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Music - The Singles Collection
Heard a great single, but yet to buy it? Well, we may have reviewed it. Previous month's reviews: 2005 2004 |
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SINGLE
OF THE WEEK 1 – GORILLAZ – DARE: The ever-impressive
Gorillaz (Damon Albarn’s cartoon-based side project) go
from strength to strength with Dare, one of the finest tracks
to emerge from their second album, Demon Days. Featuring
vocals by Shaun Ryder, of Happy Mondays fame, the track whisks
listeners off on a giddy and completely captivating array of beats
and melodies that benefit hugely from the finely-tuned production
values of the legendary Danger Mouse. The falsetto vocals are
also distinct and crisp, while the sing-along style is sure to
bring it anthem status. It’s one of those tunes that grabs
you from the moment you first hear it and keeps getting better.
What’s more, it’s accompanied by another visually
striking animated video that continues to place Gorillaz at the
forefront of exciting new music. If you haven’t already
got hold of the album, then waste no time in picking it up –
it’s among the year’s best releases.
SINGLE
OF THE WEEK 2: THE BRAVERY – UNCONDITIONAL: Another
timely re-release from another of the breakthrough bands of the
year - New York-based The Bravery. Unconditional boasts an exciting
mix of driving rhythms, electro flourishes and Strokesian/Cure
vocals, complete with one of those guitar riffs that hooks you
in from the outset. The riff in question is right up there with
the likes of Coldplay's In My Place and Modest Mouse's
Float On for the way in which it reels you in. The tracl
was released as part of an EP last November, during which time
it picked up cult status among fans of new music. For those that
missed out, however, it’s now back in single form, looking
to emulate the success of past Bravery classics, An Honest
Mistake and Fearless. It also features prominently
on the self-titled debut album, which is another classic of the
year so far. 
THE
DANDY WARHOLS – SMOKE IT: The Dandy Warhols return
with another change of direction in the form of Smoke It,
the eccentric new single from their forthcoming album, Odditorium
Or Warlords Of Mars. Although similar in style to their Thirteen
Tales of Urban Bohemia album, Smoke It includes
a new vocal direction that takes some getting used to. But the
seamless rock hooks are still present, along with the bluesy rhythms
and general feeling of joviality. It’s refreshing to find
a band that’s not afraid to diversify, while maintaining
its trademark quality. With Smoke It, The Dandy Warhols
have cemented their reputation as one of the coolest acts on the
indie circuit. Take a deep puff and suck up the goodness! For
those who just can’t get enough, the Dandys’ documentary,
DIG!, is still playing in selected London cinemas. It’s
well worth making the trip.
ELBOW
– FORGET MYSELF: Elbow pre-empt the release of
their eagerly anticipated third album with the release of another
mighty single, Forget Myself. Designed as a hymn to the
weekend rituals of the normal British resident, the song is also
possibly the first to present the image of bouncers in the pop
canon. As usual, the song is decidedly atmospheric, ambitious
and epic in scope, adopting the traditional multi-layered approach
that the band use in all of their music. Yet while the track is
probably their most commercial work to date (thanks to its harmonious
and upbeat chorus), it is also one that’s certain to delight
the hardcore fan-base, while furthering their musical evolution.
On the strength of this, the new album is going to be special.
DAVID
GRAY – THE ONE I LOVE: Prolific singer-songwriter,
David Gray, returns with another majestic anthem in the form of
One I Love, a typically heartfelt effort that registers strongly
from the very first listen. Co-produced by Marius De Vries, famous
for his work with Madonna, U2 and David Bowie, the track is a
slow-builder in classic Gray style, building a rousing soundscape
of sweeping strings, acoustic guitars and ethereal keyboard sequences
that really do inspire. What’s more, the song is delivered
with all the vocal intensity we have come to expect from Gray,
meaning that the new breed (aka James Blunt and Daniel Powter)
won’t be having things their own way for very much longer.
It’s an excellent indication that David Gray has lost none
of his ability to produce emotional crowd-pleasers, so roll on
the new album, Life In Slow Motion.
KT
TUNSTALL – SUDDENLY I SEE: Fresh from her Mercury
Music Prize nomination, KT Tunstall delivers another rousing single
from her excellent debut album, Eye To The Telescope.
Suddenly I See is a breezy and blustery piece of upbeat
and dynamic pop that has helped to catapult the singer-songwriter
into the limelight. It’s hook-laden chorus is designed with
the sing-along in mind, but people won’t mind bouncing along
to its upbeat rhythms and energetic style. It’s one of many
highlights from the album which deservedly rates among the year’s
biggest sellers. It’s clear to see that Tunstall is an immense
talent and refreshing to find that it hasn’t been overlooked
by the mainstream. The single includes an instrumental, which
works very well in its own right as well.
THE
ORDINARY BOYS – LIFE WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME: The
second track to be lifted from The Ordinary Boys’ second
album, Brassbound, is the infectious Life Will Be The Death
of Me. Clearly inspired by The Clash’s I Fought
The Law (there are times when it threatens to become that
song), the track is a rousing slice of indie/pop that remains
as ska-heavy, yet chart-friendly as ever before. As an example
of the diversity to be found on the new album, it’s sure
to win the band more fans and is easily their best work to date.
What’s more, the single comes backed with the bands’
favourite covers from Stevie Wonder’s A Place In The
Sun, to The Kinks’ Set Me Free, and The Ruts’
70’s punk classic, Babylon’s Burning.
JJ72
– COMING HOME: JJ72 continue their current revival
with the release of Coming Home, their follow-up to the
download-only She’s Gone. The track is produced by the dream
team of producer Ian Caple (Ryan Adams, Tindersticks) and mixer
Joe Barresi (Queens Of The Stone Age), and is another of the sweeping
anthem the band seems to specialise in. Featuring a powerhouse
chorus that screams out with an honest emotional intensity, and
an epic outlook throughout, this is an anthemic taster of what
to expect from the forthcoming long-player, that looks set to
re-establish JJ72 as one of the most exciting bands of the moment.
It’s just waiting to be embraced by a new generation, who
will doubtless be singing along come the second or third listen.
Cracking stuff.
THE
TRANSPLANTS – GANGSTERS AND THUGS: Transplants
– aka Tim Armstrong, Travis Barker and Rob Aston –
release the energetic Gangsters and Thugs, the first
single to be taken from their Haunted Cities album. The
band first came together in 1999 as the experimental brainchild
of Rancid guitarist/vocalist, Tim Armstrong, before recruiting
Blink 182 drummer, Travis Barker, and rapper, Rob Aston. The new
track is a typically riotous affair, driven by a manic drum loop
and some quirky, warped guitar riffs. The rap-style verses are
pretty cool, while there’s a good sense of fun in spite
of the hard-hitting content (‘some of my friends sell records,
some of my friends sell drugs’). In the absence of Blink-182,
this fills the void nicely, while maintaining a bouncy sound that’s
distinctly its own. Zane Lowe has already christened it a former
‘hottest record in the world’ of the moment –
so be advised!!!
