May 2008 Archives

A decent batch of singles this week which is a shame as I wanted to be nasty. But I can only work with what's put in front of me so, without further ado, here is a selection of the new releases. This week, they'll be judged by the following ratings:

*****Kelly Brook
****Trevor Brooking
***Smallbrook Queensway
**Brooke Hogan
*Steve Brookenstein

"That's Not My Name" - The Ting Tings
One of the bright new things of 2008 (yawn) although I'm not sure of that - especially with lyrics such as "they call me Jane, that's not my name".
But I have to admit that I actually kind of like this. A sort of guilty pleasure, very much like Shampoo's "classic" Trouble in 1994.
***

"The Only One" - The Cure
Jangly guitars, introspective lyrics and Robert Smith's unmistakable whiney vocals means I'm in bliss!
It's classic Cure and to add to the joy, they'll be releasing a single on the 13th of the next three months until the as-yet-untitled new album is released in September.
****

"I Want It" - Chanelle Hayes
I don't. I really don't want this. What was I saying about this week's good singles? It's like the worst Britney Spears song, gone totally wrong.
But what was I expecting from a Big Brother reject, Posh Spice wannabe? Although, to be fair to Chanelle, Mrs Beckham would probably kill to be this "good".
*

"Ghosts" - Ladytron
A killer slice of dark, slightly ghostly, electro indie pop from the Liverpool four-piece.
And, if this fantastic single is anything to go by, their fourth album Velocifero (released next month) will be a new wave corker.
****

"This Is An Emergency" - The Pigeon Detectives
They are either adored by their loyal fanbase or vilified by the indie music press but, to be honest, I can't see how they provoke either reaction.
You see, this is just predictable samey guitar pop and if it was on the radio right now, I probably wouldn't realise it was them.
**

"Bad Kids/Leroy Faster" - Black Lips
What's not to like about Black Lips? They sound like a psychedelic, 60s guitar band but play with their tongues planted firmly in their cheeks.
They can be childish and outrageous, but they are also witty and the fact that they refer to themselves as 'flower punks' means they deserve the single of the week label.
**** (and a half)

"Salute Your Solution" - The Raconteurs
Blues meets garage pop. Led Zeppelin meets punk. Whatever...this is another delightful piece of rock n' roll!
Surely the band deserves to be seen now as more than just a side project for Brendan Benson and Jack White while they take a break from the day job.
****

"Nobody's Diary" - Yazoo
A textbook early 80s, synth pop gem and it still sounds awesome today. It has been remastered and the great melody and superb vocals by Alison Moyet sound as fresh as they did all those years ago.
A box set featuring the band's two albums, along with other goodies, to coincide with a reunion tour are also set to send the UK Yazoo mad.
****

Sir Paul McCartney. One quarter of The Beatles. The McCartney in the Lennon-McCartney song-writing partnership which changed the face of British pop music in the 60s.

And yet according to a poll, he is the most annoying pop star in the world. What on earth do they base this on? Well, according to Craig Dawson, head of www.musicmagpie.co.uk, who published the list, people are fed up with Macca because he has "driven people up the wall with his 'holier than thou' approach to his divorce, two-fingered peace gesture and penchant for wearing trainers with suits".

Well, there you go then. He is the most annoying musician because of non-music related reasons. More annoying than Robbie Williams, Liam Gallagher, Mick Hucknall, Jay Kay, The Spice Girls, Bono, Bob Geldof, The Cheeky Girls, James Blunt and Johnny Borrell.

Well, sorry, I can't accept that. Macca should never have been anywhere near the Top 10 based on his contribution to music. I don't care for the reasons given, he was the driving force behind most of The Beatles best work. Ok, his subsequent Wings and solo work was patchy and at times awful (The Frog Chorus anyone?) but I'll forgive him anything because he gave us Penny Lane, Hey Jude, Here There and Everywhere and Blackbird to name a few.

Of course, he is upstaged in most people's eyes by John Lennon but I suppose that is what you get when you are not gunned down at a relatively young age. No one would deny Lennon's brilliance, but Paul was his equal. And he is far more likeable as a person than Lennon ever was.

It was Paul who formed a band, got in a bus and toured Student Unions and small venues after The Beatles split, while the others revelled in their rock God status - a far more punkish and man of the people attitude than "imaginging no possessions" while sitting at a grand piano in your plush New York home.

John was a genius and worthy of hero worship. But it would be nice if people got over themselves and stopped mocking a true music legend.

