JAMES BLUNT – WISEMEN
Oh dear. It shouldn’t be a surprise of course. Everyone hated You’re Beautiful right? Ah, sorry, I mean anyone who heard it more than four times began to hate it, and by the 322nd hearing started bleeding from their ears. At least I hope that was the case. I’d be worried if I knew anyone who loved it. Getting back to ‘Wisemen’, well, it’s worse than You’re Beautiful. In a bland, tired, uninspired kind of way. But hey, that wasn’t a surprise, was it? (AF). Release Date: March 13th. Link: Fansite: http://www.backtobedlam.com/
PLACEBO – BECAUSE I WANT YOU
Sleeping with Ghosts was an album that shattered my illusions that Placebo were a hit and miss band. The Bitter end was the best single they’ve released, English Summer Rain and Special Needs complemented the album nicely. With this album they seem to have reverted to type. The type in this instance appears to be Bloc Party. There is this angular, choppy guitar going on, but underneath is the lurking menace that suggests they haven’t gone light-hearted just yet. (CA). Release Date: March 6th. Link: Fansite: http://www.sweet-prince.com/
PINK – STUPID GIRL
Essentially taking the mick out of personality-less bimbos that vomit themselves thin, fashion their clothes so their boobs push up and out proud, and cover themselves in awful airline hostess tans, and doing it in a cartoony Latin way that makes it totally inoffensive and hard to take seriously. Much like the Black Eyed Peas. It’s catchy bubblegum pop that’s smarter than the average Ashlee, Jessica, or Hilary. Not as good as her second album but alright. (CA). Release Date: March 6th. Link: Official Site: http://allthingspink.imess.net/
FEBRUARY 2006
ORSON – NO TOMORROW
Hollywood based band whose lead singer played the lead in the US production of Phantom of the Opera. And that’s all there is interesting about this band. Another of these bands like Phantom Planet - a band that exudes cool because of what they’ve done prior to this, and subsequent look. Hardly memorable or insightful, but it won’t need to be to sell. Perfect for Commercial AOR image-based tame rock radio stations. Or Johnathan Ross’ Radio Show. (CA). Release Date: 27th February. Link: Official Site: http://www.orsonband.com/
CHARLOTTE CHURCH – MOODSWINGS
Oh dear. Time has made so much more of a difference to me. I’ve had time to reflect, and actually there is something about Ms Church’s success that pleases me. Perhaps like Pink, it is much to do with here non-archetypal figure for bubblegum pop. The natural pear-shaped woman figure gives a sense of reality to her, and undoubtedly in twenty years time, she will have filled Jane Macdonalds shoes and be singing on the cruise ships with a CD out every christmas. But for the moment, enjoy this pleasant little rocker that is as much quirky and humorous as Pink’s Stupid Girl, and unlike her previous two offerings, a touch more restrained. (CA). Release Date: February 27th. Link: Fansite: http://charlottechurch.net/index.html
THE DARKNESS – IS IT JUST ME?
