Results tagged “Delays” from Birmingham Mail - Blog Rockin' Beats

It's hard to believe but Madonna is 50 years old today! It only feels like yesterday when she was cavorting around singing about holidays and being a virgin. So a very happy birthday to the Material Girl and this week's batch of new singles will be reviewed against the following Madge-related ratings.

***** Like A Prayer
**** Justify My Love
*** Borderline
** 4 Minutes
* Madonna's movies

"She Left me" - Go: Audio
I'm not surprised she ran a million miles if this is the best they can come up with.
Like a poor McFly b-side. And considering McFly's a-sides are crap, that is stinging criticism indeed.
*

"Man-Sized Wreath" - REM
Another superb example of their magnificent return to form with this year's Accelerate album.
Fuzzy guitars, great harmonies - vintage REM and, at just two and a half minutes, it doesn't out stay it's welcome.
*****

"Spiralling" - Keane
Bless 'em, they are still trying. But the harder they try the further down and down and down they go.
This just sounds like an attempt to jazz up their usual style but it only mamages to come across like an 80s cast off.
*

"Mercury" - Bloc Party
This is one of those that you'll either love or hate, so to help I'm going by sitting on the fence.
On one hand, it's a slightly disappointing effort compared with Silent Alarm but on the other hand, it's brooding, dark and awkward, daring to be different. Oh, make your own minds up...
***

"The Perfect Boy" - The Cure
The final of their four "13th" singles which precede the new album out on September 13.
Not a bad single but not as good as the previous three. Still, the new album is set to be a fine addition to the Cure back catalogue.
***

"Keep It Simple" - Delays
This has bugged me pretty much since they released "Long Time Coming" three or four years ago, but Delays are criminally under-rated.
And this gem of a track probably won't propel them into the bigger leagues - because people are dumb.
****

"See You Again (Rock Mafia Remix)" - Miley Cyrus
As you all probably know, her dad is country star Billy Ray Cyrus! And that's probably the most interesting thing about the Hannah Montana star.
Because don't tell my ears, my achy breaky ears to listen to this weak, poor man's version of an Avril Lavigne song ever again.
*

It's that time of the week again folks. Here are a selection of new singles out this week which will be judged by the following ratings:

***** The Simpsons
**** The Flintstones
*** The Munsters
** The Osmonds
* The Waltons

"Hometown Glory" - Adele
A rather lovely, if a little haunting piano-led ballad from one of the leading lights of the solo female pop invasion of this year.
Good timing too as she has been nominated for the Mercury Music prize for her "19" album. And songs like this show what has turned the judges' heads.
****

"July" - Natty
This is one hell of a laid back and yet uplifting tune to listen to as you chill out on a lazy sunny afternoon.
In fact, it seems to have been written to earn the tag 'Sound Of The Summer'.
***

"Keep It Simple" - Delays
A sweeping, quite brilliant track that is anything but simple. Delays are one of those under-rated bands who never fail to deliver.
Easily the best thing Southampton has given to the world since developing the footballing genius that was Matt Le Tissier.
****

"Vanished" - Crystal Castles
Hmmmm. A so-so effort from the dance-indie duo, which is a shame as they have been riding the crest of a mental wave up until now.
Not that it's a totally bad track mind, just not in the same league as "Alice Practice".
**

"Moving Mountains" - Usher
First of all, I have to confess that I've never been the biggest Usher fan and never quite understood how someone so dull and unremarkable could become so hugely successful.
And now, with this mid-tempo song, it seems as if he is trying his hand at being all grown up and serious. Not a good result. Still, at least David Beckham loves him...
**

"Movie Star" - Roisin Murphy
This is a delightful, Goldfrapp-esqe slice of electronica/pop from the ex-Moloko songstress.
And to add to all the joy, she has produced a suitably bizarre and eccentric video to match. Fantastic!
****

"Mad About The Boy" - Ava Leigh
A totally gorgeous reggae-pop tune that's been around for some time but now getting a proper CD release on Monday.
Great voice, great lyrics and a great song. What more could you ask for? Single of a rather excellent week!
*****