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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, AUGUST 26:
JOY
ZIPPER - RON:
Joy Zipper are a two-piece from Long Island signed to David Holme's 13amp
label and, on the strength of this, could be set for big things. Comprised
of Vinny Cafiso and Tabitha Tindale, the duo have produced a CD of laidback
brilliance, which is brilliant just to lie back and listen to on a hot summer's
day. Ron's lazy guitars and sunkissed melodies evoke memories of The Dandy
Warhols with a Seventies vibe, while the beautiful instrumental, Dosed and
Became Invisible is, quite simply, dreamy and supremely well composed. Joy
Zipper's album, American Whip, is released on January 26, 2003, and, if this
is anything to go by, sounds well worth a listen. Ron is our single of the
week (even if it was released a few weeks ago!!!). Click here
to listen to the single...
ASH
- ENVY:
Envy marks a return to the brash guitars of old; a big, loud, gutsy affair
that gets better with each listen. Recorded in America and taken from the
forthcoming 'Greatest Hits' ablum, this is a guitar-driven blast of summer
rock guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any Ash fan, while also serving
as a timely reminder of what the band is capable of. The single is released
across four formats, with both CDs including further new tracks, a DVD adding
the video and extras, as well as a gatefold double 7" single. A worthy
follow-up to anything taken from the equally brilliant Free All Angels album.
Click here
to order the DVD...
MINT
ROYALE - SEXIEST MAN IN JAMAICA:
A massive club anthem, featuring a pounding beat and reggae-tinged vocals,
this is the type of track which has people everywhere proclaiming out loud,
'I am the sexiest man in Jamaica'. The vocal in question comes from ska legend
Prince Buster and, in truth, makes the single; but there is no denying that
it is fun to listen to and certainly achieves what it sets out to - getting
people dancing. Its overplay on almost every radio station, however, has made
it quickly become boring and whether it will have the shelf life of Mint Royale's
far superior previous single, Show
Me (featuring Pos from De La Soul) remains to be seen. Somehow, we don't
think it will! CD includes various remixes.
NICKELBACK
- TOO BAD:
Following up the massive 'How You Remind Me' was always going to be difficult,
so it comes as little surprise to find that Too Bad doesn't even come close.
That said, it is another big, brooding rock anthem, featuring some more powerhouse
vocals from Chad Kroeger, who makes the most of the catchy chorus. Given that
the current lust for all things rock and all things American shows so sign
of abating, this will probably be another huge hit for the band - just don't
expect it to be as big as the previous one. And for those who simply can't
get enough of that previous one, there is a live version of How You Remind
Me and Woke Up This Morning as well as the video of Too Bad.
MONDAY, AUGUST 19:
MOBY
- EXTREME WAYS:
Track two to be taken from Moby's latest album, Extreme Ways continues
to set the standard when it comes to laidback, spellbinding tunes. Combining
the usual Moby elements, scintillating beats, haunting vocals and serene pianos,
Extreme Ways also features a vocal performance from the artist himself and
is one of the highlights on the 18 album. Far more old school than the previous
single, We're All Made Of Stars, this re-establishes Moby as one of the groove-masters
of the moment. CD features the bonus tracks, Love Of Strings and Life's So
Sweet, and it is Indielondon's single of the week.
PAUL
OAKENFOLD - STARRY EYED SURPRISE:
Perhaps better known as the track which Capital Radio is using for its
current advertising campaign, Starry Eyed Surprise is Paul Oakenfold at his
most laidback, chilled out and feelgood. Featuring the guest vocals of Crazytown's
Shifty Shellshock, this is, curiously, a single which combines rock and hip-hop
to chart-friendly effect, coming across as the type of track more likely to
appeal to the chart-friendly masses than the alternative crowd. One thing's
for sure, however, this is the type of track which just screams out to be
played and enjoyed in the summer. Taken from the album, Bunkka
(a review of which is available by clicking here).
KOSHEEN
- HARDER:
Kosheen continue to impress the dancefloor generation with another terrific
track to be taken from their debut album, Resist. This one features a slightly
downtempo beat from previous singles and is intercut with some beautiful piano
melodies, all of which bring out the best in Sian's lush vocals and some inspired
use of strings. The single features a Decoder & Substance Edit as well
as a mix featuring an Ashley Beedle Soultek Vocal and is available in two
formats. To sample the sound of Kosheen, click here...
FLAMING
LIPS - DO YOU REALISE?:
A surreal slice of ponderous rock from the band that everyone is raving
about at the moment, Do You Realise is a beautifully-written, thought-provoking
and completely uplifting string-based journey through the sub-conscious which
simply gets better with each listen. It has been compared to a more upbeat
version of Mercury Rev, and it is easy to see why, as the sound of the Lips
is equally as distinctive and no less compulsive. Released across three formats,
both CD singles include previously unreleased bonus tracks (two of which are
the no less bizarre, If I Go Mad/Funeral In My Head and Syrtis Major, taken
from the 'Xmas On Mars' soundtrack). There is also a DVD format featuring
the video to the single and another two unreleased bonus tracks. A feast,
then, for Lips fans.