FUNERAL
FOR A FRIEND – MONSTERS: More angst-ridden, heavy
rock from Welsh rockers, Funeral For a Friend. Monsters
is the second track to emerge from the band’s hugely successful
album, Hours, which has been hailed by Kerrang as one
of the albums of the year. The track is a melancholy slice of
frustration and confusion (lyrics include ‘it makes no sense
at all’) that is brimming with energetic power riffs and
a powerful set of vocals from lead singer, Matt Davies. The track
as a whole epitomises the wider scope of the album, which incorporates
both the popular death-metal howling of drummer, Ryan Richards
as well as some equally tender moments, allowing Davies' far more
emotive style to take centre-stage. It’s for rock enthusiasts
only, but if you dig the big guitar sound, then you’re sure
to dig this.
GWEN
STEFANI - COOL: Gwen Stefani continues to impress with
the diversity of her solo material with Cool, the fourth
track to emerge from her phenomenally successful album, Love.
Angel. Music. Baby. The single takes the form of a tale about
former lovers who are able to settle into friendship that has,
no doubt, got some roots in reality, given the real-life circumstances
surrounding Gwen and former No Doubt bandmate, Tony Kanal. It
was co-written and produced by Dallas Austin (who has also worked
with Madonna and the Sugababes) and is a wistful pastiche of 80s
pop, with a delightfully synth-driven sound, and a musical loop
that makes it quite endearing. The vocals are sweet and innocent,
providing a stark contrast to the hard-hitting, sassy style of
Hollaback Girl, while the whole thing smacks of the confidence
that Stefani seems to exude in everything she does. It's another
great example of an artist having fun while broadening her appeal.
FAITHLESS
- INSOMNIA 2005: Originally released in December 25,
Insomnia only released number 27 in the charts, but has
since become one of the biggest and most distinctive dance anthems
of recent years. Indeed, a re-release in 1996 sent it straight
into the Top 3, cementing Faithless' reputation as one of the
most essential dance acts of the moment. Having recently released
their Greatest Hits record, it was only a matter of time before
Faithless dusted off their jewel in the crown, especially since
radio requests and bedding samples continue to keep it in the
public spotlight. What's different, however, is that the 2005
version is remixed by Armand Van Helden and Sasha, making it an
even mightier dance-floor shaker and guaranteeing it an extra
lease of life among a new generation. The original remains the
best, of course, but the remixes retain all the essential ingredients
and it will probably sell by the bucketload.
LES
RYTHMES DIGITALES - JACQUES YOUR BODY (MAKE ME SWEAT): Hot
on the heels of last week's release by Mint Royale (for another
car advert), comes this re-release of Les Rythmes Digitale's sync
anthem, Jacques Your Body. Television viewers will know
it from the Citroen C4 advert featuring a car that transforms
into a robot and then starts dancing. It's one of those timeless
tracks that will always find a dance crowd courtesy of its place
in sync-dance folklore. The advert has only guaranteed that it
can be found by a new generation of listeners. For those that
don't know, however, the track was first released by Wall Of Sound
in 1997 and produced by Jacques Lu Cont aka Stuart Price. Don't
bet against it becoming another monster smash this time around.
BEULAH
- SWEET KIND OF SOMETHING: Highly-acclaimed female solo
artist, Beulah, releases Sweet Kind of Something, the
first track to emerge from her debut album, Mabel and I. Hailed
by the Sunday Post as 'an outstanding British talent sounding
somewhere between Carly Simon, Crystal Gale and Norah Jones',
the singer is clearly one to watch for fans of any of that sort
of music (not to mention Katie Melua). Sweet Kind of Something
is dripping in chirpy piano chords and upbeat melodies that provide
an effective showcase of the singer's honeysweet vocal style.
It's probably geared towards Radio 2 playlist status but there
is something fresh and appealing about it that's sure to endear
it to millions. Don't bet against some of her songs featuring
on television and/or movie soundtracks in the very near future.
It's easy to see that this woman has talent - and a tour with
Ronan Keating shouldn't put you off!
JESSICA
SIMPSON – THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING: Jessica
Simpson releases an updated version of the Nancy Sinatra classic,
These Boots Are Made For Walking, as a tantalising taster
of what to expect from her new film, The Dukes of Hazzard. The
single features country legend, Willie Nelson, and was produced
by the legendary team of Jam & Lewis. It’s a suitably
sultry affair, with Simpson’s vocals at their most seductive.
But it’s the video that will ensure this becomes one of
the year’s biggest sellers. It features Jessica as Daisy
Duke, as well as line dancers in denim hot pants, much kissing
and an interesting new way of washing a dirty car… It’s
so hot that when it was first released in America, it became the
country’s most requested video. You can follow our links
to see why…
SINGLE
OF THE WEEK: BLACK EYED PEAS – DON’T LIE:
Undoubtedly one of the most feel-good tracks of the summer, Don’t
Lie is the sound of the Black Eyed Peas at their finest. Written
by all four members of the band, the track was born out of a true
experience will.i.am had about ‘owning up and apologising
and realising your faults’. “It’s about a man
or a woman – an adult – and confronting situations
honestly,” he adds. With its infectious blend of hip-hop
beats, sun-drenched guitar riffs, and sing-along vocals, this
really is a breezy summer record that sounds far chirpier than
its love-lorn lyrics suggest. It’s sure to become one of
the band’s biggest anthems and rates among the highlights
of the new album, Monkey Business, which features tracks of a
similarly high quality. The video for the single was directed
by Saline Project (Eminem and The Hives) and the backdrop was
filmed entirely in Brazil.
SINGLE
OF THE WEEK 2: THE WHITE STRIPES - MY DOORBELL: Rousing
stuff indeed from The White Stripes. My Doorbell is the delicious
follow-up to the glam-rock inspired Blue Orchid that could well
provide the band with their biggest hit to date. Featuring a tongue-twisting
chorus, a 60s piano arrangement and some hopelessly energetic
drum loops, this joyous effort is one of the most colourful efforts
Jack and Meg have produced in a while - not to mention one of
the out and out highlights from the current album, Get Behind
Me Satan. Much of its strength lies in its old-school values,
its wonderfully breezy chorus and style, and the way in which
it hooks you in from the outset with a deliriously feel-good rhythm.
Hence, when the single hits the stores this Monday, make sure
you answer its calling. It's the sort of song that justifies the
acclaim surrounding the outfit.
KAISER
CHIEFS - I PREDICT A RIOT: A welcome re-issue for Kaiser
Chiefs' boisterous I Predict A Riot - one of the undisputed highlights
from their successful album, Employment. The track is typical
of the giddy, exuberant style we have come to expect from Leeds'
finest, emerging as an amusing depiction of a typical night out
Up North, complete with mindless violence, heavy drinking and
the odd bent copper. It is given a sing-along feel thanks to the
rousing 'la, la, las' that the band aren't afraid to throw in
and is predictably a live favourite owing to its manic energy
and infectious rhythm. In what is proving to be a colossal year
for the Kaiser Chiefs, the band has also made its mark in America,
where its indie credentials have been willingly embraced by fans
of The OC-style music as well as anyone who caught their performance
at the Philadelphia leg of Live 8. Expect there to be something
of a riot to pick up copies of the single when it re-appears in
shops from Monday. It's a blast.
OASIS
– THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING IDLE: The title of this
track could almost serve as a metaphor for the popular perception
of Oasis’ music of late – idle. The second track to
emerge from the band’s Don’t Believe The Truth album
does at least mark something of a departure – arriving amid
a flurry of mariachi style guitars and drifting into an urgent
drum loop that’s accompanied by some mischievous piano chords.
