Music - The Singles Collection

IndieLondon gleefully checks out the cream of the week's singles. All you have to do is click on the pictures to order them...

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24

LIMP BIZKIT - BEHIND BLUE EYES: Limp Bizkit assume virtually unrecognisable form with their brilliant cover of The Who's classic track, Behind Blue Eyes. Acoustically-driven, and powerfully heartfelt, the single features a terrific vocal turn from Fred Durst and should be a massive hit for them, as well as a timely boost for their Gold-selling album, Results May Vary. This is one for the fans and the sceptics to enjoy in equal measure; although devotees of The Who may beg to differ. It would certainly be interesting to hear what they think of it. The video, of course, features Fred and Halle Berry together, in scenes based around her new film, Gothika. While the single also includes the exclusive track, Just Drop Dead (which is infamous among Bizkit fans) and the DJ Monk version of Rollin'. Click here for the album...

CHEMICAL BROTHERS - GET YOURSELF HIGH: The second track to emerge from the Chemical Brothers' greatest hits compilation comes in the form of an EP packed with remixes and guaranteed dancefloor fillers (no doubt with New Year's Eve in mind). Get Yourself High is a return to the booty shaking anthems of old, and features the vocal talents of Canadian rapper, K-OS that feels far darker, and far more dirtier than anything they have put out in ages. After the relatively uplifting Golden Path, this is a more gritty reminder of what the brothers do best, with just enough about it to hint at the direction they may intend to follow in the future. Suitably strong, but still not among their finest work. The EP comes with the rare track, Electronic Battle Weapon 6, which was previously only available as a highly-sought after specialist promo on their own Freestyle Dust label, and several remixes, courtesy of the likes of Switch and Felix Da Housecat. Click here for a review of the greatest hits...

DANDY WARHOLS - PLAN A: The Dandy Warhols continue to revisit the 80s in their own, inimitable style, courtesy of the presence of Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes on production duty, and, more surprisingly, Simon Le Bon on backing vocals. The electronic loops recall the quirky eccentricities of 80s-based Bowie, while the falsetto vocals are particularly prominent, and a million miles from the band's rockier work. This is, nevertheless, an endearing record, almost lazily enjoyable, which effortlessly goes about its business. It is also the closest indication yet of what to expect from the current album, Welcome to the Monkey House. Click here for the album...

BLINK 182 - FEELING THIS: Much imitated, but seldom bettered, Blink 182 return from a two-year break with another typically powerful rock out; the type of which has been copied, in terms of style, by everyone from the All American Rejects through to some of Britain's own rock bands. Feeling This comes from the band's fifth studio album and is as angst-ridden and guitar driven as we have come to expect, albeit with that typically catchy hook that makes it difficult not to play loud, or sing-along to in some juvenile way. And while this style of music is practically two-a-penny nowadays, it still makes a refreshing change from the manufcatured pop mainstream, while also serving as a useful reminder of why Blink 182 continue to set the standards the others have to follow. Click here to pre-order the album...

THE THRILLS - DON'T STEAL OUR SUN: The Thrills attempt to cap a memorable year with the release of the fourth single to emerge from their hugely successful, and Mercury Music Prize nominated album, So Much For The City. Sadly, it's a hit and miss affair. The track bears all the hallmarks of the Dublin five piece's style of songwriting (all sun-drenched, sweet melodies and retro-Californian sound), without ever attempting to do anything different - a trait that also mars the effectiveness of the album. So while there is a certain appeal to the cheerful, old-school style, it is also beginning to wear thin - prompting the inevitable question, are The Thrills merely a one-trick pony. Hopefully, 2004 will show us what they are really made of. The single comes with the band's own take on REM's classic 'The One I Love' and a cover of the Smiths' 'Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me', as well as a live version of One Horse Town, recorded at the Abbey Road Studios. Click here for our review of the album, or here for further details of The Thrills' thrilling year...

NO DOUBT - IT'S MY LIFE: Another week, and yet another release to mark the arrival of a greatest hits LP. This time, it's No Doubt bringing you their cover version of Talk Talk's classic It's My Life, and it's a suitably hit-and-miss affair, albeit with a striking video (the one directed by photographer, David LaChapelle and featuring Gwen Stefani killing off the band, one by one, and ending up in the electric chair). It's My Life actually manages to sound more pop-orientated and more 80s kitsch than Talk Talk's original, particularly during its weak chorus. To give the band credit, though, the cover isn't anywhere near as bad as it could have been and during the verses, when Stefani's voice comes to the fore, is actually quite good. Whether it's a strong enough showcase of the band's work to make you rush out and buy the greatest hits, however, remains to be seen. Click here for a review of the album, or here to watch the video in our AV Room, or here for a band biography...

