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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, OCTOBER 28:
MADONNA
- DIE ANOTHER DAY:
AS expectation builds ahead of the release of the latest James Bond film,
Die Another Day, 007 fans have all the more reason to feel excited given who
is doing the theme song. Madonna has seldom put a foot wrong lately and the
title track is another example of why the artist is still at the top of her
profession after so many years (and image make-overs). Die Another Day manages
to combine the orchestral Bond sound of so many former themes, with that of
Madonna's Music-style chart-topper. Produced, once again, by French studio
ace, Mirwais, this is a typically boisterous, edgy, dance-floor flavoured
slice of pop which finds Madonna's lyrics on top form. The single comes complete
with remixes from the likes of Dirty Vegas, Felix Da Housecat and Deepsky,
depending on which one you buy. Roll on the movie... Indielondon's single
of the week.
PEARL
JAM - I AM MINE:
Pearl Jam remain one of the most important bands of the early 90's grunge/rock
revival, succeeding where others have failed by actually surviving this long
- despite the best attempts of lead singer, Eddie Vedder, to occasionally
take a walk on the extremely wild side. I Am Mine, the first single to be
taken from the band's forthcoming album, is typically Pearl Jam - soaring
guitars, backed by tremendous vocals, which really put the pretenders to their
crown in their place. If this is an example of what we can expect from the
new album, then I guess the queue starts here to own a copy.
POLYPHONIC
SPREE - HANGING AROUND:
We missed this new release last week, so thought we'd include it in this Monday's
round-up. The Polyphonic Spree must surely be one of the most exciting bands
of the moment - comprised of around 25 members and recapturing the lazy/hazy
sound of the Seventies, they have yet to do anything by half measures. Hanging
Around is another majestic opus, a slow-builder which eventually gives way
to a genuinely feelgood chorus, and one that is likely to have you singing
along by the second time of asking. Taken from their acclaimed (and brilliant)
debut album, The Beginning Stages Of..., this is epic stuff.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21:
GROOVE
ARMADA - PURPLE HAZE:
Groove Armada return with what is, quite possibly, one of their finest singles
to date, a pumped-up, attitude-driven fusion of dirty beats, hard guitar riffs
and hip-hop vocals. Inspiring memories of Feeder's remix of a Mark B and Blade
tune, this is a truly funky return to the limelight and a really enticing
insight into what we might find on the new CD. Purple Haze features the vocals
of Kentucky-bred hip-hop outfit, Nappy Roots, pitched against the lyrics of
Jamaican MC Red Rat, as well as those funky beats and memorable guitar samples.
This could be Groove Armada re-invented. Bonus tracks include Lovebox and
Ooh Baby, featuring the vocals of Horace Andy. All are worth owning. This
is Indielondon's single of the week.
U2
- ELECTRICAL STORM:
The first of two new singles written for U2's forthcoming Greatest Hits album
(covering the period from 1990 onwards), Electrical Storm is further proof
of just how reliable, yet diverse, Bono and co have become. Teaming up with
producer William Orbit (who has already collaborated to brilliant effect with
Madonna, on Ray of Light, and Blur, for their last album), this is a slow-building
classic, which breaks out into a sweeping, almost entrancing, rock ballad
halfway through. Everything is present and correct, from Bono's majestic vocals,
through to The Edge's telling guitars - and yet, as is often the case with
U2, it is virtually impossible to point at another track in their back catalogue
and say this is similar. Terrific.
RED
HOT CHILI PEPPERS - ZEPHYR SONG:
The Red Hot Chili Peppers follow-up the sublime By The Way with another great
track to be taken from the album of the same name. Zephyr Song is a more laidback
and breezy rock anthem, but no less forgettable - perfect music to drive to,
even, particularly along a sun-drenched stretch of Californian coast (an image
which surely captures the essence of the Chili Peppers sound). Great to singalong
to, as well, this is further proof of why the Peppers have lost none of their
relevance. If you don't already own the album, maybe now is a good time to
go out and get it!
