CRAIG DAVID FEAT. STING – RISE AND FALL
Craig’s presumably just decided that integrity and credibility just don’t matter now that he’s super rich, and that this ultra-commercial duet with Sting will just increase his bank balance further. It’s pretty well done if you like this sort of thing, but, er, well, if you like this sort of thing you really should get better taste in music. (AF). Release Date: 28th April. Link: Official Site: http://www.craigdavid.co.uk/site/home.php
RICHARD HAWLEY – RUN FOR ME
A slightly alt country sounding tune from Pulp’s Richard Hawley, though sounding darker, a little more Leonard Cohen-ish then that might suffest, this lacks some of the warmth from his debut mini album, but is pretty lovely stuff, perfect to listen to when returning from a pub or club. The album’s great too, and should be sought out immediately. (AF). Release Date: April 28th. Link: Official Site: http://www.richardhawley.co.uk/
AUDIOSLAVE – LIKE A STONE
A lot more Euphoria Morning than Led Zeppelin, and this is quite clearly the first time you will hear Rage against the machine play a ballad. Chris Cornell just appears to have dragged the rest of the band into Alt-Rock Middle of the Road territory here, and whilst it is fine, there is not a great deal happening. At first listen, I thought it was a welcome change, but on further reflection it could quite easily be lumped into the same territory as Mel C's "Here it comes again", but with obviously better musicians at the helm. (CA). Release Date: April 21st. Link: Official Site: http://www.audioslave.com/
BADLY DRAWN HAMSTER – ALL POSSIBILIIES
Yet more pleasant enough meanderings from Mr Gough, but well, it’s nice and everything but just not particularly that special. One of those songs that you’ll like well enough, but will have forgotten about in a years time. And maybe even in a month’s time. Ultimately, it’s no Silent Sigh, and it’s a shame that he hasn’t produced a sound similar to that, rather than going down the ‘its reasonably similar to nearly everything else I’ve done’ route. (AF). Release Date: April 21st. Link: Official Site: http://www.badlydrawnboy.co.uk/home.html
AQUALUNG – IF I FALL
Well, hey, it’s always nice to be pleasantly surprised isn’t it? Because I wasn’t too enthusiastic about any of Aqualung’s previous releases, but this is something rather special, not over melodramatic like some of there other songs tend to be, and all rather subtle and sweetly romantic. (AF). Release Date: April 21st. Link: Official Site: http://www.aqualung.net/
MADONNA - AMERICAN LIFE
Reinvention's necessary of course to prolong a musician's career, and no one wants every album to sound identical to the last. But this time's Madonna's gone too far - there's nothing artistic about her choices here, it's clearly for purely commercial reasons alone, and Christ, this is absolutely horrifically wince enducingly embarrassing and the clearest indication yet that it's time for her to retire and stop making such idiotic shite. (AF). Release Date: 14th April. Link: Fansite: http://www.madonnarama.com/
BLUR – OUT OF TIME
Did you really want to see Blur return? I mean after all the split rumours, side projects and that okay but not exactly classic album, was there any need? Hmmm, well the juries still out, but this is pretty okay, hardly inspiring or exciting but fairly enjoyable melancholic indie. Some of the lyrics are a little hackneyed, but overall it’s pretty fine, and certainly an improvement over much of their previous album. (AF). Release Date: April 14th. Link: Fansite: http://www.blurtalk.com/
ROBBIE WILLIAMS - COME UNDONE
Well, um, er, sorry, but I've run out of things to say about such tiresome pop nonsenses as this this update. If you like Robbie (and if you're over 12, really? But why?) you'll like this. If you dont you just won't care at all. So there's no point in saying anything more. Release Date: 7th April. Link: Fansite: http://www.infoideas.net/Robbie-Williams/
RICHARD ASHCROFT - BUY IT IN BOTTLES