THE CORAL - BILL MCCAI: The Coral return with a musical fable about an aging commuter who wishes he was a boy again who, instead, resorts to alcoholism, poverty, and, almost inevitably, suicide. Yet anyone anticipating a dreary, miserable single would be wrong, for this is a tale told in true Coral fashion, complete with a quirky beat and some endearing guitars that somehow doesn't bring you down with it. The track is a popular favourite among Xfm listeners, who seem to think The Coral can do no wrong; but while it is certainly catchy, it falls someway short of the classic status that some Djs seem to be heaping upon it. Click here for the album...

CLEARLAKE - CAN'T FEEL A THING: Clearlake can proudly boast celebrity fans such as REM, Jools Holland and Grandaddy, as well as Jarvis Cocker, while their second album, Cedars, continues to draw critical acclaim. Can't Feel A Thing is a strong example of what to expect from it, a gutsy, if thrashy, slice of Britpop which also evokes memories of classics such as Don't Fear the Reaper in vocal style. In truth, things do become a little repetitive too soon, but there is enough to justify their hype, while that elusive breakthrough might yet be just around the corner. The somewhat melancholy We Will All Die Young is also pretty strong (evoking memories of a cockney Damon Albarn or early Smiths), while the guitar riffs running throughout I Want To Walk are especially effective. Click here for the album.

DIZZEE RASCAL - JUS A RASCAL: Fresh from his success at this year's Mercury Music Prize, Dizzee Rascal puts out the third single to emerge from that album and you can't help wondering whether the accolade was misplaced. Billed as a playful mix of tough talk, melodramatic funk and mock opera, the track is a terrible example of what to expect from the album, and a headache-inducing mix of skittering beats and thrash guitar. On the evidence of this, and previous singles, one does have to question the Mercury Music judges' reasoning. For this is crap. Click here for details of the Mercury Music Prize win...

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17

THE WHITE STRIPES - THE HARDEST BUTTON TO BUTTON: It’s been another great year for The White Stripes, what with Seven Nation Army still generating plenty of air-play on all of the major radio stations, and Kate Moss helping to ensure that I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself was another sizeable hit. The third track to emerge from Elephant, therefore, is yet another compelling reason to buy the album, with its trademark blend of hard guitars and moody vocals - and it’s probably the snappiest of all three singles to be released thus far. The single also boasts a live version of Detroit blues comrades, The Soledad Brothers' song, St Ides Of March. Do you need another reason to go out and buy it? Click here for the album…

RADIOHEAD - 2 + 2 = 5: Described by some as a glorious throwback to the Just school of songwriting, albeit with a little electronic beat thrown in to keep things contemporary, Radiohead’s latest single is certainly in keeping with the return to form that Hail to the Thief is as a whole. While not quite as good as its predecessors, Go To Sleep and There There, the track positively throbs with the guitar-sound of old, while ringing out the best in Thom Yorke’s angst-ridden tones. All hail to Radiohead for an excellent year. Click here to order the album.

BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB - WE’RE ALL IN LOVE: Second track to emerge from BRMC’s glorious return, Take Them On, On Your Own, We’re All In Love trades on the familiar, while never failing to satisfy the requirements of its genre. A big, gutsy, rock ‘n’ roll anthem, told in BRMC’s own, inimitable style, this features Hayes' vocals at their finest, while echoing memories of the likes of early T-Rex or, more latterly, the Jesus and Mary Chain in their heyday. An excellent reminder of why the album and the band continue to be so highly-rated. Click here for a review of the album.

STARSAILOR - BORN AGAIN: An urban hymn from Starsailor which is more in keeping with their work from the first album, than the progression they made with Silence Is Easy, Born Again is the type of track which helped to earn the band their miserable tag in the first place. Whiny vocals, lacklustre guitars and a general air of depression hang heavy over proceedings, making this a disappointing follow-up to that first single from their latest long-player. Click here to order the album, or here for a review of them caught live at Twickenham...

BELLE AND SEBASTIAN - STEP INTO MY OFFICE, BABY: The first single to emerge from the effortlessly feelgood Dear Catastrophe Waitress LP, Belle and Sebastian’s endearingly chirpy Step Into My Office, Baby, is a sun-drenched, harmony-laden breeze through Sixties-based psychedelia that can’t help to cheer you up. Some may find it a little too pretentious and eccentric (as this certainly isn’t designed with the mainstream in mind), but its quirky mix of indie-based pop is an excellent indicator of what to expect from the album. Click here for a review of the album.