It’s written and sung by Noel Gallagher and features a video
starring Rhys Ifans, but it remains rooted in a bygone era and
is nowhere near the quality of the band’s own breakthrough
work. That said, it’s retro-style and 60s sensibilities
are far, far better than the post-punk revival, or the pop market,
making this a worthwhile addition to any Oasis record collection.
Just don’t expect it to change the face of the music world
as you know it! Of the B-sides, Pass Me Down The Wine is a foot-stomping
acoustic-style effort that actually feels much fresher courtesy
of a crisp vocal performance from Liam, while The Quiet Ones is
another slow-burner that, like its name suggests, is far more
restrained than normal. Both are worthy of adding to any Oasis
collection. 
MINT
ROYALE - SINGIN' IN THE RAIN: One of the most consistently
under-rated dance acts of the past few years continue to be Mint
Royale. With Singin' in the Rain, however, that could change.
You'll know the track by now, given that it features in one of
the trendiest adverts on TV at the moment - namely the VW Gold
advert, featuring a breakdancing Gene Kelly against a slightly
off-kilter variation of the original Singin' In The Rain. Irresistibly
catchy, the track is destined to earn cult status on the dancefloors
this Summer, while also bringing Mint Royale into the mainstream
arena. What's more, it's accompanied by a number of remixes from
the likes of Mike Monday, Smith And Pledger, Kenny Hayes and Dunkin
Donuts - which all add a little something to an already fine remix.
Isn't it funny how adverts can sometimes make a band or outfit
that have been waiting for the public to wake up to their talents
for ages?
THE
ROLLING STONES – STREETS OF LOVE: The Rolling Stones
continue to defy expectation by releasing new material and touring
extensively. Having announced a new global extravaganza, the band
now release a new single in the form of the double-A side, Streets
of Love and Rough Justice. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
and produced by Don Was, Streets of Love is a heartfelt ballad
that drips in the style of more recent Stones fare. Beginning
with a single guitar riff and Jagger’s distinctive vocal
style, this melancholy song (‘I must admit, you broke my
heart’) unfolds into a poignant ballad that is steeped in
old-school song-writing sensibilities – and feels all the
better for it. Rough Justice, meanwhile, is a much livelier effort,
with some more trademark guitar riffs, the odd bit of slide and
a rousing chorus that hints at some of their younger material.
It shows that when it comes to rocking, there’s still nobody
better than Jagger and co – the original big stadium performers.
It bodes well for the new album (A Bigger Bang, released September
5) and for the live shows – Stones fans should lap both
songs up.
CORAL
– SOMETHING INSIDE OF ME: Having reached the Top
5 with their previous single, In The Morning, The Coral now follow
it up with something that’s a little bit darker and more
spooky. Something Inside of Me is a much harder sound for the
band, despite retaining the 60s-influenced pop melodies that have
become their signature. It looks certain to provide another big
hit for them, while attracting new fans to their latest long-player,
The Invisible Invasion.
ROBERT
POST – GOT NONE: Another of Norway’s fine
exports, Robert Post is a talented singer-songwriter in the breezy,
quirky Badly Drawn Boy mode. Got None does, however, make a refreshing
change from those who ply their trade by delving into misery,
opting for a fresher approach, plenty of wit and charm in his
lyrics, and some genuinely uplifting melodies to help the track
on its way. What’s more, he doesn’t hog his own limelight,
seeming content to introduce a nice vocal trade-off between him
and a female singer midway through Got None that only serves to
make the track stand out more. It’s a warm introduction
to the artist, whose album looks set to be equally as accomplished
and difficult to ignore. Expect to be hearing plenty more from
Robert Post over the coming months.
KUBB
– REMAIN: Kubb are another of the hotly-tipped
bands of the moment thanks to the success of their debut release,
Somebody Else, and the vibe surrounding their appearance on Later
With Jools Holland (secured before they had even released a record).
Follow-up single, Remain, looks set to strengthen their appeal,
courtesy of its upbeat, enchanting melodies and haunting but distinctive
vocals from lead singer, Harry Collier. The track contains an
emotional intensity that’s been compared to the likes of
Keane and Damien Rice – although Remain is a little more
jovial than some of that work and could well be embraced as one
of the summer’s anthems by anyone who hears it. The track
is taken from the forthcoming album, Mother, which could well
be among the year’s best releases if the quality of the
single is anything to go by.
PETRA
JEAN PHILLIPSON – ONE DAY: Petra Jean Phillipson,
the sultry vocalist behind David Holmes’ Free Association,
releases the second single from her current album, Notes on Love,
in the form of the dark yet seductive One Day. It's bewitching
style is sure to draw comparisons with both PJ Harvey and Billie
Holiday, as well as some of Emiliana Torrini’s recent work.
One Day unfolds amid a backdrop of shuffling snare drums and bittersweet
melodies like a beautiful daydream. It’s an eerie yet captivating
effort that provides a brilliant showcase of the type of thing
to expect from the album – which shows a different side
to Phillipson from the psychedelia-laced style she offers The
Free Association.
RIHANNA
– PON DE REPLAY: 17-year-old R’n’B
star, Rihanna, looks set to explode onto the scene with her debut
single, Pon De Reply, taken from her forthcoming debut album,
Music of the Sun. The young singer was snapped up by DefJam CEO,
Jay Z, having impressed him greatly with her rousing blend of
dancehall reggae-tinged songs that provide an upbeat addition
to any dance-floor. The singer hails from the Caribbean and likes
to infuse her music with the feel-good vibe that is evident from
that part of the world. Hence, the charts are made for the sort
of track that begs the DJ to turn the music up at every opportunity.
It is sure to be as big in the UK as it was in the States and
bodes well for the album.
JOHN
LEGEND – NUMBER ONE: The name alone suggests that
John Legend has big chart success in mind with this soulful third
single from his debut album, Get Lifted. It’s an extremely
slick affair, with additional duties provided by Kanye West, that
hits all the right notes for this sort of thing – a swinging
style, a good, strong set of smooth vocals, and the type of chorus
that’s designed to make the women swoon (‘you know
that I love you’). The gospel-style backing is another feature
that, while hardly fresh in the current climate, adds a little
something to the overall vibe that is as summery as they come
at the moment. If you’re looking for a little feel-good
soul, then this track duly delivers. It’s quite infectious.
AMERIE
– TOUCH: Amerie looks to follow up the success
of her massive breakthrough single, 1 Thing, with Touch, an eastern-tinged
dancefloor filler that seeks to raise the temperature considerably
whenever and wherever it’s played. The inviting lyrics are
built around ‘don’t be afraid to touch’ and
are delivered in a teasing, tempting, sassy style that marks Amerie
out as another R’n’B artist with a great voice. The
video features her and a bunch of scantily clad co-dancers doing
more of the same and is purely designed to seduce the record-buying
public. It’s nowhere near as good as 1 Thing, but it is
accomplished and given the current trend for including eastern
rhythms in hip-hop and R’n’B, it clearly understands
its place in the market.
GIRLS
ALOUD - LONG HOT SUMMER: From its provocative title alone,
you just know that a Girls Aloud song entitled Long Hot Summer
is going to include a stunning video. Sure enough, that's what
you get, as well as plenty of suggestive lyrics designed to get
the girls gyrating and the teenage boys dreaming of naughty things.