Yeah, I know you know this - but this is the guy who sang Bittersweet Symphony. And The Drugs Don'g Work. And whose Urban Hymns album was a classic of the britpop era. So why he's become duller than Weller upon going solo is an absolute mystery, but oh how he has. This is dull, tiresome philosophising of the weakest order, and why he's chosen to go down the dadrock route is beyond us. Hopefully one day soon he'll realise what he's become, and stop fucking about. (AF). Release Date: April 7th. Link: Fansite: http://www.ashcroftunofficial.co.uk/
KYM MARSH - CRY
We never thought anything ever would make Martine Mccutcheon (spell?) look interesting, but Ms Marsh has managed it, oh how she has. This is earnest pop, in the Morisette vein, but with the most obvious of lyrics which will only mean anything to pre-pubescent kids. Then again I suppose that is her audience. Anyways, for the rest of us, just ignore this, as it's, well, you already know, trashy crap. (AF). Release Date: 7th April. Link: Fansite: http://kym.hearsaynews.net/
DAVID GRAY – BE MINE
Yet more coma-inducing balladry, hell, even his die hard fans must be praying for something a little more original right now. So yep, what can we say other than it once again features his dreary vocals over a very dull tune, and it’s just all rather one long nightmare having to keep on listening to his stuff. Hopefully he’ll be dropped soon, and then we’ll never have to hear such tiresome crap on the radio again. (AF). Release Date: 7th April. Link: Official Site: http://www.davidgray.com/
MARCH 2003
HOT HOT HEAT - BANDAGES
There are elements of old-school punk, Poppy Cure, and mainstream rock hidden within this track I feel. Distinctive vocal , mirroring Kevin Rowland, Robert Smith. Very infectious and catchy, and deserves to do well. (CA). Release Date: 24th March. Link: Official Site: http://www.hothotheat.com/
THE DONNAS – TAKE IT OFF
Something for the Rock mainstream to enjoy, I think. It that heavily polished corporate production about it, sure, but it is a welcome change to the nu-metal and punk doing the rounds at the moment. Think AC/DC, Stones for feminists, I suppose? Taken from new album Spend the Night. (CA). Release Date: 24th March. Link: Official Site: http://www.thedonnas.com
ANDREW WK – WE WANT FUN
Considering the guy is so serious in interviews, it is amazing he turns out such all out un-ashamed, no-brainer nihilistic rock. "Party Hard" was the ideal tune to let out anger is a positive way, as is this. It fits in perfectly in the Jackass Soundtrack, and is just a fun song. Granted it is in a similar vein to "Party Hard", actually virtually identical, but just the sort of thing I would rather go nuts to on a nightclub dancefloor than the usual chart stuff. (CA). Release Date: March 24th. Link: Fansite: http://www.awkworld.com/
LINKIN PARK – SOMEWHERE I BELONG
It is as expected; Soft verse and rap vocal, aggressive chorus, and it's no change. Could easily fit on the first album, but not as good as a lot of that album was. Hopefully some evolution will occur by the next album. (CA). Release Date: 17th March. Link: Fansite: http://www.lpfan.com/
OK GO – GET OVER IT
Chicago based foursome Ok Go have managed to produce one of the catchiest indie pop tunes of the moment. Whether it’s the stuttered refrain of the title during the chorus or the shouted hey or the ditsy little organ riff that hooks you, you will no doubt be hooked. With a sexy in a Beck kind of way vocalist in the shape of Damian Kulash and a video that alternates between smartly edited performance shots and ping-pong! Get Over It is a must play in our house at the moment. Damian sings “Gotta life, gotta four door and a faithless wife, got those nice copper pipes” – what he is he on about – well no idea but when he goes almost falsetto on the breathy following line “Aren’t you such a catch?” It makes my knees wobble. And that can’t be bad. (IB) Release Date: 10th March. Link: Official Site: http://www.okgo.net/
HAR MAR SUPERSTAR – POWER LUNCH
Ugh. I don't care what Radio 1, NME or Q say about him being the 'new Prince', the old one was just fine, and churning out better stuff than this ego-based self-parody nonsense. My advice, If you want to listen to something funky and humorous, listen to Midnite Vultures by Beck. It is infinitely better than this trash. (CA). Release Date: 3rd March. Link: Official Site: http://www.harmarsuperstar.com/