LUDES - SHE WAS JUST A GIRL: According to their PR, Ludes have swiftly built an obsessive fan base of some of the best dressed music fans in London, through their regular appearances at some of South London's cooler venues. It's not difficult to see why. Ludes possess all the fire and energy of early Strokes, albeit with a British edge, courtesy of their punk-driven, gypsy blues skank style of songwriting, epitomised by songs such as the current doube-A side, She Was Just A Girl and Your Dog Don't Bite. But while it's refreshing to have a Brit band to get excited about for a change (and the hype surrounding them is very cool at the moment), neither of the tracks on this present release do anything different from the norm for this sort of thing. Perhaps best viewed as an interesting introduction to an exciting new prospect.

THE OPEN - NEVER ENOUGH: Hailing from Walsall and Birkenhead, The Open formed less than a year ago, but are already generating some decent buzz, even though Never Enough represents their debut release (getting themselves signed to ex-NME scribe, James Oldham, label, Loog, has probably helped!). Taking their inspiration from The Blue Nile, Talk Talk and The Verve, among others, the five-piece's first release is a guitar-driven, yet melody-friendly slice of psychedelia, backed by a rip-roaring vocal from lead singer, Steven Bayley. Second track, Music, is a moody, slow-building number, with some neat guitar-work throughout, while the equally deliberate Drown is one of those records that just keeps growing on you. And its style suggests that Bayley has the angst-ridden bit nailed down to a tee. Very promising stuff, indeed.

PRIMAL SCREAM - SOME VELVET MORNING: Primal Scream release their cover of the Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood classic, Some Velvet Morning, just weeks after their greatest hits compilation hit the shops, to serve as a timely reminder of its presence. Yet the track is a weird one, given that it represents another change of pace for Bobbie Gillespie and co, with its electronic vibe, and silky vocals, that are backed by the presence of supermodel, Kate Moss. More intriguing than essential, this is still Primal Scream refusing to become pigeon-holed into one category, which means it is likely to divide even the most ardent fans over the merits of it. Personally, I still yearn for the sound of old, circa Screamadelica, or Rocks, but the chances of that ever happening now seem remote. Some Velvet Morning is just another reason why the Scream continue to frustrate. Click here for Dirty Hits.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10

OUTKAST - HEY YA: Unquestionably one of the singles of the year, Outkast’s infectiously funky Hey Ya is one of those records that hooks you from the first time you hear it and refuses to let go. Inspired by the Sixties, yet remaining very contemporary, this uplifting blend of fast breaks and shimmering guitars will have you shaking it ‘like a Polaroid picture’ and humming along to its vocals. After the disappointment of Ghetto Musik, Hey Ya should have everyone rushing out to buy it, while also checking out the critically-acclaimed long-player from whence it came. The track is accompanied by the amazing video, directed by Bryan Barber (B.O.B and Miss Jackson), which helps to illustrate the release.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - FORTUNE FADED: The obligatory new song from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, to coincide with the release of their essential Greatest Hits compilation, is the first new work to emerge from the band since the hugely successful By The Way LP last year. And, needless to say, this bears all the hallmarks of classic Chili Peppers, with its distinctive guitars, extravagant vocals and Californian sun-drenched vibe. A compelling reason why the best of should find its way into many a stocking this Christmas.Click here to order the Greatest Hits...

ALL AMERICAN REJECTS - LAST SONG: Hot off the heels of their hugely popular, Swing, Swing, the All American Rejects release Last Song, another of those all-American rock ‘n’ roll anthems which seem to be two a penny nowadays. And what with new stuff coming from the likes of Blink 182 as well, the challenge has certainly been laid down for this sort of thing, to keep it sounding fresh. Last Song is endearingly catchy, and hopelessly good fun, but it is also the musical equivalent of fast food. Once listened to, it’s quickly forgotten, and seems destined for the soundtrack of some US teen angst/comedy. Throwaway fun, then.

LAMB - WONDER: The masters of the enchanting chillout anthems, Lamb, return with the first single to emerge from their fourth studio album, 'Between Darkness And Wonder', and do so in impressive style. Louise Robinson’s seductive lyrical style is as dream-like as ever, while the slow-building beat, while reminiscent of the work they did on the sublime Gorecki and Gabriel, is distinctive enough to stand out as another classic in its own right. Beautiful, sensual and upliftingly moving, this is, as its title suggests, a musical Wander. Click here for the album.

