Single File

Here is my review of some of the singles released this week. And this week they will be given a rating using the following guide:

***** Billie Piper
**** Sport Billy
*** The Beverley Hillbillies
** Billy from EastEnders
* Billy Ray Cyrus

"Our Time Now" - Plain White T's
Yeah, ok it's upbeat and seems to be wanting to welcome the summer in but it's just, well, bland and a few minutes of nothing in particular.
And if this is considered single material then I think I'll give the album a miss.
**

"Courtship Dating" - Crystal Castles
At times, the sounds on this are reminiscent of a game loading up on the ZX Spectrum or an Atari. Which is great!
Unfortunately not as mental or noisy as "Alice Practice" but don't let that put you off as this is more melodic and another winner.
****

"Your Love Is A Lie" - Simple Plan
A mid-tempo rocker which will no doubt be lapped up by crowds at festivals and stuff. A bit like Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", only not as good.
It's one of those songs which will be played on the radio a lot and people will recognise it but you won't find anyone admitting to actually buying it.
**

"Cold Shoulder" - Adele
A cracking tune, a cracking voice making an all round cracking song that deserves to be as successful as Chasing Pavements.
Blue-eyed soul in the noughties exactly how it should be.
****

"Maps" - Phil Campbell
Blimey! I saw his name and immediately thought of the lead guitarist of Motorhead.
So imagine my shock when, rather than being a solo single from the thrash metal axeman, it turned out to be a country-tinged rock effort sung with a polished radio-friendly voice.
***

"This Gift" - Sons and Daughters
Remember the early 80s Aussie soap Sons and Daughters? Nothing to do with this single, I was just asking.
Produced by ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, this has a more power pop feel to it than their previous efforts. Very catchy indeed.
***

"She Doesn't Belong To Me" - Pete and the Pirates
Not as immediate or memorable as "Mr Understanding" but quirky enough to warrant your attention.
Plus their name is pretty cool and that matters a lot!
***

"The Girl You Lost" - Sia
Buy, beg, steal or borrow a copy of this song because it's just utterly fantastic and unquestionably my single of the week.
She has always had a voice to fall in love with with songs to match and this is no different. Absolutely wonderful.
*****

"Paris, Tokyo" - Lupe Fiasco
Following "Superstar" was always going to be a difficult task but credit to Mr Fiasco as I think he has made quite a smart move with this one.
Sort of laid back and cool in a Fun Lovin' Criminals kind of way.
***

"Backfire At The Disco" - The Wombats
Arctic Monkeys-style "young working class bloke" lyrics? Check. Inexplicable hype surrounding the band? Check. No different to gazillions of bands out there? Check.
But hang on. Hasn't this been released before? Or is that familiarity just a sign of its unoriginality? Whatever, no doubt it'll be played to death on raido, used on adverts before it crowbars itself into your head.
**