Ah, it’s easy pun on the title time again. Lazy yes, but also fun, too. Because if the question is “Who still likes The Darkness?”, that would be a great answer from Justin and co. I guess everyone was hoping they’d be the new Queen, but they’ve plumped for being the new ‘average cock-rock eighties band’. I don’t want to completely right them off like everyone else has, just because their debut album was so fun, but I really hope they hole up somewhere and come back with a really great third album which doesn’t sound anything like this. (AF). Release Date: 20th February. Link: Official Site (as there don’t seem to be any fan sites): http://www.thedarknessrock.com/
THE MAGIC NUMBERS – SEE YOU, YOU SEE ME
As much as I love The Magic Numbers, there annoying insistence on releasing almost every track on the album as a single is beginning to drive me crazy. This is fine in the context of the album, but as a single it fails to grab, and I can’t see it converting anyone to them. (AF). Release Date: 13th February. Link: Fansite: http://www.mtedwards.co.uk/themagicnumbers/
KUBB – GROW
"Just let it grow / Let it grow inside of you / Let it grow / Let it flow inside of you / Let it grow let it grow let it grow" sings Kubb, over and over again. Which amuses the eight year old inside of me (not that I literally have an eight year old inside me. That would be bizarre. And need science not yet created to be carried out), as, well, Kubb claims it’s about love, not sex. Though it clearly is. Anyhoo, this is bland, okay, but after five listens really begins to grate. Oh well, it just about gets a positive review because of the sexual innuendo. And yes, I should be embarrassed about this review. But oddly I’m not. (AF). Release Date: February 6th. Link: Official Site: http://www.kubbmusic.co.uk/
JANUARY 2006
THE GO TEAM – LADY FLASH
For all their quirks of having two drummers, a bassist in a crash helmet and seventies strings, the “Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah” ‘s bored me within twenty seconds of listening to it. In trying to be different, they’ve failed to provide any words to latch on to, and thus interest is lost before they’ve reached the first minute. I’ve seen it listed as their trademark tune. That doesn’t bode well for me. (CA). Ah, and me neither, a trusted friend who has great taste in music loves The Go Team, but I just cannot see why. They’re far to easy to damn with faint praise, with words like “pleasant” and “vaguely but only slightly memorable” the best way to describe them. (AF). Release Date: January 30th. Link: Official Site: http://www.thegoteam.co.uk/
BETH ORTON – CONCEIVED
Odd move this. Perhaps in an attempt to connect with younger fans, the brooding folky somber melodies have been replaced with something much more uplifting, and all the more in line with Housewives’ acoustic guitar favourite David Gray. Even the album cover of Comfort with Strangers looks similar to Gray’s last LP. Backed by a video set somewhere in CBeebies land one would imagine, it does suggest Orton is either getting broody or has developed maternal instincts in the wake of an impending birth, or new motherhood? Either way, a radical departure from Concrete Sky, Stolen Car, and definitely She Cries Your Name. (CA). Release Date: January 30th. Link: Official Site: http://www.bethorton.co.uk/
STARSAILOR – THIS TIME
Moving to Belfast have given James Walsh a melancholy perspective, but this has the uplifting blend of Silence is Easy, and the pained misery of preceding single In the Crossfire. The Intensity is certainly there. Really powerful stuff if you’re in the right frame of mind. (CA). Release Date: 23rd January. Link: Fansite: http://www.goodsouls.org.uk/
ARCTIC MONKEYS – WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