As to the music, it's more Sugababes in style, as poppy and effervescent
as you might expect from the girls, but still decidedly pandering
to the main fanbase. If it was played while you were drunk at
a summer barbecue or wedding, you might find yourself dancing
to it, and then wondering why straight afterwards. It's a guilty
pleasure at best - but that's not to be confused with a recommendation!
FREEMASONS
– LOVE ON MY MIND: Ex-Phats and Small star, Russell
Small, has teamed up with James Wiltshire for this dance-floor
filler, Love On My Mind, featuring the vocals of Amanda Wilson,
whom the duo discovered in a local karaoke bar. The track features
a sample of the old Jackie Moore classic, This Time Baby, which
Russell insists he has been wanting to use for years. The result
is a generic slab of disco-pop that fails to make any sort of
impression whatsoever – as is so often the case with most
chart-fixated dance music. It’s geared towards the Saturday
night super-club crowds, who will no doubt enjoy its grooves and
retro-flashbacks, but aside from a feisty set of vocals from Wilson,
and that classic sample, it’s a tired retread of countless
other modern dance anthems. Enough already, please!
CRAZY
FROG - POPCORN: Could someone please put this Crazy wretched
Frog out of its misery soon!!! The painful amphibian now takes
Hot Butter’s 1972 top 10 hit, Popcorn, and transforms it
into another sickness-inducing modern dancefloor number that's
sure to feature prominently at wedding receptions and children's
parties throughout the summer. It's as cheesy as they come and
symptomatic of everything that's wretched about the mainstream
- devoid of any inspiration whatsoever, or creative effort. The
album, Crazy Hits, is a similarly wretched affair that takes popular
dance tracks and/or theme tunes and simply puts some ugly frog
warbling over the top of it. Why anyone - even kids - would want
to buy this remains one of modern music's biggest mysteries. It'll
probably outsell everything this week, though.
SINGLE
OF THE WEEK 1: ATHLETE – TOURIST: Athlete continue
to show why they are rated among the most popular acts of the
moment with the title track from their second album, Tourist.
It’s another extremely accomplished affair, packed with
heartfelt lyrics and a mature style that marks a major step forward
from their first album. Tourist is an instant classic
– a warm single that contains some guitar hooks reminiscent
of the sunshine style of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a catchy beat
and another pleasing chorus. It’s another classic track
to emerge from an album that has already spawned the breathtaking
Wires, as well as the more upbeat Half Light.
If you haven’t already purchased the album, then maybe now’s
the time. It’s almost certain to feature among the LPs of
the year.
SINGLE
OF THE WEEK 2: MAGNET – HOLD ON: Magnet, aka Even
Johansen, is hitherto best-known for his seminal cover version
of Bob Dylan’s Lay Lady Lay with Gemma Hayes. A
resident of the Norwegian hit-factory town of Bergen, he now returns
with the new single, Hold On, which is taken from his
forthcoming second album, The Tourniquet (out on August
22). The singer specialises in slow-building songs of seductive,
almost dream-like quality that conjure memories of the meticulous
style of Badly Drawn Boy. Hold On is another track that
unfolds slowly but delivers plenty of warmth and hope. It may
begin slowly but it opens out into some beautiful guitar riffs
to become a genuinely uplifting anthem. Or, as Even puts it: “For
me, it’s like a soul ballad, with a Beach Boys outro, and
it means? Well I think it means what all good soul ballads mean
– there are good times a comin’!” The single
comes backed with a series of special new tracks on a collectable
7” series that’s well worth checking out if you feel
like a bit of a chill out session.
SINGLE
OF THE WEEK 3: BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB - AINT NO EASY WAY:
Those rock 'n' roll purveyors of cool, Black Rebel Motorcycle
Club, have endured a torrid time of late, following internal wrangles
and a change of record labels. But the pressure seems to have
brought out the best in them as new single, Ain’t No
Easy Way, is an absolute barnstomer that easily compares
with the best of their previous work. Featuring slide guitars
galore, plenty of harmonica organ, and some more Jesus And Mary
Chain-esque fuzzy guitars Aint No Easy Way is a heady
dose of Americana that is both funky and upbeat. As a modern blues
song, it's a genuine foot-stomper that marks a breathtaking return
from an excellent band. New album, Howl, looks set to follow along
in similarly impressive fashion.
WEEZER
– WE ARE ALL ON DRUGS: Weezer’s sublime follow-up
to Beverley Hills is their brilliantly sardonic anti-drug
anthem, We Are All On Drugs. It’s typical Weezer,
featuring instantly catchy guitar riffs, lively lyrics (‘when
you’re out with friends in your new Mercedes Benz and you’re
on drugs’) and another rousing chorus. What’s more,
it’s indicative of the type of quality on show throughout
the album, Make Believe, which marks a welcome return
to form for Rivers Cuomo and co. No Weezer release would be complete
without a fun video and, once again, the band delivers. This one
takes the form of a 70's rock / Mad Max style video with a Monty
Python twist. It’s well worth getting high on the sound
of Weezer!
ALABAMA
3 – HOW CAN I PROTECT YOU?: Alabama 3 deliver the
second track from their excellent new album, Outlaw,
which looks destined to become one of the best-kept secrets of
the year. How Can I Protect You? Is the most mainstream
effort on the album, which contains a genuinely catchy chorus
and a foot-tapping vibe that should easily deliver some form of
chart success. It screams of desperation at the state of 'this
crazy world', but rates among the most uplifting efforts on the
long-player. It also features the Irish rock band Aslan, who lend
it a more melodic feel that helps to add an extra dimension to
the Alabama 3 sound by offsetting those grizzled vocals with a
much more pop-friendly chorus. You’ll be kicking yourself
if you let this one pass you by.
SNOOP
DOGG – UPS AND DOWNS: Anyone who caught Snoop Dogg’s
show-stopping set at Live 8 might remember this track as being
one of the stand-outs. Featuring the telling chorus ‘fairytales
are make believe’, Ups and Downs is a typically
smooth slice of Snoop Dogg hip-hop that continues the run of excellent
singles to have emerged from his excellent album, R&G
(Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece. It includes another
laidback beat, a catchy chorus and more of those distinct vocals
that have helped Dogg to become a cultural icon. Of course, the
single comes in a radio friendly format, an explicit version and
boasts an instrumental for getting on down to when you just want
to let the music do the talking. Essential.
JAMIROQUAI
- SEVEN DAYS IN SUNNY JUNE: Jamiroquai follow up the
success of their top 10 single, Feels Just Like It Should,
with a return to the funk-driven, pop-driven sound of old. Seven
Days in Sunny June is designed to become a classic summer
soundtrack single and might just well do that courtesy of its
catchy chorus and feel-good style. It's a brisk tale of unrequited
love, long, hot days in the sun, and 'drinking wine and killing
time' that marks a return to the kind of laid-back funk of which
they are the undisputed masters. Its release might come as a relief
to die-hard fans who were a little surprised by the fuzzed basslines
and distorted beat-box, rock-funk of Feels Just Like It Should,
which showcased the harder edged side to the band’s sound.
Taken from the acclaimed album, Dynamite.