BASEMENT JAXX feat. DIZZEE RASCAL - LUCKY STAR: Basement Jaxx have ensured themselves the maximum exposure for their new album, Kish Kash, by teaming up with this year’s Mercury Music Prize winner, Dizzee Rascal. Unfortunately, the collaboration doesn’t work in the track’s favour, for while the Jaxx moments are typically Jaxx, complete with distorted bass and dirty beats, the underground vibe, leant by the Rascal, feels a little out of place - but then DR has done very little to impress me since winning that prize. Fun in place, then, but ultimately wrecked by its guest star. Looking forward to the album, though… Click here for the album.

STEREOPHONICS - SINCE I TOLD YOU IT’S OVER: The Stereophonics revert back to the type of tedious, acoustic-driven ballad that has helped to earn them such derision in certain quarters, for the third single to emerge from the otherwise excellent, You Gotta Go There To Come Back long-player. Since I Told You It’s Over is a classic example of The Stereophonics at their most blandly irritating and downright annoying. They are much better when they rock, as in the album tracks, Help Me (She's Out Of Her Mind), and the former singles, Madame Helga and Maybe Tomorrow. Disappointing. Click here for a review of the album...

NITIN SAWHNEY - RAINFALL: It’s taken a while, but the first single to emerge from Nitin Sawhney’s Human LP is well worth the wait, and a compelling reason why the album rates as one of the year’s very best. Rainfall features vocals from the talented Taio and UK Hip Hopster Rodney P, and is best described as a beautiful R’n’B classic, which showcases exceptional voices and wonderful songwriting. Remixes come from Wookie, Rishi Rich and Bugs In The Attic, and provide some wonderful interpretations of an already great record. Click here for a review of the album, or here for an interview with Nitin Sawhney…

MISSY ELLIOTT - PASS THAT DUTCH: Still hot off the back of last year’s successes, Missy Elliott returns with Pass That Dutch, a suitably attitude-laden rap which comes ram-packed with take notice lyrics such as ‘I’m the pain in your rectum’. The track also boasts a manic Diwali rhythm (with a lot of clapping) and some fierce bass, evoking memories of her previous release, Work It. Some may consider this a little lazy and not much of a progression, but the quality of the lyrics, and the musical time outs is such, that she just about gets away with it. A suitably eyebrow-raising return. Click here to pre-order the album, This Is Not A Test...

COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE - BLIND PILOTS: The second single to emerge from the Clause’s rocky Kick Up The Fire and Let The Flames Break Loose long-player is a suitably rousing follow-up to Promises, Promises, which sounds just a little more commercial than usual, and all the better for it. The Oasis vibe, particularly during the soaring choruses, is no bad thing, either, making this the week’s finest indie/rock offering this side of the Atlantic. Click here to order the album...

BRITNEY SPEARS feat MADONNA - ME AGAINST THE MUSIC: It may be called Me Against The Music, but it’s difficult to know why Britney has anything to moan about. Her established pop sound has never stood in the way of any success, while the production values on this one offer nothing new, save for the enticing prospect of having her sing alongside her icon. Had the track marked a change in direction, it might be a little more worthwhile, but this is just Britney covering Britney, with a touch of Madonna thrown in, which trades on the sensation they caused with that MTV kiss. Remove the hype, and the obvious nods to the sound of Justin Timberlake, with its Spanish guitars and Neptunes-based production values, and you have something that is bland, unoriginal and really not worth getting worked up about.

KELIS - MILKSHAKE: The Neptunes are a prolific bunch of late, having worked with everyone from Justin Timberlake and Britney and Madonna. Their latest collaboration, with soul diva Kelis, is another reminder of why they continue to be so in demand, as Milkshake is a sassy blend of r’n’b and soul, wrapped around an intoxicating, slightly dirty beat. Cool stuff, indeed.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3

CLARKESVILLE - HEAVY SOUL: Clarkesville, aka Michael Clarke, release the second single to emerge from the great debut album, The Half Chapter, and immediately succeed in grabbing your attention. Smacking of frustration, and inspired by a difficult relationship with a close friend, Heavy Soul still manages to sound defiantly uplifting, as though Clarke has something to say, but refuses to bring the listener down with him. He may be tired of being everyone's runaround, as the lyrcis suggest, but the chiming guitars, and uptempo drum loops, ensure that you'll be cheering for him to overcome the troubles. And, what's more, you'll probably want to hear more from the album. We would certainly urge you to do so. Click here for a review of The Half Chapter, or here for an exclusive interview with Clarkesville...