Here are a few of this week's new singles that I have put before my critical ears. And, as always, they will be judged using the following ratings:

***** Rocky
**** Rambo - First Blood
*** Cliffhanger
** Lock Up
* Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot

"Falling Down" - Scarlett Johansson
She's beautiful, a great actress and just to prove she is closing in on perfection, she releases this dazzling, unique, Wall Of Sound-ish gem.
It's a Tom Waits cover with David Bowie on backing vocals and is far better than people may have been expecting. SJ's deep, near-Nico style vocals add to the sense of drama on this track. An unexpected delight.
****

"Beloved" - Minnie Driver
Another song, another Hollywood actress crossing the divide. But the difference here is Minnie already has last year's Sea Stories album, where this is lifted from, under her belt.
A more conventional, country-tinged rock effort than Scarlett's single, but a solid effort nevertheless.
***

"In My Arms" - Kylie Minogue
I will argue till the day I die that Some Kind Of Bliss remains her best song, despite the British public largely ignoring it.
But here she sticks to her current winning disco formula and she delivers again. Deliciously catchy, a dancefloor filling hit-in-the-making from a girl it's impossible not to adore.
****

"That's What You Get" - Paramore
Maybe it's just me, but this sounds more like an "edgy" effort by someone who was probably the winner or runner-up on American Idol.
Of course. it's anything but edgy and has radio-friendly stamped all over it. It's not bad, it's just a tad unremarkable and the sort of power pop effort that could be on in the background without you ever noticing.
** (and a half)

"Alone" - Celine Dion
Incredible. And not in a good way. She somehow contrives to make Heart's orginal, overblown, epic sound as soft and under-stated as a Nick Drake song.
Having a voice that can shatter windows from 100 miles away is NOT good. It's been 10 years since she inflicted that horrid Titanic theme on us, but unfortunately her career hasn't gone the same way as the famous old boat did...
*

"Poison" - Martina Topley-Bird
What a welcome sound for sore ears! Her long awaited second album The Blue God is finally out next week, five years after he first LP, and this is a superb taster.
It's clever, it's infectious and it's actually pure pop but, as ever, her gorgeous voice remains the main highlight - just as it was on her debut Quixotic and Tricky's first two albums back in the 90s.
*****

"Daddy-O" - Wideboys feat Shaznay Lewis
A little curious, this collaboration. Why would the most talented one from All Saints lend her vocals to what is really a monotonous dance track?
Whatever her reasons, this isn't the mess it could have been, although it'll probably struggle to avoid not getting lost amongst a million other dance tracks out currently out there.
***

"Galaxy of the Lost" - Lightspeed Champion
A quite lovely piece of folk rock from the former Test Icicles man.
It may be acoustic driven but there are enough twists and turns to lift it beyond the ordinary.
***

"Bluebirds Flying High" - James Fox and Cardiff City FC
Oh how we laughed as all those David's slayed Goliaths including Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, in this year's FA Cup.
But we are not laughing now we realise Portsmouth v Cardiff awaits us at Wembley. Be honest, other than fans of the clubs, how many will watch without a Ronaldo, a Torres, a Drogba or a Fabregas on show? Thought so.
Oh the song? Well, it's sub standard Championship fare, like the team it backs, and is littered with golden lyrical nuggets such as "We are Cardiff City and we're going to Wembley". Where's Chas & Dave when you need 'em?
**

My review of some of the singles out this week. A little later than intended because Paul Scholes, to paraphrase the Manics, stole the sun from my heart on Tuesday. But here goes anyway:

***** Grange Hill
**** Benny Hill
*** Cypress Hill
** Damon Hill
* Jimmy Hill

"Daylight" - Kelly Rowland
Upbeat, catchy and full of joy so this is either a great tune to lift your day or an annoyingly happy one that makes you want to smash the radio - it all depends on your mood.
So this week I hate it...but recognise I might not feel this way next week.
*/****

"God" - Attic Lights
Their name might be pants but this is pitched somewhere between The Flaming Lips and Lemonheads and is a jaunty little song.
But ignore that. Go on their MySpace page and look in the blog where they offer you an exclusive online chat with God itself! That's much more fun...
***

"It's About Time" - One Night Only
What is it with people this week? Don't they know I'm in a football-related bad mood? Why do they taunt me with their bouncy feelgood songs?
Although, got to give kudos for the suckerpunch of a line "then it came to me clearly that I don't need you anymore" after spending most of the song pining for a great lost love. Nice.
****

"Propane Nightmares" - Pendulum
Pendulum are getting a bit of grief from drum and bass purists for incorporating rock into their sound, but if they get over themselves, they'll realise this is a quality tune.
And, anyway, the EP has remixes on it to keep the old school fans happy.
****

"Maybe" - Jay Sean
Bland, polished, over-produced - so no doubt destined to be a massive hit.
Really, who buys this rubbish? Whoever you are, stop it! You are only encouraging him to make more...
*

"Rich Woman" - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Amidst all the Led Zeppelin reunion hoo-hah, it was easy to let this collaboration slip under the radar and out of view.
But it works really well and this laid-back bluesy number is a fine advert for the Raising Sands album.
****

"Never Never Love" - Pop Levi
How can you not like this? Irresistable, unforgettable slice of electronica which will get into your head and stay there. For ages.
He is kind of like an electronic Beck in terms of his inventiveness and ear for a great tune.
****

"Who's That Girl?" - Robyn
This is the latest single from the Swedish star who enjoyed massive success last year with that With Every Heartbeat song.
And if you get the impression that I haven't actually bothered listening to this song yet and am just buying time by rambling on about one of her past hits, you'd be right.
***

"Swords Of Truth" - These New Puritans
If a big beat dance group, such as Underworld, was fronted by The Fall's Mark E Smith, it might sound a little like this.
It's clever, it's eclectic and light years ahead of anything most other new British bands will offer up this year. Single of the week for me.
****

"Let's Talk About It" - White Denim
Let's not.
**