SUPER
FURRY ANIMALS - LAZER BEAM: Super Furry Animals combine
their distinctly offbeat sound with a new, more spaced-out direction
with Lazer Beam, the first single to emerge from their
forthcoming Love Kraft album. Featuring acid guitars,
spin cycle electronics, swooping strings, a bit that sounds like
ELO's Mr Blue Sky and megaphone-distorted vocals, this
is a typically adventurous effort from one of the most consistently
entertaining bands of the moment. The track is being billed as
their feel-good hit of the summer and it's a tale of escapist
fantasy relayed on a suitably grandiose scale. It may take a few
listens, but the futuristic sound eventually becomes quite endearing
and should provide an interesting taster of the delights that
await on the album.
HAL
– I SAT DOWN: Ireland’s finest new exports,
Hal, cite everyone from Van Morrison to Brian Wilson as influences
that help them to deliver their classic yet quirky 70s west-coast
pop-influenced sound. I Sat Down/Don’t Come Running
look set to follow the success of What A Lovely Dance
and Play The Hits in establishing the band as the new
names on everyone’s lips (they’re much better than
The Thrills). I Sat Down is one of many highlights on
the self-titled album, tossing in some wonderful banjo to add
another layer to their sound, while Don’t Come Running
feels like Turin Brakes at their most happy-go lucky. It’s
a brilliant double A-side to listen to on a long hot summer’s
day and an excellent example of why Hal’s album is one of
the year’s finest efforts. Don’t miss out.
JIM
NOIR – A QUIET MAN: Xfm fans will know Jim Noir
for his sun-kissed slice of offbeat pop that is I Me You I’m
Your. The track has become a quirky early evening favourite
among listeners, having been turned into a record of the week
by Claire Sturgess. It’s taken from his third EP, A
Quiet Man, which contains four tracks in total – all
in a similar vein. The NME refer to his music as ‘beautiful
lounge-pop’ and listening to his easygoing rhythms and warm
lyrics, it’s easy to see why. The artist is a one-man music
machine whose music sounds like chilled out Beta Band mixed with
the Beach Boys, with a little bit of Super Furry Animals thrown
in. I Me You I’m Your is the highlight, but don’t
write off the likes of Turbulent Weather, which washes
over you like a gentle summer storm, or the title track itself,
which is brimming with 60s psychedelia. Climb A Tree,
meanwhile, revisits Jim’s childhood and is as beautifully
naïve as its lyrics suggest. With music this good, it’s
fair to say that Mr Noir won’t be a quiet man for that much
longer.
JOHNATHAN
RICE - KISS ME GOODBYE: The sky is the limit for talented
21-year-old singer-songwriter, Johnathan Rice, given the buzz
currently surrounding this major new talent. His debut album,
Trouble Is Real, established him as a songwriter of tremendous
emotional depth, while he is even beginning to extend his artistic
range as an actor. So it comes as little surprise to find us raving
about his latest single, Kiss Me Goodbye, a great example
of his ability to conjure memomarable melodies, this time boosted
by some mandolin that recalls REM's Losing My Religion.
It's epic, sweeping chorus is a real pleaser that really ought
to have people singing along in their droves. The bonus tracks,
Maryann Is Lost and May The Road Rise To Meet You,
merely serve to confirm the fact that Rice is an artist whose
going to be difficult to ignore. Our advice, therefore, is don't.
Discover the album as soon as possible.
FISCHERSPOONER
– NEVER WIN: One of the highlights of Fischerspooner’s
latest album, Odyssey, Never Win is one of those tracks
that seems to embrace the current trend for delivering electronica-based
dance tracks. It’s an easy listen that has been picked up
by the Xfm crowd, as well as Radio 1, and indicative of the type
of thing to expect from the album which, according to IndieLondon’s
Emma Whitelaw, is one of the best long-players of the year so
far (‘electro-pop par excellence!’) – and an
excellent addition to any dance collection.
CAGED
BABY – DISCO BISCUIT: Caged Baby’s sound
is described in their PR as the love child of a musical orgy involving
the Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, Prince, The Beloved and INXS.
It’s not that far off the mark. Disco Biscuit,
the follow-up single to 16 Lovers, is another retro dance-floor
filler that wouldn’t sound out of place on the Miami Vice
soundtrack (such is its rooting in 80s culture). It contains a
fairly phat bassline and more laidback vocals from Tom Gandey
and is typical of what to expect from the forthcoming debut album,
Cagedbaby Will See You Now. It also features remixes
from Midnight Mike, Freaks and Seymour Bits. It’s one for
the nostalgic more than anyone contemporary.
SONS
AND DAUGHTERS – TASTE THE LAST GIRL: Taste
The Last Girl is the latest track to emerge from Sons and
Daughter’s muscular album, The Repulsion Box. It
marks something of a departure in that it boasts Phil Spector-esque
production and a nagging na-na-na-na-na vocal, making it one of
the more mainstream sounding efforts on the album. That said,
the guitars remain as angular as ever and the raw, gritty style
of the female vocals still provokes the obvious comparison with
the likes of PJ Harvey. Fans of the Glaswegian band will doubtless
enjoy thrashing about to it, especially during live performances,
but it’s an acquired taste – much like the rest of
the album.
BABYSHAMBLES
– F*** FOREVER: After weeks and weeks of tabloid
scandal, Pete Doherty’s Babyshambles finally release a single
in the form of the provocatively titled, Fuck Forever.
Like Kilimanjaro before it, the track is spectacularly
shambolic and dripping in punk rock attitude – sticking
two fingers up to the radio-friendly format of a lot of similar
efforts. It’s actually Doherty’s best work in ages
and, at times, vocally similar to the style of Morrissey. But
this guttural guitar-pop anthem for a jaded generation remains
an over-hyped piece of work that struggles to justify the continued
hype that surrounds Doherty. Perhaps if they just concentrated
on the music, they might fare a little better. But this is nowhere
near as clever or seminal as the band would like to think it is
– and from its name alone, seems to be seeking out controversy
for the sake of it. They don’t really need to find any more.
THE
ALPS – WORLD AT WAR: Greenwich-based quartet, The
Alps, like to knock together thorny, three-minute gems that owe
their inspiration to the likes of The Jam, The Police and Elvis
Costello. World At War is indicative of what to expect
and takes the form of an urgent call to arms for a loved one while
everything else crashes around outside your door. It is high-tempo
and designed to get your feet stomping but it’s also very
similar to a lot of British guitar-based bands at the moment,
which reduces its impact dramatically. The boys have become favourites
among the Xfm crowd, however, and the single includes session
versions of World At War and Eleventh Hour (which
is similarly high-tempo). For interest, The Alps won Band Of The
Week on XFM’s unsigned Exposure competition and were pipped
to the top spot of the Karma Download chart by none other than
Franz Ferdinand.
BRITISH
WHALE – THIS TOWN AINT BIG ENOUGH FOR BOTH OF US:
Darkness frontman, Justin Hawkins, continues his one-man assault
on all things glam-rock with his first solo single, This Town
Aint Big Enough For Both Of Us. Originally a hit for Sparks
back in 1974, this updated version is even more flamboyant in
style than most Darkness material, featuring a comical falsetto
vocal that sounds like the middle-section of Queen’s Bohemian
Rhapsody stuck on repeat play. Of course, there’s the
usual inflated riffs and doomsday synths, which again sound like
bog-standard Darkness material. It all begs the rather obvious
question, why bother doing it solo when it sounds the same? It’s
no great stretch and rather sub-standard. That said, it does feature
an outrageously fun video (featuring a darts tournament and lots
of slo-mo action), as well as an equally camp B-side, America,
which sounds as though Hawkins has finally devoured one too many
vocal steroids.