Arguably surpasses Bet you look good on the dancefloor, “she dun’t do major credit cards, I doubt she does receipts, I’ve seen him with girls of the night and he told Roxanne to put on her red light.” Using Yorkshire inflections like “summat” adds to the authenticity, and if they continue like they are, they will surpass the Libertines by having all the talent, but none of the baggage. Alongside Dancefloor and Mardy Bum, that’s three immediately accessible singles to build a promising debut from. Hopefully they can outlive the hype. (CA). Hmmm, I’m not so sure. They smack of laziness to me, they’ve heard The Libertines first album and just thought, hey, why not copy their trademark style. Plus the sentiment behind this – Pimps are bad, mmmmkay, seems ridiculously obvious and slightly pointless. Maybe they’ll grow on me. Maybe. Then again, maybe I’m just bitter that they swept the board at the NME awards whilst Arcade Fire were ignored. Yes, yes, that’s fairly probable. (AF). Release Date: January 16th. Link: Fansite: http://www.arctic-monkeys.com/
JOSE GONZALES – HEARTBEATS
Oh how Q, Mojo and all the ‘adult’ music magazines have gone moist for Jose. And oh, how I can’t understand why. It’s certainly pleasant, vaguely likable stuff, but far too much like Damien Rice for my liking, and lyrics wise he doesn’t compare. Perhaps the album’s a grower. That’s the only way I can make sense of all the hype surrounding him right now. (AF). Release Date: 9th January. Link: Official Site: http://www.jose-gonzalez.com/
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – BURN THE WITCH
Ah, The Queens never let us down do they, hell, even their worse songs are better than 99% of hard rock around. This pumps, it humps, it’s got an incredibly striking video, and I’d like to hear it far more often on the music channels than I do. But I’ve only got Freeview. And thus am tortured daily with crap. Anyhow, I’m rambling. In short – This is great. Buy it! (AF). Release Date: 9th January. Link: Fansite: http://qotsa.mskiteonline.com/theindex.php?page=index
RICHARD ASHCROFT – BREAK THE NIGHT WITH COLOUR
When I first saw this on Jonathan Ross’ inane chat show, I though finally something would be worth listening to on the show. But ah, no. Richard Ashcroft used to bored on being a musical hero, with the mid-nineties Verve material being oh so lovable. But ever since he split the band up, he’s been trying to induce coma’s in to all of us. Who knows why. Hopefully he’ll snap out of it soon enough and go back to writing classic songs. He certainly isn’t right now. (AF). Release Date: 9th January. Link: Fansite: http://www.ashcroftunofficial.co.uk/index1.htm
Click here to discuss the above singles on the Garbled Forums.
BELLE AND SEBASTIAN – FUNNY LITTLE FROG
ALSO RELEASED IN JANUARY:
January 2nd:
Aaron Smith Ft Luvli - Dancin’
Editors - Munich
Louis XIV - Pledge Of Allegiance [7” only]
Naughty Boy - Phatbeach (I’ll Be Ready)
Simply Red - Something Got Me Started/A Song For You
Supergrass - Fin [7” only]
January 9th:
Allure - Hate 2 Love U/Uh Oh
Bon Jovi - Welcome To Wherever You Are
Coldcut - Man In A Garage
Crimea - Lottery Winners On Acid
Discharge Ft MG15 - Split [7” only]
Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel
Hoboken - Beauty Queen
House Headz - Stella
Jessica Moon - Eyes On You
Keith Urban - You’ll Think Of Me
The Kooks - If You Don’t Love Me
Mario Rosenstock - Jose & His Amazing Techincolor Overcoat
Mark Owen - Hail Mary
Mylo - Muscle Cars
Nicki French - Total Eclipse Of The Heart 2006
Rammstein - Rosenrot
Red Carpet - Alright
Shy FX Ft T Power - Everyday [12” only]
Soul Central - Need You Now
Sunblock - I’ll Be Ready
Texas - Sleep
Thievery Corporation - Time We Lost Our Way [7” only]
Trinity - Like The Sun
Wolfmother - Minds Eye [7” only]
January 16th:
!Forward Russia! - Twelve
A-Ha - Analogue
Alex Parks - Honesty
Beyonce - Check On It
Bromheads Jacket - What Ifs And Maybes
Cat Power - Greatest [7” only]
Cheeky Girls - I’m Too Sexy
Clearlake - Good Clean Fun [7” only]
Colder - To The Music
Daniel Powter - Jimmy Gets High
Don Fardon - Belfast Boy
Dustin’s Bar Mitzvah - To The Ramones
Early Years - All Ones And Zeroes
Ferry Corsten -Fire
Hi Tack - Say Say Say
Jagged Edge -So Amazing
Mattafix - To & Fro
Notorious BIG - Nasty Girl
Porno - Music Power
Scary Kids Scaring Kids - Only Medicine [7” only]
Secret Machines - Alone, Jealous & Stoned [12” only]
Sol Seppy - Move [7” only]
South - A Place In Displacement
Sunshine Underground - Commercial Breakdown
Sway - Little Derek
Test-Icicles - What’s Your Damage?
