ASH - ENVY
For once I don’t mind that a band’s gone back to repeating the sound of their early successes. So this is Ash strictly in 1977 mode, sweet, summery punk pop, and for once the vocals sound like Wheeler really means it (man). And it’s far better than anything they’ve done in the last five years. Hopefully this is just a sample of what the new album will be like. Release Date: August 26th. Link: Fansite: http://ashtabs.tripod.com/
ATOMIC KITTEN - TIDE IS HIGH
Soulless cover of Blondie. And like all their other covers, its more than competent, but pointless, a near copy adding absolutely fuck all new. And I never
THE FLAMING LIPS - DO YOU REALIZE?
THE MUSIC – TAKE THE LONG ROAD AND WALK IT
Oh Christ, someone’s trying to bring back baggy. No, please, don’t do it – it was only just about bearable the first time around. So this is Stones Roses-ish, with a slightly rockier edge to it, but by no means of interest if you’ve already got everything or anything Squire and Brown produced. Release Date: 19th August. Link: Official Site: http://www.themusic.uk.com/tm/index.cfm
THE PATTERN – FRAGILE AWARENESS
Think The Strokes and The Hives and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what this is all about. Catchy pop punk rock, with a slight rnb-ish twist, it’s hardly original but like the aforementioned bands, you cant help but love em. Well, like them, anyway. Release Date: Link: Official Site: http://www.the-pattern.org/
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – NO ONE KNOWS
Huzzah!! When Josh Homme started QOTSA in 1998 after Kyuss finished, I wonder if he imagined he could come up with something so great, after an outstanding and over-loud debut album, and the critically acclaimed and commercially alternative follow-up. Taken from 'Songs for the Deaf', which features new Queens inductees, Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees), and Troy Van Leeuwen (A perfect Circle), No one knows begins with possibly the catchiest riff of the year; crescendos mid point on with a wall of brass; and finishes with an eerie chime. This is addictive stoner rock at its finest. Aside from the hype surrounding Mr. Grohl, you would expect the rock world to be loving this. The interest concerning Mr. Grohl may be enough to prepel Josh, Nick et al into mainstream success. Fansite: http://www.qotsa.net/
ROYKSOPP – REMIND ME
Mmmm, yet more mellow but soothing and rather fine dance muzak. Lots of vocodery vocals don’t spoil things, despite their absence on most Royksopp tracks, and though it’s never going to be deemed as a classic, this is a fine slice of easy listening dance stuff. Release Date: 5th August. Link: Official Site: http://www.royksopp.com/
DANIEL BEDINGFIELD – JAMES DEAN
I’ve a horrible feeling that it won't be too long before everyone starts calling Bedingfield ‘the new George Michael’, especially as everyone seemingly dislikes the old one so much. Packed with Faith era arrogance, this is a horribly smug and egotistical song as Danny boy tries to work out how it’s possible that a woman doesn’t fancy him, despite all his money, fame and success. Maybe she’s just got good taste in music, yeah? Release Date: 5th August.