TURIN
BRAKES - LONG DISTANCE:
Balham-based Turin Brakes have been on something of a high ever since the
release of their critically-acclaimed debut album, The Optimist, last year
- and their success story shows no sign of stopping. The first single from
their follow-up album, Long Distance marks a collaboration with Tony Hoffer
(producer of Beck, Air and Supergrass) and is an acoustic-driven slice of
brilliance which proves that subtlety can sometimes triumph over the more
in your face sounds of certain, ill-placed chart-dwellers. In the case of
Turin Brakes, less truly is more. Great vocally, and brilliant on the guitars,
this is a terrific taster for what will surely be another classy album. The
CD features a Bees remix of Long Distance, plus the bonus track, Lost and
Found, as well as the video.
THE
STREETS - DON'T MUG YOURSELF:
We're sorry to keep carping on about it - but why is everyone raving about
The Streets? Mike Skinner may just have missed out on the Mercury Music Prize
(we're glad!), but the question remains, why was he even nominated? Once again,
we have another laboured beat backed up by some tiresome vocals, all reflecting
on the state of modern life in Britain. Royksopp have provided a remix, but
aside from that, this urban tale is well worth steering clear of. Anyone who
claims that this guy is redefining musical boundaries has got to be kidding.
This is nausea-inducing.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14:
LONGVIEW
- WHEN YOU SLEEP:
Longview follow up their debut EP, Further, with When You Sleep, a collection
of three songs which really mark them out as one of the emerging British rock
bands of the moment. Fronted by Rob McVey and citing musical references as
varied as The Lemonheads and Teenage Fanclub to John Lennon (one of Rob's
heroes), the band are developing a reputation for producing richly diverse
and incredibly uplifting tracks, which really ought to gain them prominence
among the new rock and roll elite. When You Sleep, for instance, is an incredibly
rocky intro to the band, for anyone who hasn't caught up yet, while the orchestral,
sweeping Still, shows that they can slow things down and still sound great
(even hinting at early Embrace, vocally). The piano-led Say It Once is another
strong ballad, owing much to the type of track that became Coldplay's signature
on their debut, Parachutes. Well worth looking out for if you're searching
for something different, Longview's When You Sleep is Indielondon's single
of the week. To find out more about Longview, click here...
DJ
SHADOW - SIX DAYS:
Taken from the acclaimed Private Press album, Six Days is yet further proof
of DJ Shadow's near-unrivalled ability to search out great beats and obscure
vocals to create something that is truly unique. Six Days, the album version,
was a moody break from the norm, largely devoid of the funky beats and scratches
that have become Shadow's trademark. In single format, and boasting a funked
up Mos Def remix, it is an attitude laden, beat-driven screamer, perfectly
suited to launch a full-on assault on the charts. By fusing Six Days with
another track on the album, the hard-as-nails Giving Up The Ghost, and laying
down Mos Def's rapping, this is a heady mix of streetwise hip-hop and laidback
chillout. Bonus track, 100 Yard Dash, cranks things up still further. Essential.
DOVES
- CAUGHT BY THE RIVER:
Not the most obvious choice for a single from Doves' Mercury Music Prize nominated
album, The Last Broadcast (we prefer Words), this is still another quality
track from Jimi Goodwin and co, harking back to the sound that populated their
last album, Lost Souls. Caught By The River is no way near as anthemic as
the likes of There Goes The Fear or Pounding, but it is an atmospheric, lingering
epic, filled with Goodwin's stirring vocals and some dazzling guitars. Those
who are quick in ordering can get a limited edition CD single featuring a
poster and the video. If you haven't got The Last Broadcast yet, and are still
deciding, this should be the clincher.