Thee Unstrung - Who Runs The Show
Tiga - Good As Gold
Tina Dico - Warm Sand
Will Young - All Time Love
January 23rd:
Absent Kid - Shame On Us All
Andrew Spencer Ft Pit Bailey - I’m Always Here
Be Your Own Pet - Let’s Get Sandy
Beck - Hell Yes [7” only]
Boogie Pimps - Music In Me
Cents of Entitlement - Who Do You Love
David Banner - Play
Deep Elem - Lost In The Woods [7” only] HIM - Killing Loneliness
Ian Van Dahl - Movin’ On
Infadels - Can’t Get Enough
Javine - I Love Your Smile
Joan As Police Woman - My Gurl Sweet Thing [7” only]
Joseph Arthur - Devil Broom
Kris Drever - Beads & Feathers
LMC Ft Rachel McFarlane - Get What You Give
The Maybes - Stop, Look & Listen [7” only]
Merz - Postcard From A Dark Star [7” only]
Moby - Slipping Away
Motorettes - Super Heartbeats
Neal Casal - You Don’t See My Crying
Nickelback - Far Away
Pharrell - Angel
Playgroup - Front 2 Back
Protocol - Where’s The Pleasure
Richard Hawley - Just Like The Rain
Sam Brown - Ukulele & Voice EP
Seamus Haji Ft Emanuel - Take Me Away
Shortwave Set - Repeat To Fade
Son Of Dork - Eddie’s Song
Sons And Daughters - Dance Me In/La Lune [12” only]
Steve Harvey Ft Cockney Rebel - Last Goodbye
Sugarmonkey - So Far Too Late
Three 6 Mafia Ft Young Buck & Eightball & MJG - Stay Fly
Young Jeezy Ft Akon - Soul Survivor
Your Vegas - Flybuzz
January 30th:
50 Cent - Hustler’s Ambition
Angela Lawriw Ft Skinnyman - Another Day
Ashlee Simpson - Boyfriend
Ben Lee - Gamble Everything For Love
Bon Jovi - Welcome To Wherever You Are
Chris Brown Ft Juelz Santana - Run It
Choong Family - Memory Lane
Claude McLin - Jambo
Colder - To The Music
Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round
Hazey Janes - Your Enemy
Idiot Pilot - A Day In The Life Of Poolshock
Jesse McCartney - Beautiful Soul
Layo & Bushwacka! - Life2Live
Lee Ryan - When I Think Of You
Martin Solveig - Jealousy
Micah P Hinson - Yard Of Blonde Girls
Mogwai - Friend Of The Night
The Noisettes - IWE
Shady Baird - Treeology
Spida Lee - Verbal Assassin
Tiesto Ft Allure - Love We Lost
Tool - Parabola/Schism [DVD Only]
Tunng - Pioneers EP
Upper Room - All Over This Town
Young People - Five Sunsets In Four Days
February 6th:
Absent Kids - Shame On Us All/Quiet Playground
Alarm MMVI - Superchannel
Allure - Hate 2 Love U/Uh Oh
Antony Costa - Do You Ever Think Of Me?