MONDAY, AUGUST 12:
SUGABABES
- ROUND, ROUND:
A poor week for singles this week, making the Sugababes latest, Round
Round, Indielondon's single of the week! That's not to say that this isn't
a catchy, feelgood, chart-pleaser; but rather it is a little too mainstream
for our usual tastes. Nevertheless, as a follow-up to the Freak Like Me track
(which is featured as a Dancehall mix on this CD), this is another effortlessly
cheesy slice of popular dance. The track also features on the soundtrack to
upcoming movie, The Guru, and certainly places the Sugababes at the forefront
of the current crop of teenie boppers such as Hearsay et al. The forthcoming
new album may be worth a listen after all!
MARY
J BLIGE: RAINY DAYZ:
Featuring a typically gravely voiced guest appearance from Ja Rule (whose
own single, Livin' It Up, is currently in the charts), this r 'n' b classic
is another terrific reason why Mary J is so highly-rated at the moment. The
fourth single to be taken from her latest album, Rainy Dayz is another moody,
sassy showcase for the artist's distinctive vocals, which are perfectly complemented
by Ja Rule's deep tones. This should prove another chart hit for Mary J. CD
features a selection of remixes, plus a video.
MONDAY, AUGUST 5:
COLDPLAY
- IN MY PLACE:
It's the simple things in life which so often delight the most. Take the guitar
riff which marks the start of Coldplay's latest single, In My Place, for example.
Jonny Buckland's gorgeous riff, which runs throughout the track, is simplicity
itself, perfectly complementing Chris Martin's beguiling vocals to create
a genuine modern classic. It is little wonder that Coldplay's eagerly anticipated
second album, A Rush of Blood To The Head (produced by the same team behind
their acclaimed-debut, Parachutes)
is generating such advance buzz. In terms of quality, very few singles will
come close to rivalling In My Place this year. Little surprise, then, to find
that it is Indielondon's single of the week!
ROYKSOPP
- REMIND ME/SO EASY:
A cracking follow-up single to Poor
Leno from the Royksopp duo which really underlines why they are one of
the dance acts to look out for, Remind Me is an effortless summer dancefloor
filler which deserves to do great things. Erlend gets to perform the vocals
this time round, while the seductive beats are suited to almost any occasion.
Double A-side, So Easy, is the chill-out equivalent and one that will be familiar
to anyone who has seen the latest T-Mobile television ads (the one with the
baby's face on the billboards). With that in mind, this will probably be huge.
The CD features the James Zabelia mix of Remind Me.
DOT
ALLISON - STRUNG OUT:
Dot Allison continues to do her quiet, trendy, but totally hypnotic thing
with this upbeat single, the second single to be taken from her latest album.
Strung Out features a terrific vocal performance and some wistful guitars,
and was recorded with producer Dave Fridmann, guitarist from Grasshopper,
and drummer Jeff Ament, from Mercury Rev. It also comes with two remixes -
a dancefloor re-working for We Are Science and Radioactive Man's version of
I Think I Love You. Well worth a try!
BOWLING
FOR SOUP - THE GIRL ALL THE BAD GUYS WANT:
Yet another of the Blink 182/Sum-41 sound-a-likes, Girl All The Bad Guys Want
remains, nevertheless, a compulsively silly, effortlessly enjoyable rock song,
which is as corny as it is cacthy at all times. The work of Texan pop-punksters
Bowling For Soup, who have been knocking around since 2000, one version of
the CD also features a track called Greatest Day, taken from the soundtrack
to Crossroads, that memorable Britney Spears movie. Girl, however, remains
the reason for buying it and we defy you not to smirk at least once, during
the bad babe-obsessed lyrics. Good, dirty fun for the American Pie generation.
ALANIS
MORISSETTE - PRECIOUS ILLUSIONS:
Alanis fans had to wait a long time for her third studio album, Under
Rug Swept, and they've had to wait a fair while for the second single
to be taken from it. But Precious Illusions, the follow-up to Hands Clean,
is well worth the wait; a typically feisty, angst-ridden rock-pop crossover
which perfectly brings out that unmistakable voice. Great lyrics, great chorus,
great guitar riffs running throughout, this is further proof of an artist
who has lost none of her power... or fire. The CD includes bonus tracks, Offer
and Bent 4 U.
POLYPHONIC
SPREE - SOLDIER GIRL:
Surely one of the most surreal tracks to emerge on this year's alternative
music scene, Soldier Girl belongs to a 23-piece choral symphonic pop band
from Dallas, Texas, fronted by former Tripping Daisy vocalist, Tim DeLaughter.
Big, sweeping and incredibly uplifting, Soldier Girl has been picked up by
the likes of XfM and Radio 1 as the type of track which harks back to a bygone
era (we're talking late 60s), combining elements of ELO and Mercury Rev with
the likes of current indie favourites, The Flaming Lips. It makes for compulsive
listening and is refreshingly different from most of the mainstream fodder
currently doing the rounds. Click here
for Indielondon's review of the Spree at Camden's Barfly.
(Reviews compiled by Jack Foley)
HEARD A GREAT SINGLE, BUT YET TO BUY IT? WELL, WE MAY HAVE REVIEWED IT...
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...