MCFLY
– I’LL BE OK: The best thing that can be
said about McFly is that at least they’re trying. As a boy
band, they aspire to indie style song-writing, with a hint of
60s melody, but much of their material remains a little too cuddly
for its own good. They lack grit and seem determined to write
songs that remain chart-friendly (hence, their huge list of number
ones). I’ll Be Ok is the first single to emerge
from the band’s second album, Wonderland, and it’s
a guilty pleasure. The melodies are distinctly sunshine driven,
while the breezy style is far more refreshing than the usual ballad-based
boy band outfits. It’s just that they lack the finesse,
or rawness of some of the genuinely great indie youth bands and
their music is too chart-fixated. It’ll be huge, of course,
but at least it’s an improvement – if nothing to write
home about.
XAVIER
- GIVE ME THE NIGHT: George Benson's cheesy classic,
Give Me The Night, gets an italo-disco synth-pop makeover
for Xavier's debut single and it's hardly surprising to report
that it's even more cheesy as a result. Drenched in the sound
of 80s synths and with a distinctly retro-flavour, Xavier's makeover
is one of the Ibiza-Miami club scene and easy chart success. Its
roots in George Benson territory make it more tolerable than a
lot of modern, bland dance music, but it's still a lazy cover
version that doesn't really add anything extra to the original
- prompting the inevitable question, therefore, why did they bother?
Worth nothing, however, is the fact that the track was originally
part of an EP released on the New York-based indie label, A Touch
of Class Recordings, which was also responsible for launching
the Scissor Sisters in the world.
TYLER
JAMES – YOUR WOMAN: Tyler James is, of course,
the winner of T4’s One To Watch 2005 award at the Smash
Hits Poll Winners party, so it’s little wonder to find that
his music is distinctly pop-driven. Your Woman, a cover version
of White Town’s 1997 chart hit, is probably his worst effort
to date – a hopelessly manufactured piece of pop-driven
fluff that feels far too recent to be made over. It’s indicative
of the current cultural trend for revivals – although you’d
think that there is far better, older material out there worth
covering. This brings nothing new to the mix and seems designed
with quick and easy sales in mind. No doubt, those people that
still buy records, who helped Crazy Frog to the number one spot,
will oblige.
SINGLE
OF THE WEEK 1: JOY ZIPPER – 1: The standout track
from one of the albums of the year arrives in time for the remainder
of the summer in splendidly psychedelic fashion. Joy Zipper’s
1 is a bouncing, breezy summer-fuelled anthem that really,
really puts you in a good mood. Sounding fuller and more muscular
than their previous efforts, it is an amazingly feel-good indie
anthem, backed with chugging guitars and dreamy vocals that really
ought to help bring this talented New York duo the widespread
listener base their music deserves. The album it’s taken
from, The Heartlight Set, is the most accomplished of
their career and proceeds to deliver track after track of this
sort of magnificent quality. We urge you to rush out there and
buy it as quickly as possible.
SINGLE
OF THE WEEK 2: SUPERGRASS – ST PETERSBURG: A long-awaited
and very welcome return from Supergrass, St Petersburg is
evidence of the band exploring a more sophisticated, mature and
epic soundscape that is sure to win them many new fans. According
to reports, the band have decided to draw a line under their trademark
Britpop sound with their recent Best Of album, opting instead
to broaden their musical vista by drawing from plenty of influences.
Hence, St Petersburg emerges as a shuffling, string and
piano filled acoustic song, with slightly filtered vocals and
a folk-esque harpsichord solo. It’s a beguiling listen that
gets under your skin from the moment you hear it – in a
good way. On the strength of this, the forthcoming album, Road
To Rouen, should be a very interesting listen indeed.
NINE
BLACK ALPS – UNSATISFIED: A lone guitar screams
out, siren-like, to herald the arrival of the glorious Unsatisfied,
the latest single from Nine Black Alps, which finds Sam Forrest's
strong vocals at their most melodic. Manchester’s newest
darlings are a band of undeniable power, delivering skyscraper
riffs and soaring melodies that effectively offset the more vitriolic
moments of the single. It is the same story across the album,
Everything Is, which has to rate among the more memorable debuts
of the year. Unsatisfied is one of many highlights and has since
become a live favourite, following electrifying performances by
the band at festivals including Glastonbury.
LONG-VIEW – FURTHER: Hopefully, if there is any
justice in the music world, it’ll be third time lucky for
Long-View and their excellent single, Further. Thanks
to the song-writing skills of singer/guitarist Rob McVey, Long-View's
shimmering alt-rock has already won an army of fans in the music
press that has sadly failed to translate into the sort of phenomenal
record sales their music deserves. We’re talking the quality
of Coldplay and Keane here. Further, in this new, remixed,
choir-laden form, is a beautifully crafted epic that displays
the sensitivity and emotion that is evident throughout the band’s
music. Please, please, please, don’t miss out this time
around, while those who have already bought the single and the
album may be interested to know that it comes in three formats,
accompanied by some wonderful bonus material.
THE
MAGIC NUMBERS – LOVE ME LIKE YOU: Arguably one
of the breakthrough success of 2005, The Magic Numbers deliver
another warmly delicious slice of summery indie/pop in the form
of Love Me Like You, that effortlessly brings together
the songwriting skill of Dylan and Cohen with the bright melodic
style of The Mamas and the Papas and the more contemporary vibe
surrounding the likes of The Flaming Lips. The track is an excellent
follow-up to their Forever Young hit that follows the same shimmering
style to create a genuinely feel-good anthem for the laidback
summer crowd. It’s taken from the equally brilliant debut
self-titled album that has helped to win this London-based four-piece
so many friends.
WILLY
MASON – HARD TO LIE DOWN EP: Fresh from his overwhelming
success at this year’s Glastonbury, Willy Mason releases
his Hard To Lie Down EP which includes two previously
unreleased tracks (Wild Dog Blues and When The River
Moves On) as well as some gems from his festival set (Live
It Up, Oxygen, etc). The Guardian’s Glastonbury review
noted that ‘when you’ve just started out in your career
and the crowd at Glastonbury are singing along to all your lyrics,
you’ve got to be doing something right’. But it’s
easy to see why. Mason’s laidback charm and easygoing lyrics
are wrapped in some really subtle acoustic guitar chords that
give rise to some charming melodies. What’s more, Mason
tells it like it is (‘it’s a hard hand to hold that
is looking for control, it is tempting to fight when you know
that you’re right’), making his lyrics well worth
paying attention to. He is a genuine emerging talent. Taken from
the album, Where The Humans Eat.
NO
HOPE IN NEW JERSEY – DECLINE: A wave of heavy guitars
heralds the arrival of No Hope In New Jersey's new single, Decline,
which marks the first track to be taken from their forthcoming
long-player, Steady Diet of Decline (out in August).
Produced by Chris Sheldon (Therapy?, Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters),
Decline is a monstrous rock track full of killer guitar
riffs that deceptively disguises its well crafted form with a
very direct attitude. As a statement of intent it works well,
as die-hard rock fans won't fail to be impressed. Others might
need earplugs, though. As a follow-up to previous limited edition
releases Narcolepsy and Invaders (Of My Space),
this should go some way to establishing them on the rock circuit.
