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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).
SEPTEMBER 30:
THE
ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE - SAME WAY EVERY DAY:
Still in their teens and still turning heads wherever they're played (or playing!),
Electric Soft Parade (comprised of the young musical brothers from Brighton)
turn out yet another minor indie-classic, featuring some catchy guitar riffs
and a truly brilliant chorus - the type of which should have you singing along
by the second or third listen. Having been shortlisted for this year's Mercury
Prize (eventually won by Ms Dynamite),
and winning many fans along the way, this should bring the band the commercial
acclaim they so richly deserve. As Indie tracks go, this is effortlessly upbeat
and a darn good tune to boot. Indielondon's single of the week.
JAKATTA,
featuring SEAL - MY VISION:
Following hot on the heels of the sublime American Dream, Jakatta (aka Dave
Lee) returns with another in the same mould, this time featuring the lyrical
talents of one of his favourite singers, Seal. My Vision is another sweeping,
cinematic dancefloor filler, combining elements of modern dance grooves with
an underlying score taken straight from a Thomas Newman movie/television score
(we're talking American Beauty/Six Feet Under style accompaniment here!).
Expect this to be massive among the crossover crowd - it certainly marks Jakatta's
forthcoming LP as one to look out for, while also possibly marking a career
revival for Seal (Mr Crazy himself).
JJ72
- FORMULAE:
Irish trio JJ72 return with the type of single which smacks of confidence
- no doubt borne from the success of the band's first, self-titled album,
which spawned three hits and sold over 200,000 copies. Formulae, the first
track to be taken from the new album, is a supremely well composed track,
all Cure-inspired guitars and achingly beautiful lyrics, which catches you
from the very first listen and just keeps getting better the more you listen
to it. A more sweeping, less rocky direction for the trio, Formulae may evoke
memories of other influences; but it also maintains an identity all of its
own and should make the forthcoming album worth a listen. Fans will not be
disappointed.
DIRTY
VEGAS - DAYS GO BY:
Re-released in the UK following its huge success in America, and arriving
off the back of Dirty Vegas' UK success with Ghosts, Days Go By is a crossover
house anthem which offers a far better insight into what to expect from the
self-titled debut album than the aforementioned Ghosts. Nevertheless, it remains
a pleasing, easy listen, which is guaranteed to find a place high on the playlists
of many nightclub DJs, while appealing to radio listeners from just about
all of the main stations. The CD features remixes from Scumfrog and, more
importantly, a certain Paul Oakenfold. Click here
for Paul White's review of the album.
MARTIN
GRECH - OPEN HEART SURGERY:
Open heart Zoo, is probably going to be, one of the most unusual songs of
the year. It seems to have been used to good affect in the latest advert for
Lexus on TV and that sort of exposure for an artist has got to be one of the
quickest roots to get people to consciously (or subconsciously) listen to
your music - I would choose consciously. Martin Grech may be only 19 years
of age, but has got a voice that has so much character and expression. Musically,
the track scores and has an excellent build up and crescendo. You could compare
it Radiohead, but I'm going to. The track, on the outside, has a tender and
whimsical style, while on the inside, it is ferocious. This is not just a
piece of music, it's art (PW). Click here
for more details on Martin Grech...
(This week's reviews were compiled by Jack Foley and Paul White).
SEPTEMBER 23:
OASIS
- LITTLE BY LITTLE:
THE third single to be taken from their acclaimed Heathen
Chemistry album, Little By Little (which features as a double-A side with
She Is Love) finds Noel performing lead vocals duty, and returning to the
anthemic sound of Don't Look Back in Anger. Heartfelt, personal and downright
catchy, this is typically sweeping songwriting as only the Gallagher brothers
know how, backed by some terrific wailing guitars. She Is Love, meanwhile,
is a happy-go-lucky, feelgood number, which brings out the best in Liam's
vocal range. And the CD wouldn't be complete without the damn near obligatory
cover version - this time arriving courtesy of The Who's My Generation. Needless
to say, it is our single of the week. Click here
to buy the DVD format, which features footage from the Finsbury
Park gigs...
THE
STROKES - SOMEDAY:
Along with The White Stripes and The Vines, superlatives never seem to be
in short supply for The Strokes. Whether they are as good as everyone proclaims
is debatable, but there is no getting away from the fact that Someday is a
damn fine single, the type of which has you singing along to it and nodding
your head no matter what the occasion - or how many times you hear it! As
chirpy as it is well composed, the Someday single comes complete with two
new demo versions of the album tracks, Alone Together and Is This It? A minor
classic from a band that seems destined for greatness.
FELIX
DA HOUSECAT & MISS KITTIN - SILVER SCREEN SHOWER SCENE:
Part electro-funk, part house, but all dancefloor orientated, Felix Da Housecat's
Xfm-rated single gets the remix treatment and sounds all the better for it,
courtesy of Jacques Lu Cont (Thin White Duke Mix) and the Adult version. The
original, which brings out the best in Miss Kittin's moody, sultry vocals
(likened, in some quarters, to those laid down by Madonna on Vogue), also
features prominently, as this undoubted dance favourite continues to raise
its profile. Fine for the club crowd, okay if rock is your thing.
