETS - WEAK BECOME HEROES:
Everyone continues to rave about Streets, but Mike Skinner's latest single is another lazy disappointment and a classic example of over-hype. A supposedly moving story of growing up (and old) in today's club climate, 'Weak Become Heroes' sounds limp, uninspired and nauseating. Consisting of a simple beat, a looped piano and very little else, Skinner's flat vocals do little to convine me that Streets are the new dance phenomenon everyone suggests. Disagree? Then email indielondon@yahoo.co.uk and deliver your view.

MONDAY, JULY 15:

CRESCENT - TEST OF TIME:
Hailing from Liverpool, Crescent follow-up their debut single, On The Run, with this Levellers-sounding slice of indie-rock, featuring a really feelgood chorus and some great guitar backing. A tried and tested crowd-pleaser, Test Of Time could mark the band's breakthrough single, as their previous effort charted just outside the Top 40 (not that chart success warrants much attention, nowadays). These guys could be headed for big things. The single features the bonus tracks Open Question and Sun Too Long.

MY VITRIOL - MOODSWINGS/GENTLE ART OF CHOKING:
A typically heavyweight rock anthem from My Vitriol which screams out to be played loud, this is another example of how rock music has returned to the fore of late. Moodswings may not rate as one the year's greatest examples of the style, but it is catchy, aggressive and fun while it lasts, marking the band's first since Pieces in May last year. Second track, The Gentle Art of Choking is taken from the debut album, Finelines, but appears in the US format, having been remixed by Korn producer Steve Thompson. Need we say more, you'll know what to expect.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN - AERIALS:
US-based rockers, System Of A Down, continue to win friends in the UK with their latest single, Aerials, a really moody slow-builder which owes much of its inspiration to the likes of Pearl Jam. No doubt riding high on the current wave of guitar-based music, System Of A Down at least have the distinction of sounding more mature and very heavy, getting away from the Sum 41-inspired 'college rock' coming from the US at the moment. A real grower.


BETH ORTON - CONCRETE SKY:
Singer/songwriter Beth Orton returns with a really classy slice of folk-pop which underlines why the performer is rated as one of modern music's most important songwriters. Laid back, serene, almost melancholic, this dreamy return soothes in the way that only classic Orton can and provides a marvellous taster of what to expect from the forthcoming album. Some great use of piano also adds to the hypnotic charm of the track. The CD features bonus tracks Ali's Waltz, Bobby Gentry and the Four Tet Remix of Carmella. Indielondon's single of the week. Click here to order.

INCUBUS - ARE YOU IN?:
Incubus follow-up last year's sublime Wish You Were Here, with a complete change of pace. Are You In? is a sweet, virtually guitar-free example of a band willing to diversify, which features a really laidback, almost chill-out beat, and a really wistful chorus, which is great to sing-a-long to. A great summer track which, no doubt, is terrific in love format. Click here to order.

MONDAY, JULY 8

Fc KAHUNA - MACHINE SAYS YES:
The Kahuna brothers have been doing their thing in clubs for some time now, so it was only a matter of time before they followed in the Oakenfold footsteps and delivered a debut album and single. Machine Says Yes is typical of what we have come to expect from the mixers, a dazzling mix of acid house and silicon soul which features the vocal talents of former Gus Gus singer Hafdis Huld. Instantly catchy, this slick dancefloor filler is sure to make a big impression for the latest big beat brothers. The single features a Tiga Remix and a Josh Winks Acid Dub Interpretation. Indielondon's single of the week.

FISCHERSPOONER - EMERGE:
Licensed from DJ Hell's International Deejay Gigolos label, Fischerspooner seem to have picked up on the electro-clash sound currently reverberating around Europe at the moment (Daft Punk style) and run with it to huge effect. Emerge combines a distinctly 80s feel with an electro-pop sound that has been one of the anthems of the dancefloor this summer (as well as providing countless musical backdrops to some of the season's biggest sporting events). Simple and effective, this is too good to ignore. The single features a funky Dave Clarke remix, as well as a Dexter variation, a radio edit and a video. Value for money, then!

MONDAY, JULY 1

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - BY THE WAY:
Californian rock sensations The Red Hot Chili Peppers follow-up the acclaimed Californication singles with another in the same mould - fast, upbeat and with a brilliant, sing-a-long chorus, it is little wonder this has topped XfM's Music/Response listener-led chart for the past few weeks. In short, this is classic Chili Peppers, combining Anthony Kiedis's distinctive half rap, half sung vocals with a typically funky baseline. It may not be instantly catchy (and the verses, for sure, take a little getting used to) but we defy you not to be singing along to its catchy chorus by the third or fourth time of listening. A welcome return from one of the world's top bands.

PRODIGY - BABY'S GOT A TEMPER:
AFTER five years out of the limelight, Prodigy return with a typically brash and controversial offering, featuring an equally gutsy video (cow's being milked) and the type of chorus which some mainstream radio stations refuse to play. So all the components are in place for the usual success, then. Not quite. Many have criticised Prodigy's return for being something of a stale re-run of former classics (the track samples Firestarter, for example), while the punk-inspired vocals (the band occasionally sounds like a Sex Pistols remix) leave a lot to be desired. That said, the trademark aggression is back and the beats are undeniably stylish. A worthy return, but not the classic some may have expected.

BUSH - INFLATABLE:
BUSH continue to quietly go about doing their loud thing with aplomb, churning out the odd single from every album which sneaks up on an unsuspecting British record-buying public and catching them completely by surprise. Letting The Cables Sleep, from the Science of Things album, and Swallowed, taken from Razorblade Suitcase, are classic examples of singles which have done the business for the band. Inflatable, from Golden State, is another in that mould, a powerful, moody, uncompromising and wistful single complimented by Gavin Rossdale's distinctive vocals and some terrific guitar solos. For that reason alone, it is indielondon's single of the week. Great to listen to while chilling out.

IDLEWILD - AMERICAN ENGLISH:
AT long last, Idlewild have found the success their music so richly deserves. You Held The World In Your Arms was the band's biggest chart hit to date and the follow-up, American English, is every bit as good - if not better. It is an uplifting rock anthem, the type of which is made to be played to big audiences. Featuring a terrific guitar rift, the single is a slow-builder which gives way to a really terrific, guitar-driven finale. Like Doves, Idlewild seem to have come on really strong after threatening to breakthrough for so many years. On the strength of this, the album should be well worth investigating.

SHERYL CROW - STEVE MCQUEEN:
SHERYL Crow continues her own mini-revival with another well-written, upbeat single which not only provides a perfect accompaniment to the summer sun, but is cool enough to justify being a tribute track to the man it is written about - old Bullitt himself, McQueen. Unmistakably Crow in its sound and composition, this is nevertheless another great example of a singer/songwriter at her best and makes you wonder why the artist took a break for so long. The CD features If It Makes You Happy and My Favorite Mistake, both live from Abbey Road Studios.

JENNIFER LOPEZ - I'M GONNA BE ALRIGHT:
The actress cum singer (or singer turned actress!?) continues her one-woman assault on both the film and movie charts with another worthwhile r 'n' b collaboration which makes for a decent listen. Taken from her latest remix album, I'm Gonna Be Alright features a sample from The Luniz classic, 'I Got 5 On It', along with a rap from NY hip-hop star Nas to spice up the sassy Lopez vocals. It's all very proficient but a great dancefloor number and further proof of why the star is an important name in both the cinema and music industry worlds.

(Reviews compiled by Jack Foley)

HEARD A GREAT SINGLE, BUT YET TO BUY IT? WELL, WE MAY HAVE REVIEWED IT...
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