JET - ROLLOVER DJ: Fresh off the back of their brilliant, Are You Gonna Be My Girl?, Aussie-based four-piece, Jet, release the no-less excellent Rollover Dj, described as a one-fingered salute to 'the heyday of overpaid dance DJ's'. Raw, defiantly rocky and instantly catchy, this bears all the hallmars of classic production values and strong songwriting talent. If this is an indication of what to expect from the album, Get Born, then we suggest you rush out and buy it, to Jet-propel this band to superstardom! Click here to buy the album...

THE CORNERSTONES - SMACK ME IN THE FACE: The Cornerstones are five west Londoners (including the son of Spurs football legend, Steve Perryman), who have been writing, singing and playing together for the past three years, to winning effect. IndieLondon caught them supporting South and loved what it heard, so the release of this single comes as no surprise. It is typical of the quality displayed during the live sets, courtesy of its solid production values, well-realised guitars and strong vocals, which evoke memories of Crowded House at their peak. Smack Me In The Face, especially, is an effective blend of piano and guitar-led melodies, while the acoustic ballad, Standing While I'm Tired, is a superbly heartfelt effort, that really requires you to listen to what it has to say. On the strength of this introduction, we really ought to be hearing a lot more from The Cornerstones in the very near future. Make sure you catch them. Click here to find out more...

100 REASONS - GREAT TEST: Following the massive success of their debut album, Ideas Above Our Station, Surrey-based rockers, Hundred Reasons, look to take things forward with Great Test, the first track to emerge from the follow-up. And it's a suitably rousing, expertly produced bit of thrashing and wailing, in true Hundred Reasons style. The album itself was recorded in New York's Magic Shop Studios, with Marilyn Manson and Bush producer, Dave Sardy, so expect it to be heavy, and expect it to be huge. This certainly should whet the appetite of any fan. Click here to buy Ideas Above Our Station...

KYLIE MINOGUE - SLOW: Everyone's favourite pop diva, Kylie, returns with an ultra-cool slice of electro-pop, to herald the arrival of the latest album, Body Language. And, as we have come to expect, Slow, is a sensual, edgy, and ultra-sexy track that possesses a somewhat grittier edge to it, no doubt courtesy of the presence of Emilia Torrini and Mr Dan on co-writing duties. The album is said to boast the presence of Paul Oakenfold and Fatboy Slim, which suggests Kylie may be trying to move away from the obvious pop melodies that infused her last album. If that is the case, then expect the album to be a corker. Click here to pre-order it...

TIM BURGESS - ONLY A BOY: The second single to emerge from Tim Burgess' solo album, I Believe, is one of the most infectiously catchy, and the clearest sign, so far, of how far removed the solo material is from The Charlatans material. The single is a happy-go-lucky horn blasting, B-line shaking trip through the happier side of Tim's West Coast life, which screams out contentment. It is the type of record which effortlessly puts a smile on the face, and its feelgood vibe is well worth getting into. Click here for a review of the album, or here for a feature on Tim Burgess' decision to record a solo album...

JOHNNY CASH - HURT: The late Johnny Cash will be fondly remembered with the release of Hurt, his cover of the Nine Inch Nails classic which many consider to be one of the highlights of his acclaimed Lost Highways album, The Man Comes Around. Acoustically-driven and, for some, painfully slow, this remains an essential purchase for any Cash fan, particularly as it includes the memorable video, which was recently voted by Rolling Stone magazine, as the video of the year. And if that's not enough, then consider that it also contains a previously unreleased version of Wichita Lineman and Cash's inimitable cover of Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus. Click here for the album...

BURN, BURN - LOSTPROPHETS: A current fave among Xfm listeners, The Lostprophets' Burn, Burn is another reason why the Welsh nu-metallers are growing such a huge following. The first track to emerge from the eagerly-anticipated album, Start Something long-player, which was produced, in Los Angeles, by Eric Valentine (of Queens Of The Stone Age and Good Charlotte fame), is a suitably angry affair, packed with emotive lyrics and a burning desire to rebel. It's not that different from most nu metal fare at the moment, but there is something undeniably catchy about it, which forces you to play it loud.

SMALL VICTORIES - GO BACK TO BED AMERICA: Cardiff-based five-piece, Small Victories, unveil the first single to be taken from their debut album, Holding On Hopefully, and do enough to suggest the arrival of another new talent. Go Back To Bed America is a slow-building record, driven by a simple drum loop and some beguiling guitar riffs, and boosted by James Chant's soaring vocals. The lyrics, as the title suggests, are particularly timely, but to its credit, the song doesn't feel preachy, or too pretentious, while the piano-led double-A side is yet another promising sign for the future. To find out more, visit www.boobynet.co.uk, or to buy the single, click here...