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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, DECEMBER 30:
RICHARD
ASHCROFT - SCIENCE OF SILENCE:
The second single to be taken from Ashcroft's Human Conditions album, Science
of Silence is a string-laden and intimate track which boasts some really personal
lyrics. The ex-Verve frontman may still be striving to reach the giddy heights
set by his previous collaboration (this is no Bittersweet Symphony), but Science
of Silence continues the trend of improvement which began with the first single
to be taken from the album, Check The Meaning. Oh, and as an added incentive
to go out and buy it, the CD features a Freelance Hellraiser mix of the aforementioned
Meaning, as well as a brand new track, Get Up Now.
PETER
GABRIEL - MORE THAN THIS:
The best single to be taken from Gabriel's return album, Up, More Than This
is a mix of the artist's new and old styles. More upbeat than anything contained
on So, but in keeping with the uptempo Us, the single is likely to appeal
to die-hard Gabriel fans as well as contemporary listeners, with its pop/rock
crossover feel. Gabriel's distinctive vocals (his own backing vocal is looped
well over the main one, perfectly complementing it) are a stand-out feature
as ever. The CD, which is Indielondon's single of the week, contains remixes
by the Polyphonic Spree and Elbow.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16:
DEATH
IN VEGAS - SCORPIO RISING:
The title track to be taken from Death In Vegas' third album, Scorpio
Rising features a blistering collaboration with Liam Gallagher and a truly
funky beat which screams of psychedelia. Opening with the lyrics, 'when you
kiss the base of my spine, make my body into your shrine', and building to
a chorus of 'If I don't go crazy, I lose my mind', this is a moody, magnificent
wish fulfilment record which brings out the best in Liam's distinctive vocals,
while also tapping into the darker edge that is Death In Vegas (think previous
singles, such as Hands Around My Throat and Aisha). A classic single from
a first class album, it is Indielondon's single of the week. The track also
features remixes from the Polyphonic Spree and The Scientist Lead Mix. Click
here for a review of the album.
AVRIL
LAVIGNE - SK8ER BOI:
Avril Lavgine seems to be the latest in a long line of feisty female rockers
dating back to the Jagged Little Pill days of Alanis Morissette - though nowhere
near as good, of course! With Complicated still being played to death on mainstream
radio stations, Lavigne has obviously decided the time is right to unleash
her latest, Sk8er Boi, which is an altogether more rocky affair. As catchy
as it may be, though, it is also instantly forgettable - making this the type
of track you'll probably find yourself singing along to during the long drive
home, but wondering why immediately afterwards. Good fun, though.
DAVID
GRAY - THE OTHER SIDE:
The first single to be taken from David Gray's A New Day At Midnight album
(his follow-up to White Ladder), The Other Side proves that the singer/songwriter
has lost none of his flare for writing quality material, even if his sound
hasn't really moved on. Slow building, lamentful and heartfelt, this is Gray
at his most assured and vulnerable and looks set to continue the artist's
recent success story. On the downside, there is the feeling that you've heard
this before; but when music sounds this good (particularly during the thumping
beat, midway through), then artist's can just about be forgiven. Classy suff.
ROLLING
STONES - DON'T STOP (LIMITED EDITION):
The Stones' strength hasn't been in their singles quality through recent years,
and Don't Stop makes no exception to this. With a gap of five years between
previous new material you hope for something inspirational. This single is
adequate, but no more. Fans will buy it, but younger generations won't be
seduced into the magic of the Stones with this. Single includes a remix of
Miss You and is available in a limited edition (deleted on day of release).
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9:
JOY
ZIPPER - GUN CONTROL EP:
I'm not usually one for Christmas songs (Slade, anyone?), but Joy Zipper have
produced a song to break the mould. Having impressed with their EP, Ron, earlier
this year, Vinny Cafiso and Tabitha Tindale return with a seasonal treat (or,
dare I say, the ideal stocking filler!). The appropriately titled Christmas
Song (or track one) is a delirious slice of hazy indie rifts, which sounds
like a cross between The Dandy Warhols and The Jesus and Mary Chain at their
most laid back, with a slice of Inspiral Carpets organ thrown in. It is perfect
chill out music for those lazy seasonal hangovers. Track two, Gun Control,
is more upbeat, and features the 'sunkissed melodies' that have become Joy
Zipper's hallmark. And Moonmoonmoon is just a nice way to round things off.
Roll on January 27, when their album, American Whip, is released. Needless
to say, Gun Control is Indielondon's single of the week! But, alas, no link
yet exists on Amazon for you to purcahse it. Try HMV.co.uk, though, and you
might get lucky.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2:
AQUALUNG
- GOOD TIMES GONNA COME:
After the massive success of their debut single, Strange and Beautiful,
Aqualung are back, with a melancholic, guitar-driven waltz - Good Times
Gonna Come. Written by Matt Hales (the brains behind the band) as a message
to his former self, when at an all-time low a few years ago, the ominous descending
minor chord sequence contradicts its stirring and uplifting lyrics. With a
sound reminiscent of Portishead, in the quiet, piano-based verse, contrasting
the heavy guitars in the chorus; this is proof of Hales' diversity as a songwriter.
This heavier sound may surprise those of you expecting more of the simple
delicacy of Strange and Beautiful, but the bluesy melody and powerful
lyrics make this a fantastic single in its own right. Indielondon's single
of the week. (Review by Heather Metherell). Click here
to listen to the track in our A/V Room...
Click here for our review of Aqualung's debut
album...
WIN: Click here to win
Aqualung T-shirts, to mark the release of the new single...
Click here for our verdict on Aqualung's
debut London gig...
EMINEM
- LOSE YOURSELF:
After a long period of average material (in my opinion), Eminem makes something
of a return to form with this first track to be taken from the soundtrack
to his critically-acclaimed debut movie, 8
Mile. Lose Yourself finds the controversial rapper in inspirational mood,
rather than the dark and deeply personal style of his last single. Backed
by some nice piano, and an accessible hip-hop beat, Lose Yourself is unmistakeably
Eminem, but offers a little bit more besides. It even works well in the movie,
which is well worth the hype currently being bestowed upon it. Single includes
the bonus track, Renegade. (Review by Jack Foley).
Click here for a preview of 8 Mile...
HEARD A GREAT SINGLE, BUT YET TO BUY IT? WELL, WE MAY HAVE REVIEWED IT...
Click here for November's
singles of the month...
Click here to see October's
singles of the month...
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...
Click here to see May's
singles of the month...
Click here to see April's
singles of the month...