SEPTEMBER 16:
RYAN
ADAMS - NUCLEAR (LIMITED EDITION):
Prolific singer/songwriter Ryan Adams has delivered his most mainstream single
to date, an effortlessly catchy, instantly likable rock track, featuring a
great chorus, which should bring even more listeners to the artist's growing
fanbase. Released on a strictly limited edition (the CD will be released on
the same day, a la Doves), Nuclear is to be the opening track on his forthcoming
new album, Demolition, which - on the strength of this - looks set to be another
stunner. The CD single features the previously unreleased Blue, while the
7" vinyl format features the previously unreleased Song For Keith. The
track is Indielondon's single of the week. Click here
to listen in our A/V Room...
PUDDLE
OF MUDD - SHE HATES ME:
Puddle of Mudd follow up the sublime Blurry (surely a contender for single
of the year) with another moody slice of rock which is slightly slower and
less full-on than some of their previous releases. Like Bush, who excel at
big stadium-inspired rock thrillers, Puddle of Mudd here show their ability
to throw in a chilled and more thoughtful track which, while boasting colourful
language, always goes down a storm when played live. It should help to build
on the success of Blurry and thrust them onto the A-list of the current grunge/rock
resurgence from America.
HUNDRED
REASONS - FALTER:
Having recently won the Best Album award at this year's Kerrang! ceremony,
Hundred Reasons deliver their most laidback, mellow single to date - the moody,
heartfelt Falter. A down tempo ballad which brings out the best in the lead
singer's lyrics, Falter is virtually guaranteed to build on the success of
hit singles, I'll Find You, If I Could and Silver, while also broadening their
fanbase to take in those who love slower material. The CDs feature four new
singles, spread across two formats, which really offer value for money. Hundred
Reasons may be singing about Faltering, but their profile shows no sign of
doing that just yet!
EMINEM
- CLEANING OUT MY CLOSET:
Another deeply personal rant against the world, Eminem's Cleaning Out My Closet
is a lazy and, frankly, uninspired, piece of rap which merely caters for the
fanbase without showing any of the brilliance that made Stan such a classic.
This time, or rather once again, his mother is in the firing line; no doubt
fuelling the controversy between mother and son in time for the release of
the rapper's forthcoming movie (which deals with the same topic). For anyone
wanting to really get into this single, try seeking out the Jacknife Lee remix
being played on XfM. It's rockier, more accessible, and so much more fun.
SUPERGRASS
- GRACE:
The eagerly-anticipated new release from Supergrass lives up to expectation
and is a cool, effortlessly upbeat collection of guitar riffs and pop-focused
rock which manages to sound fresh, while hinting at the Supergrass sound of
old. The track also features some ridiculously feelgood lyrics. Taken from
the band's forthcoming new album, Grace should confirm Supergrass as one of
the most exciting, fun and consistently talented bands of their generation,
while standing them in good stead for the forthcoming London dates. Both CDs
include bonus tracks and are a must for any fans.
SUEDE
- POSITIVITY:
Hailed as one of the UK's most influential guitar groups, Suede have managed
to weather some pretty big fall-outs and personnel changes to remain essential
listening. But while the band have never managed to recapture the sound of
their brilliant debut album, there are signs here that they may be coming
close. Positivity, as its title suggests, is an upbeat, happy-go-lucky slice
of feelgood rock which benefits from a terrific guitar riff throughout and
Brett Anderson's distinctive vocal style. It may take a while to get used
to, but this is as good a single as the band has produced in some time.
BLACK
REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB - WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MY ROCK 'N' ROLL:
In what is proving to be a great week for rock singles, BRMC re-release their
first, largely ignored, effort - the aggressive Whatever Happened To My Rock
'n' Roll. Loud, proud and ultra-rocky, the track features some terrific wailing
guitars, a distinctive chorus and that trademark BRMC sound and should enjoy
greater chart success this time around. Attitude-laden in the way that all
great rock tracks should be, this is further proof that BRMC are one of the
emerging bands of the moment, who also sound terrific live. And if you don't
believe me, then check out the bonus tracks, featuring Rifles (Live at Glastonbury)
and Shuffle Your Feet (XFM Session).
AQUALUNG
- STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL:
Another track given prominence by its use on a television advert (this time,
the latest VW Beetle ads), Aqualung's (or Southampton born singer/songwriter
Matt Hales) Strange and Beautiful is a piano-based chillout classic that is
a simple but oh-so effective listen and one which marks the artist as one
to watch for the future. The CD single features a remix from the prolific
Jacknife Lee, as well as the video and bonus track, Just For A Moment, and
sounds destined to become a big chart success.