MANIC
STREET PREACHERS - THERE BY THE GRACE OF GOD:
Taken from the Manics upcoming Greatest Hits album (a surefire Xmas stocking
filler, if ever there was one), There By The Grace of God could, quite possibly,
be one of the band's finest tracks to date. And before any fans start protesting,
perhaps I should reveal, at this point, that I'm not the world's biggest Manics
fan. The trademark sound is still there, most notably in James Dean Bradfield's
impassioned vocals, but the guitars and general production values sound so
much better, making this an immediate attention-grabber and a candidate for
a good singalong whenever I'm driving home. Essential for fans, this just
might appeal to the new listener and is a terrific way to announce the arrival
of any Greatest Hits album. All formats include remixes and/or bonus tracks.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7:
LEMON
JELLY - SPACEWALK:
Lemon Jelly (comprised of Nick Franglen and Fred Deakin) produced one
of the chillout classics of the year when they released the self-titled Lemon
Jelly.KY in 2000 and remain cult favourites of the dance world, just waiting
to be discovered by the masses. Spacewalk might just be the single to do that.
Constructed around some delightful piano and that trademark layered sound
of acoustic guitars and gentle beats, the single is a majestic, feelgood classic
that captures your imagination from the moment you hear it - much in the same
way as the sublime Staunton Lick did when you first heard that. The CD features
the bonus track, Pushy, plus Return to Patagonia, taken from the first album.
Essential for fans, a great new discovery for newcomers (of which there should
be many!). Indielondon's single of the week.
RICHARD
ASHCROFT - CHECK THE MEANING:
Still best known for being the former Verve front-man, Richard Ashcroft's
first single to be taken from his forthcoming second solo album suggests that
his new material could help to establish him as a performer in his own right.
Very assured, and bringing out the best in those unmistakable vocals, Check
The Meaning is a melancholic, yet soaring, string-powered ballad which looks
destined to make a big impression on the charts. Heartfelt, moody and great
to sing-a-long to, this is a classy new single from a performer who oozes
style. Ashcroft is back and, on this form, the new album should be essential.
NAUGHTY
BY NATURE - FEELS GOOD (DON'T WORRY BOUT A THING):
Having taken two years off, Naughty by Nature return with the first single
to be taken from the forthcoming Iicons albums (released October 14), the
enticing Feels Good (Don't Worry Bout A Thing). The single marks the first
release on the band's new label, Naughty/TVT records, and features the Epic
Records female trio 3LW. Harking back to the NBN party anthems such as Hip-Hop
Hooray and Uptown Anthem, Feels Good is an effortlessly breezy slice of radio-friendly
hip-hop which is sure to re-establish their reputation in the hip-hop hall
of fame. The track has already been a number one single in the Billboard Hot
Rap Singles chart in America, and could do the same here. As a taster for
what to expect from the album, this is fairly mouthwatering and well worth
adding to any hip hop collection.
FOO
FIGHTERS - ALL MY LIFE:
Dave Grohl must be one of the busiest performers currently working within
the rock industry. A former frontman with Nirvana (whose work with that band
is due to be rediscovered with the long-overdue release of a forgotten track),
Grohl has been busy fronting the Foo Fighters for the past eight years, and
recently took time off to help Queens of the Stone Age on their latest album,
Songs for the Deaf. Maybe that's
why All My Life feels a little tame for Grohl and co, then. Harking back to
the earlier, heavier sound of the Foo Fighters (before far better tracks such
as Next Year), All My Life is certainly aggressive and loud, but it lacks
some of the finesse of more recent material, rendering it a good (but not
great) listen. Foo Fighters fans will, no doubt, lap it up, though.
VINES
- OUTTATHAWAY:
Aussie four-piece, the Vines, continue their phenomenal rise to A-list rock
status with another full-throttle, three-and-a-half minute slice of punk rock,
which arrives like a shot in the arm whenever it gets radio play. Effortlessly
catchy and curiously feelgood, Outtathaway is trademark Vines - fast, furious,
gone before it gets going, but unforgettable for some time afterwards. XfM
can't get enough of the Vines at the moment, while their growing fanbase reckon
they are better than other fast-risers, The Strokes and The White Stripes;
and on this form it's hard to argue against such claims. These guys rock and
their music is infectious.
(Reviews compiled by Jack Foley)
HEARD A GREAT SINGLE, BUT YET TO BUY IT? WELL, WE MAY HAVE REVIEWED IT...
Click here to see September's
singles of the month...
Click here to see August's
singles of the month...
Click here to see July's
singles of the month...
Click here to see June's
singles of the month...
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singles of the month...
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singles of the month...