STEREO
MCS – PARADISE: The Stereo MC’s continue
their resurgence with Paradise, the title track from
their forthcoming LP. The track reverberates with all of the old-school
qualities – from laconic, loose-limbed funk, shimmering
brass stabs right through to Rob B’s call-and-response vocals.
It takes a couple of listens but there is something undeniably
laidback and hip about Paradise that makes it difficult
to ignore for too long. What’s more, it comes backed with
two remixes from Paul Daley (formerly of Leftfield), that add
a little extra urgency and a lot more appeal. The vocal mix, especially,
allows Rob’s vocals to float over a driving acid bassline
while layering on the beats to create a hip house classic. Roll
on the new album!
GOLDFRAPP
– OOH LA LA: Goldfrapp return with a lusty, retro-laced
slice of electro-glam that’s sure to confirm their position
as queens of the dancefloor. Ooh La La is getting widespread
radio play across the stations, from Xfm to Kiss, courtesy of
its winning crossover appeal and effortlessly catchy vibe. Think
T-Rex mixed with Girls Aloud, but given extra grit courtesy of
Alison Goldrapp’s seductive vocals, and you’re somewhere
close to getting the party started. It’s sure to have you
singing along with its ‘ooh, la las’, while tapping
your feet in the process. What’s more, it’s taken
from the eagerly anticipated album, Supernature, which is sure
to be near the top of a lot of shopping lists as we enter the
final stretch of summer.
SONDRE
LERCHE – TWO WAY MONOLOGUE EP: From it’s
pretentious title alone, you’d be right in thinking this
is a quirky, arty affair that’s designed to be charming,
but which runs the risk of being alienating. Lerche specialises
in swoonsome pop with a leftfield twist that will probably be
embraced or rejected in equal measure. Two Way Monologue contains
a lot of quirky melodies and an urgent, happy-go-lucky style but
it lacks a certain something to really make it stand out as an
offbeat sub-indie gem. Bonus track, Johnny Johnny Ooh Ooh
is similarly joyous and deliberately non-cynical but it just didn’t
do it for me! The title track is taken from the critically-acclaimed
album of the same name.
AKON
– BELLY DANCER: The third single to emerge from
Akon’s excellent Trouble long-player is yet another
change of pace for the hip-hop/r’n’b star. It’s
a hip, fun booty-shaker that perfectly encapsulates the hip-grinding
rhythms of a belly dancer. Having impressed hugely with breakthrough
single, Locked Up, which featured a great deal of self-reflection,
and then hitting the No.1 spot with Lonely (and its endearingly
warped female vocal samples), Akon now aims to provide a genuine
R’n’B dancefloor filler that is almost certain to
bring the same sort of massive chart success. It’s another
excellent example of why his album, Trouble, really rates so highly.
MOBY
– DREAM ABOUT ME: The latest track to emerge from
Moby’s latest album, Hotel, is a dreamy, wistful
effort that returns to the mellow, hypnotic format of some of
his Play work. It features a delicious vocal trade-off
between Moby himself and Laura Dawn, whose sultry delivery makes
a refreshing change from Moby’s harder style. The usual
blend of gentle beats and captivating electronica adds to the
feeling of ambience that hardcore fans will want to willingly
embrace once again. Dream About Me might not rate among
the artist’s very best work but it is indicative of the
sort of quality you can expect from the latest album, which contains
more than its fair share of delights.
THE
DODGEMS – IT’S ALRIGHT: Sheffield band, The
Dodgems, seem to be taking their cue from Razorlight, albeit with
slightly dirtier rock rhythms. Comprised of two brothers –
frontman Phil and Thomas on keyboards – they formed last
year, bringing in Nicholas on bass and Eric on drums. Vocally,
Phil sounds very close to Johnny Borrell, although the music itself
is a lot more punk-driven and far more edgy. The result is a suitably
spiky introduction to the band that hints at high prospects for
the future, despite being cut from the same cloth as a lot of
guitar-based music at the moment. Bonus track, White Rivers,
is a similarly gutsy piece of song-writing that nods towards a
more epic, sweeping style. On the strength of this, The Dodgems
might be bumping into some pretty good reviews from the music
press.
HARD
KANDY – STATE OF YOU: Hard Kandy deliver a serious
slice of future funk featuring Russ Porter (Quantic Soul Orchestra
/ Limp Twins) on vocals, that’s been produced by Brighton's
Lo Fi Allstars. The track is designed as a poignant story of modern
man, in decline, and a bit wasted that is suitably funky and more
than a little edgy. It’s taken from the keenly-anticipated
new album, Last To Leave, and also features an instrumental
and an atmospheric, dub-heavy remix from Simian Mobile. For those
seeking something a little darker and more interesting on the
dance-floor this summer, it’s certainly worth seeking out,
especially if you were a fan of the Lo Fi Allstars and regularly
listen to Claire Sturgess’ Xposure Part One show on Xfm.
MATTAFIX
– BIG CITY LIFE: Mattafix are a London-based duo
comprised of Marlon Roudette and Preetesh Hirji, a steel pan virtuoso
and a computer whiz kid from opposite ends of the musical spectrum.
Their latest single blends hip-hop, soul, reggae and dancehall
to create something of a weird musical cocktail that threatens
to leave listeners with an instant headache. There are some nice
beats and some sultry vocals but, for the most part, the track
seldom manages to find any rhythm making it the sort of effort
that struggles to get out of the blocks. Radio 1’s Chris
Moyle’s gave it a pretty awful slating when he first played
it, but Sarah Cox turned it into a record of the week. It’s
sure to divide people in similar fashion. Fans, though, might
want to check out the duo’s previous release - the ultra
rare 7 inch '11.30' (on Buddhist Punk Records).
CRAIG
DAVID – ALL THE WAY: After a year away, Craig David
returns with a record that sounds like he’s never been away!
All The Way is designed as a slick disco number that’s
been co-written and produced by long-time collaborator, Mark Hill.
The summer dance crowd will undoubtedly embrace its fusion of
funk and contemporary soul, but this sounds far too familiar and
isn’t really a stretch for Craig and his smooth vocal style.
The song is said to be about love, life and nights out partying,
as well as a reflection of the last two years of Craig's life,
but it ends up being a shamefully self-indulgent affair that shouldn’t
appeal to anyone but the most diehard Craig David fan. Taken from
the forthcoming album, The Story Goes…
LADY
SOVEREIGN - 9 TO 5: Lady Sovereign returns with a more
ska meets salsa vibe on new single, 9 to 5. The result is suitably
sassy, with plenty of attitude, yet it somehow doesn't hit home
as effectively as the likes of Missy Elliott or other genre leaders.
The track feels a little too ragged and is most definitely a product
of its urban environment. Fans will no doubt lap it up, particularly
as the various formats offer a variety of remixes from the likes
of Tony Senghore, JME (Roll Deep's newest member), and Yes Productions.
There is also a mix of 9 to 5 from The Ordinary Boys on the maxi.
The B-Side, however, is the much loved Tango from the internet
driven Bitchin' EP. While the Maxi CD includes the pioneering
U-Myx technology which gives fans the software and parts to create
their own mixes of the track. You can't at least say that you're
not getting value for money!