GEORGE MICHAEL – SHOOT THE DOG
God knows what the man thought he was doing when he decided to get all political on us. From an opening “Hello Ladies” through to a comedy attempt to chat up Cherie Blair whilst oh so harshly criticising our PM – he calls him a puppy, the bastard(!) - this just all seems so false, so unbelievably dumb and poorly thought out. The press have gone ridiculously over the top on this, which annoys, and almost makes me feel sorry for him, but only almost. I’ve no problem with what he’s expressing, it just annoys me how badly and tragically he’s done so that annoys. Release Date: 5th Aug. Link: Official Site: http://www.aegean.net/
TOPLOADER – TIME OF OUR LIVES
Presumably having decided that stealing from The Beatles is Oasis’ territory, Toploader return with a song that sounds so Rolling Stones-ish that if it were a crime (which it should be), they’d be sent down for at least twenty years. If you must know, it’s an okay slice of summery pop, but so unimaginative that it makes us sick. Release Date: 5th August. Link: Official Site: http://www.toploader.com/
SUEDE - POSITIVITY
Prospective first single from new album "A new morning". This sparks the third major incarnation of the band; gone are the keyboards of Neil Codling, and Alex (ex-strangelove) brings an added element of electric/12 string guitar. It marks a
DOVES - POUNDING
THE HIVES – DIE, ALRIGHT
More speedy yelping from the band that I just can’t make up my mind about. A lot of the tracks on the album sound just too identical, but then a lot of the time I cant help but smile when I hear them. Hmmm. Anyway, this is better than Main Offender, but not as good as the so catchy Hate To Say I Told You So. Release Date: 12th August. Link: Official Site: http://www.hives.nu/
THE FLAMING LIPS – DO YOU REALIZE
Wow. So few songs in their first few chords send shivers down your spine. But this will. Probably their finest single yet, as in it’s immediately catchy and radio friendly whilst compared with much of their former work, but more importantly, it’s one of their best tracks full stop. If Grandaddy, Mercury Rev and Doves all combined, they might just get somewhere near sounding as beautiful as this. Get this, get the album, get the tour tickets, get hooked. And start adoring. The Flaming Lips more than anyone deserve your devotion. Release Date: 5th August. Link: Official Site: http://www.flaminglips.com
COLDPLAY - IN MY PLACE
It’s easy to knock these guys for being all too sub-Radiohead, but hell, the indie world really needs something that da kids like listening too, and this will more
JULY 2002
MCALMONT AND BUTLER - FALLING
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes! No, I'm not talking about their 95 hit, although that was the benchmark for them to surpass. Breaking up as quickly as they had formed, we thought we would never see another album. 7 years later, and two solo projects that were OK, but the two artists lacked something; each other. Bernard presumably decided he would get back to focusing more on guitar, wrote some songs perfect for David, got the lavish string arrangements in again, and created a single worthy of Spector and Scott Walker, and possibly better than 'Yes'. It will stand-out like the Great Wall of China from space, and deserves to be played on every radio station in the country; in fact, it should be a REQUIREMENT of every playlist in the country. Release Date: 29th July. Link: Official Site: http://www.mcalmontandbutler.com/
BRITNEY SPEARS – BOYS
Poor. More sultry / whiney / husky talk about sex, as Ms Spears moans on about how she’s gagging for it, before trying to sing all sexy. Which just comes out as sounding embarrassingly shite. A more lowkey, and less poppy effort, lets hope this isnt the way she hopes to go, as it’s the weakest single she’s released so far. Release Date: 29th July. Link: Fansite: http://www.britneyspears.org/
MY VITRIOL - MOODSWINGS
Released as part of the re-released/remixed + bonused "Between the Lines/Finelines" concoction that was initially intended for the US market, but we get it over here too. Normally I would be a little aggrieved that they (the record company) felt the need to mess with the record, but the one upside is we get this single to maintain our patience until the recording and release of the second album. This is by far heavier than anything on Finelines, and is a great extension to their repertoire, boasting tremolo-picking, de-tuned guitars, and has a great intensity to it. Release Date: July 15th. Link: Fansite: http://209.15.66.47/myvitriol/mv56/html/index.php
DEF LEPPARD – NOW