SEPTEMBER 9:
DEATH
IN VEGAS - HANDS AROUND MY THROAT:
IT'S been three years since the release of Death in Vegas's sublime The Contino
Sessions album, yet the wait looks to have been worth it. Having teased listeners
with the vinyl-only release, Leather Girls, earlier this year, the dance-masters
now release their first official single from the new album, the delightful
Hands Around My Throat - an effortlessly upbeat 80s throwback which just screams
be played over and over. As dark as it is upbeat, this is Death In Vegas at
their best which bodes well for the new album. The CD, which is Indielondon's
single of the week, features remixes from Adult and Percy X, as well as the
enhanced video.
SEPTEMBER 2:
UNDERWORLD
- TWO MONTHS OFF:
Underworld return to Born Slippy form with a truly pumped up and refreshing
summer dance anthem which marks their first decent effort since the last studio
album three years ago. Two Months Off is the sound of Underworld at their
dance-inducing best, with Karl Hyde's repeated vocals, 'you bring light in',
seldom sounding flat or boring. In fact, this is probably the happiest they
have ever been, and that sense of abandon is infectious. Underworld are now
minus band member Darren Emerson (who has left to concentrate on his DJ-ing
career), but Hyde and Rick Smith appear to be bang on form. All formats include
remixes and the new album, A
Hundred Days Off, will be released on September 16. The track is Indielondon's
single of the week.
WHITE
STRIPES - DEAD LEAVES AND THE DIRTY GROUND:
Along with The Hives and The Strokes, White Stripes are one of the new bands
that people can't stop raving about. On the strength of this single, it is
easy to see why. From its opening, dirty guitar rift, Dead Leaves and the
Dirty Ground is a raw slice of bluesy rock which features Jack and Meg at
their out and out greatest. Gritty, grungy and totally hard-hitting (and with
a fine set of lyrics to boot), this has to be the White Stripes finest single
to date. CD features the bonus tracks, Suzy Lee, as well as the band's version
of Robert Johnson's Stop Breaking Down. If you haven't got caught in the hype
just yet, then now may be a good time to start.
PAUL
WELLER - WRITTEN IN THE STARS:
The Modfather returns from a self-induced studio break with a really up tempo,
beat backed ballad which sounds fresher than anything Weller has done in years,
while harking back to the Motown era. Written in the Stars is taken from the
former Jam frontman's eagerly-anticipated new album, which features the likes
of Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer (from Oasis), Kelly Jones (of Stereophonics)
and Jocelyn Brown and Carleen Anderson, amongst others. On the strength of
this first single, it could well be worth listening to. The two CD singles
both include bonus tracks.
WEEZER
- KEEP FISHIN':
Worth owning if only to delight in the video (which features Kermit the Frog
and the rest of his Muppet cohorts), Keep Fishin' is, nevertheless, another
quintessential slice of Weezer rock that is guaranteed to appeal to the band's
growing fanbase (particularly in light of the continuing upsurge in American
rock music). Taken from the band's forthcoming long player, the single is
short, sharp and to the point, as well as being tremendously catchy in a throwaway
sort of way. And for anyone who thinks the band is merely trying to ride on
the coat-tails of the new Blink 182-inspired musical revolution, then remember;
these guys have been doing this sort of thing for years. It's just a shame
they couldn't have laid down a Mupper track or two.
THE SHINING - YOUNG AGAIN:
They're being tipped by the NME as the UK's 'next great rock 'n' roll band',
yet, so far, have failed to make anything like the impression commercially,
their first few singles have warranted. Yet The Shining ooze talent, combining
the talents of ex-Verve duo Simon Jones and Simon Tong, with the likes of
Duncan Baxter, Dan Macbean and Mark Heaney. Young Again is the band's third
single to be taken from the debut album, True
Skies (out on September 16), and it could be the best, featuring some
brilliant piano rifts which build to a sweeping, Verve-esque chorus (albeit
minus the unmistakable Ashcroft vocal sound). This should be massive. For
an advance preview of the single, click through to our AV
Room and listen. Alternatively, click here
to buy the single...
FILTER - WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?:
Filter's biggest hit to date has been the sublime and acoustically-driven
Take A Picture. Where Do We Go From Here, which marks something of a follow-up,
promises to be every bit as big, particularly as its opening chords remain
vaguely reminiscent of that former classic. Where it departs, however, is
in its rocky, aggressive chorus, which certainly demonstrates the vocal range
of the band's lead singer. This is the sort of track which keeps getting better
the more you listen to it. The CD features a hip-hop remix from the X-Ecutioners
(who also put together Linkin Park's It's Goin' Down). Click here
to pre-order...
(Reviews compiled by Jack Foley)
HEARD A GREAT SINGLE, BUT YET TO BUY IT? WELL, WE MAY HAVE REVIEWED IT...
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...
Click here to see May's
singles of the month...
Click here to see April's
singles of the month...