BellX1 - Flame
Bullet For My Valentine - All These Things I Hate (Resolve Around Me)
Cornershop Ft Rowetta - Wop The Groove
David Banner - Play
Dem Franchize Boyz - I Think They Like Me
El Presidente - Turn This Thing Around
Fall Out Boy - Sugar We’re Going Down
Harrisons - Blue Note
Hollies - So Damn Beautiful
Jessica Moon - Eyes On You
Jimi Jameson - I’m Always Here
Joey Negro - Make A Move
Kbc - Price Before The Fall
Keith Urban - You’ll Think Of Me
Liam Frost - She Painted Pictures
The Liars - The Other Side Of Mount Heart Attack
Lost Witness Ft Tiff Lacey - Love Again
Meck - Thunder In My Heart Again
Mew - Why Are You Looking Grave
Neal Casal - You Don’t See My Crying
Ron Hall & The Mutherfunkerz - The Way You Love Me
Sebastian Tellier - Broadway
Shakira - Don’t Bother
Skindred - Pressure
The Source Ft Candi Staton - You Got The Love
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Last Goodbye
Take That - Relight My Fire
tATu - Friend Or Foe
Three 6 Mafia - Stay Fly
Ying Yang Twins Ft Pitbull - Shake
February 13th:
Ashanti - Still On It
Beulah - Stay
Boy Kill Boy - Back Again
Daniel Powter - Jimmy Gets High
David Ford - I Don’t Care What You Call Me
Dilated Peoples - Back Again
Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel
Emmanuel - Flirtin’
Envelopes - Freejazz
Fallout Trust - Washout
Four Day Hombre - First Word Is The Hardest
Four Story - Hand On My Heart
Friday Hill - One More Night Alone
Goldfrapp - Ride A White Horse
Helen Boulding - I Don’t Know What I Want
Hush - If You Go Breaking My Heart
Humanzi - Long Time Coming
Jewel - Again And Again
Joseph Arthur - Devil’s Broom
Levy - On The Dancefloor
Liberty X - Then There Was You
Liz McClarnon - Woman In Love
Marcos Hernandez - If You Were Mine
Michael Jackson & Friends - I Have This Dream
Missy Elliott - We Run This
The Modern - Industry
Nickelback - Far Away
Oceanlab - Sirens Of The Sea
Open Air Ft Gram’ma Funk - Hi Roller
Paul Weller - Blink And You’ll Miss It
Reel People - In The Sun
Rhymefest - Brand New
Saucy Monky - I Touch Myself
Sparks - Perfume
Stellastarr* - Sweet Troubled Soul
Stevie Wonder - From The Bottom Of My Heart
Ultrabeat Vs Scott Brown - Elysium
February 20th:
Alkaline Trio - Burn
All American Rejects - Move Along
Athlete - If I Found Out
Barefoot - It’s Like That
Buzzcocks - Wish I Never Loved You
Chico - It’s Chico Time
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – In This Home On Ice
Corrine Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On
Delays - Valentine
Dizzee Rascal - Waste Man
Funeral For A Friend - Roses For The Dead
Keisha White - The Weakness In Me
Madonna - Sorry
Mario Rosenstock - Jose & His Amazing Techincolor Overcoat
Maximo Park - I Want You To Stay
Michael Jackson - Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Morning Runner - Burning Benches
Natasha Thomas - Skin Deep
Nicki French - Total Eclipse Of The Heart 2006
OK Go - A Million Ways
Shaggy - Ultimatum
Shout Out Louds - Please, Please, Please
Simon Webbe - After All This Time
Simple Plan - Crazy
We Are Scientists - It’s A Hit
Westlife - Amazing
February 27th:
65 Days Of Static - Radio Revolution
Babyshambles - 32nd Of December
Bow Wow Ft Ciara - Like You
The Boy Least Likely To - Be Gentle With Me
The Concretes - Chosen One
Craig David - Unbelievable
Eminem Ft Nate Dogg - Shake That
The Favours - One Up On You
The Feeling - Sewn
Fightstar - Waste A Moment
Flip & Fill - 6 Days (On The Run)
Freemasons Ft Amanda Wilson - Watchin’
Graham Coxon - Standing On My Own Again
Hot Chip - Over And Over
Howling Bells - Wishing Stone
Jason Mraz - Geek In The Pink
Love Bites - He’s Fit
Matt Willis - Hey Kid
Michael Jackson - Rock With You
Mystery Jets - The Boy Who Ran Away
The Open - We Can Never Say Goodbye
Orson - No Tomorrow
Pussycat Dolls - Beep
The Rakes - All Too Human
Sean Paul - Temperature
White Rose Movement - Girls In The Back
The Wrens - Faster Gun
Alex Finch, Craig Aston.
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