Bon Jovi stole their thunder, but it looks as if the mighty Lep have looked to reclaim a piece back. If 1996's "Slang" was a critically acclaimed introspective morose 3 million worldwide seller, 1999's "Euphoria" was an attempt to re-create the glory days and sounded too eighties-esque to be a hit; forthcoming "X" album looks destined to be their "Crush", if forthcoming single "Now" is a fair representation. Enlisting pop producers looks set to push their commercialism beyond "Adrenalize" and fit them nicely into thr MOR radio friendly rock market of America. The band's disappointments regarding their previous 2 albums, has obviously spurned them on to write stuff that will sell, and sell big. Gone are the extravagant rock solos; the Thin Lizzy style dual guitar parts, and the Beach boy-esque backing vocals. If this we! re done by 'The Calling', it would get played by Radio 1 and MTV, but they're fortysomething’s, so it won't. Release Date: July 15th. Link: Official Site: http://www.defleppard.com/
FISCHERSPOONER – EMERGE
I’m not getting this electroclash thang at all, and I’m not afraid it admit it. What has to be the weakest scene the nme’s championed yet, it’s just slightly dull dance music with a few more vocals than usual, and there’s very little that’s avant-garde or art rock about it, or good for that matter. So yep, it’s all style, no content time yet again. And best left ignored. Release Date: 8th July. Link: http://www.fischerspooner.com/
JAMIROQUAI – CORNER OF EARTH
Seventies sounding easy listening with JK Softly singing about the beauty of life, nature, blah blah blah. Sounds good as long as you dont pay too much attention to the hippyish lyrics, and at least for once it doesn’t sound like every other song he's ever released. Release Date: 8th July. Link: Fansite: http://www.jamiroquai.com/
RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS – BY THE WAY
Take the best bits of early, and most recent Chillis, whack them together, and voila, an original, passable hit. It's by no means brilliant, but it would have to be beat the renaissance of "Californication". It's OK, but by no means any better than that. Release Date: July 1st. Link: Official Site: http://www.redhotchilipeppers.com/
NEW FOUND GLORY – MY FRIEND’S OVER YOU
Oh god I just cant take anymore of this dumb-arsed, written in five seconds, shite. How they ever got a record contract is a complete mystery to us as they sound near on identical to Jimmy Eat World, Sum 41, and every other nu-metal pop act around at the moment. Release Date: July 22nd. Link: Official Site: http://www.newfoundglory.com/
Fairly decent slice of rap rock. Not really my kind of thing, but it’s competently done and sounds pretty fine. Release Date: 22nd July.
SYSTEM OF A DOWN – AERIALS
I’m getting bored now. For a couple of singles they were a lot of fun, taking nu-metal in to all new crazy and bizarre places, but already it’s sounding far too formulaic. This is their slower than usual for SOAD, and sounds a little like Metallica in their more ballady moments. And desperately lacking any kind of edge. If this all sounds more than a little tedious, then, well, yeah, that’s because it is. Release Date: 15th July. Link: Fansite: http://webdevilnet.co.uk/soad/
SAHARA HOTNIGHTS - ON TOP OF YOUR WORLD
Feisty girl punk pop which makes me fondly think of Kenickie, which surely cant be a bad thing. Can’t see them ever being a band you’ll fall for in a big way, but they’ve become the latest group to add to must/should see list at this year’s Carling fest. Release Date: July 15th. Link: Official Site: http://www.saharahotnights.com/
MINUTE MAN – BIG BOY
Matt Jones used to be in Ultrasound, the rather marvellous prog rockers who alas imploded after just one album. And in recent interviews he’s been criticising Tiny and co for rejecting his songs – but after hearing this, it’s no surprise. Britpop guitars over vaguely whiney sub-subcircusy vocals; fun this isn’t. Okay, the lyrics are perhaps a little amusing, but this is simply nothing special. And not even close to being as good as his former band was. Release Date: 8th July. Link: Official Site: http://www.minutemanmusic.com
THE BELLRAYS – THEY GLUED YOUR HEAD ON UPSIDE DOWN
DIY punk pop, you’ve heard it all before, but do The Bellrays have anything new to say? Are they worthy of all the acclaim they’ve received in the music press? Is it even worth listening to if it comes on the radio? No. No, no, no, no, no. Once again, it’s all a case of catchy title no fucking content, and I’m getting so fed up of wasting my hard earned cash on bollocks like this. Avoid, ignore, kill. But don’t even consider buying this. Release Date: 8th July. Link: Official Site: http://www.thebellrays.com
BUSH – INFLATABLE