SINGLE
OF THE WEEK: THE STANDS – WHEN THE NIGHT FALLS IN:
Following hot on the heels of The Stands’ brilliant sophomore
album, Horse Fabulous, comes the new single, When The Night
Falls In. The track is a light and breezy example of the
retro pop/rock outlook of the band, fusing plenty of hooks and
shimmering melodies and delivering them in a smooth Sixties style.
The new album was recorded in LA with producer, Tom Rothrock (Beck,
Badly Drawn Boy), and is packed with tracks that demonstrate the
band’s love of music and their passion for diversity. When
The Night Falls In is a retro classic that really ought to
help catapult the band into the limelight they so richly deserve.
TURIN
BRAKES – OVER AND OVER: The second single to emerge
from Turin Brakes’ latest album, Jackinabox, is sadly not
one of the better efforts from it. Over and Over is a
little too familiar for them, even if the deft blend of acoustic
indie/folk remains intact. Fishing For A Dream was a
far better summer track, courtesy of its breezy chorus, but this
feels a little run-of-the-mill despite the presence of some subtle
electronica. They Can’t Buy The Sunshine and Red
Moon would have been far better contenders for singles, given
that they combine all that is great about Turin Brakes with a
sound that is more expansive and ambitious. That said, don’t
let this put you off getting the album if you haven’t already,
for it remains another strong effort from this under-rated duo.
THE
GAME – DREAMS: Dr Dre’s protégé,
The Game releases the third single from The Documentary album
in the form of Dreams, his ode to Kanye West that chronicles the
artist’s difficult rise to success.The track is arguably
one of the best to emerge from The Document, featuring a head-nodding
old skool sound with crackling violins and the heaviest of beats.
It’s a less aggressive effort that some of the material,
even though it deals with The Game’s ascension from the
street life in Compton. But it’s a slick hip-hop affair
that even boasts a video featuring The Game’s darling, R’n’B
vocalist, Mya. Expect the response to be massive and The Game’s
popularity to grow – he has already sold over 200,000 albums
in the UK alone.
ARCHIVE
– FUCK U: French favourites, Archive (aka Darius
and Danny) herald the release of their fourth studio album with
the emotive new single, Fuck U. Its name alone suggests
an angry affair and the lyrics don’t disappoint, kicking
off with the line, ‘there’s a look on your face I
would like to knock off… can’t believe you were once
just like anyone else’ and pitching in with the chorus,
‘you are scum, you are scum, and I hope that you know, that
the cracks in your smile are beginning to show’. The allure
in the single lies in the multi-layered approach adopted by the
duo, beginning things slowly and low-key, before dropping in some
fierce guitar riffs halfway through to create an epic slow-builder
that Radiohead might be proud of (think Creep). It’s
a marked improvement on their previous Noise EP and bodes
well for the forthcoming album, Noise. It demands repeat listening
and boasts a chant-worthy chorus that should be kept out of reach
of children!
THE
RAKES – WORK, WORK, WORK (PUB, CLUB, SLEEP): Having
extolled the virtues of drinking in a recent edition of the NME,
The Rakes deliver their fourth single in the form of the chirpy
Work, Work, Work (Pub, Club, Sleep), taken from their
forthcoming debut album, Capture/ Release. The track epitomises
the sound of the band so far, taking their art-rock disjointed
melodies and setting them against a tale of everyday 9-5 routines.
It’s designed to be anti-indie in outlook and is strangely
engaging even if it takes a little while to properly get used
to. It is arguably their finest track to date. In what has been
a busy year for the band, The Rakes have recently toured Japan
and Europe with Bloc Party, as well as playing at the Wireless
Festival, Glastonbury and T in the Park (where, incidentally,
this track has been going down a storm).
CIARA
- OH: The Ciara Harris success story shows little sign
of abating with yet another single high on top-quality production
values and instant appeal. Following pretty much the same format
as both Goodies and 1,2 Step (which featured
Missy Elliott), Oh is a crunked up, double time, bass heavy track
that is also a love song to Atlanta. It features another powerful
guest appearance by fellow Dirty South ambassador, Ludacris, and
looks set to go down a storm on the R'n'B/crunk scene by becoming
another summer anthem. If there is a criticism, it's that Oh does
seem content to follow an established formula but given how hard
Ciara fought to make it to the mainstream you can't begrudge her
success. She is self-made and her music is such that it's difficult
to ignore - especially if she continues to enlist the help of
such high-quality collaborators.
TWISTED
X – SUMMER OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: Christian
O’Connell, the award-winning breakfast show DJ of Xfm, puts
forward a proper summer anthem in the form of Twisted X and Outl4w’s
Summer of Rock ‘n’ Roll. A follow-up to last summer’s
Euro 2004 track, Born in England, it features the emerging talents
of Outl4w, four 11- 16-year-old skaters, who make energetic punk
sounds. Sadly, however, the track fails to generate a notable
summer anthem, sounding more like a barrage of noise than anything
genuinely catchy or worth embracing. The intentions are good,
the money goes to charity, but there is no escaping the fact that
this is a novelty effort at best, which sounds too youthful for
its own good. Still, hats off to O’Connell for continuing
to have the balls to be different. Long may that continue!
TEXAS
– GETAWAY: Texas continue to display their ability
to deliver catchy, upbeat, radio-friendly pop singles with Getaway,
the first single to emerge from their forthcoming album, Red
Book (which is scheduled to arrive in the autumn).It’s
similar to the style of Black Eyed Boy and Halo in that it features
some more strong vocals from Sharleen Spiteri set over the usual
blend of pianos, guitars and electronics. Texas may be rooted
firmly in the pop/mainstream genre but their sound continues to
be a great deal better than most girl/boy band alternatives –
largely because the vocals are delivered with genuine passion
and the whole package feels much more accomplished. Getaway won’t
win them many new fans but it will definitely please the fan-base.
TEST-ICICLES
– BOA VS PYTHON: Boa Vs Python is the
debut single from Test-Icicles, a trio of young men who have been
creating something of a stir on the late-night alternative scene
occupied by the likes of John Kennedy, of Xfm. Boa vs Python
is a wild, loud fusion of punk and metal that delights in mixing
monster guitar riffs with big-beats and rap-style vocals. The
result is being billed as a genre-defining hybrid, although it’s
an acquired taste and best reserved for those who play their music
loud. Expect to hear more from Test-Icicles in the coming month,
however, given that they only recently signed to the same label
as Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys, and are building something
of a reputation for their chaotic stage antics.
MELANIE
C – BETTER ALONE: Better Alone is described as
one of the most personal and heartfelt records of Melanie C’s
solo career thus far. It is taken from her third album, Beautiful
Intentions, and looks set to follow Next Best Superstar into
the Top 10 – although that’s not saying much. The
track is sung with gusto by Melanie C and is designed, in part,
to be a comment on her new-found musical sense of freedom (‘every
time I think I got this figured out, something screws me up’),
but it lacks anything to really make it special and is pretty
generic for this sort of lone female vocalist sort of thing. Needless
to say, it comes in a variety of formats, including a DVD single
featuring the Better Alone and Next Best Superstar videos, a photo
gallery and the exclusive track, Runaway. One for the Melanie
C diehards only.
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Music - The Singles Collection
Heard a great single, but yet to buy it? Well, we may have reviewed it. Previous month's reviews: 2005 2004 |
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