Christ are they still around? You’d have thought that they’d have got the message by now. Anyway, this is no radical departure for the band, as they pour out yet-more sub-Nirvana (hell, even Sub-Linkin Park) rock nonsense. Don’t just not buy it, but start sending emails to them begging ‘em to split up – the jokes gone on long enough as it is. Release Date: July 1st. Link:
Fansite: http://bubblesofbush.virtualave.net/
THE STREETS - WEAK BECOME HEROES
Another much hyped band by the NME, which it'll come as no surprise to you as being a bit shit. Supposedly working class lads rap other the most basic of beats about how you can become a hero. Bollocks, and badly written, semi-patronising and slightly annoying bollocks at that. Release Date: 29th July. Link: Official Site: http://www.the-streets.co.uk/
IDLEWILD - AMERICAN ENGLISH
Yet another band that our filed under “would like to like more than I do” in the gc(uk) record collection. Becoming more and more like a British R.E.M., but failing to replicate the catchiness of Michael Stipes tunes, it’s all so drab. Yes, there’s promise - but not as much as there once was. (AF)
After the promise of the first and second albums, Idlewild seemingly peaked with the excellent "You held the world in your arms". Unfortunately, they seem to have regressed into dull melodics, and Roddy's voice sounds more monotonous and uninterested than ever. Or maybe the romanticism I had in my youth has been replaced by cynicism? Nah, surely not?! (CA)
Release Date: 1st July. Link: Official Site: http://www.idlewild.co.uk/
DOVES - POUNDING
Too many bands always seem to release the wrong singles from albums if you ask me, and so much of their best material never really gets heard by the general public type people. But thankfully Doves haven't made that mistake, as this is the best track from their sublime second album. Yes, even better than There Goes The Fear. And unlike that previous release, this will be available 24/7. So lets get them to number one this time, yeah? (AF)
From the moment I heard this on Jools Holland, I loved it. I don't think the record has the same energy as when played live, but it is still an outstanding track, on one of the records of the year. If you buy "The Last Broadcast" on the basis of Pounding and There Goes the Fear, I'm surprised it took you this long. (CA)
Release Date: July 22nd. Link: Official Site: http://www.doves.net/newsite/
PRIMAL SCREAM - MISS LUCIFER
One of their more dancier numbers, with almost U2 ish vocals over an almost too speedy Prodigy-ish sound. It feels like a step back rather than one forward, and by no means one of the band's greatest moments, but it's infectious enough, and at 2am I'd be more than happy to dance to this. But not at 10am, obviously. Cause that'd be just crazy after all. Release Date: 15th July. Link: Fansite: http://www.theprimalscream.com/
MERCURY REV - LITTLE RHYMES
Another gem from the band who can now officially do no wrong. Few musicians really ever get anywhere near true poetry lyrically, and when written down most seem cringe inducing-ly embarrassing. But the Rev boys truly deserve to be remembered amongst the best of them all. And mixed with such beautiful orchestrations, well, that just makes it all the more perfect. And though this is one of the lesser tracks on the album, it's still ridiculously superior to 99% of music released today. Release Date: July 15th. Link: Fansite: http://www.mercuryrev.co.uk/
I wasn't looking forward to seeing them headline Sunday night of this year's Reading festival. I wanted to go out on a band I love, not just one that I'd endure. But now I'm not so sure. Sure lyrically this is nonsense, but fuck, it does sound good. At least most of the time anyway. And I guess they'll at least be a certain comedy value in seeing them, as they really seem to be pulling out all the stops so that everyone will soon start calling them the new Sex Pistols. Again. Release Date: July 1st. Link: http://www.prodigycenter.com/
TENACIOUS D - TRIBUTE
Billed as "The Greatest song in the World ever", Jack Black and Kyle Gass have turned their comedy club-turned Tv show-turned monumental parody album. Black and Gass parody the gods of rock, as this single is heavily influenced by Stairway to Heaven, and works a treat. Different form of humour to most guitar parody-ists, but wonderful all the same. The video is doing the rounds at MTV2, and features a certain celebrity fan as the demon, as well as the reported director of the projected Tenacious D movie, Ben Stiller. Release Date: 1st July. Link: Official Site: http://www.tenaciousd.com/
The Singles Review Archive:
May and June 2002.
March and April 2002.
January & February 2002.
November & December 2001.
September & October 2001.
May and August 2001.
January and April 2001.
June and December 2000.
Contact Us - About Us - Recommended Links - More Links - Forums - Search This Site