PLACEBO – THE BITTER END
A far more stripped down sound than 'Taste in Men' or most of Black Market Music, but Brian Molko et al have not lost any of their dark overtones. This sounds more by-the numbers than a lot of the stuff they have done before, but still has enough to be one of the hits in their hit and miss career. (CA). Release Date: 10th March. Link: Fansite: http://www.angelfire.com/band2/placebopassion/
N.E.R.D – LAPDANCE / PROVIDER
Following the excellent "Rock Star", comes a double A side take from the AMA nominated album. Both tracks are solid tunes, and Provider slightly edges the two tunes, but personally I would keep your ears open for the Zero 7 remix hovering around the internet, it is sheer brilliance. Release Date: march 10th. Link: Official Site: http://www.n-e-r-d.com/
CARDIGANS – FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH
The time spent on Nina Persson's solo project A Camp seems to a more
mellow side to the band this time around, if this single is anything to go back. It is in all honesty a laid-back, lush guitar pop song of top calibre. Expect it to turn up on Mark and Lard's show and Radio 2, as they seem to play the only mature guitar music these days. Release Date: 10th March. Link: http://cardigans.com/
THE CORAL – DON’T’ THINK YOU’RE THE FIRST
Certainly a lot broader in its construction than a lot of the first album, the lads from Hoylake have retained the merseybeat sound, but added some nice harmonies, and a more serious vibe than "Skeleton Key" or "Dreaming of You", which reinforced their label of "A Northern Madness". Considering the current trend for most artists to be as modern as possible in hype and sound, it is refreshing to hear a group go back to the sixties, and produce a sound so good, they could easily have been successful had they been around 40 years earlier. Release Date: 4th March. Link: Official Site: http://www.thecoral.co.uk/
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – GO WITH THE FLOW
A decent song, but its stoner-rock by the numbers compared to No One Knows. Personally, I would have been happier if they'd released "Millionaire" or "Do it Again" or "Sky is Falling", all these have more to offer than this crunching cacophony. (CA). Release Date: March 3rd. Link: Fansite: http://hobbs1767.tripod.com/index.html
COLDPLAY - CLOCKS
Oh dear. I take it all back. After getting a little over excited over their last two singles, I went out and bought the album. And well, bar those two singles it’s all very mundane indeed, and they must have really struggled to find a third single to release from it. Oh, it’s okay I suppose, but it’s been done (by them) a million times before, and lyrically it’s got very little to say. A real disappointment, and a real shame too. (AF). Release Date: March 24th. Link: Fansite: http://www.easytoplease.net/
EMINEM – SING FOR THE MOMENT
Moving away from 8 Mile, and back to 'The Eminem Show'; this follows a similar train of thought as 'Lose yourself' but is Eminem back at his angsty best. Plus the sample of Aerosmith's already excellent "Dream on" put to a beat is a masterstroke. Basically the song targets the negative press he gets, and defends him saying he's not a incitement to riot monster, but an artist selling himself the best way he can. Oh, and he manages to target his dad for walking out on him. A well crafted song, and people that like his controversy will appreciate it too. (CA). Release Date: March 3rd. Link: Fansite: http://www.eminem-planet.com/
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THE WHITE STRIPES - SEVEN NATION ARMY
AND ALSO RELEASED IN APRIL:
April 7th:
The Alarm - Close
American Hi-Fi - The Art Of Losing
Audio Bullys - The Things
Caesars - Jerk It Out
Daniel Bedingfield - I Can't Read You
Dixie Chicks - Landslide
Erasure - Make Me Smile (Come up and See Me)
Foo Fighters - Have It All
Harry - Under The Covers EP
Joan Osborne I'll Be Around
Malachi - Just Say You Love Me
Marc et Claude - Loving You 03
Run DMC - It's Tricky
Robin S - Luv 4 Luv
Queens of the Stone Age - Go With the Flow
April 14th:
Aaliyah - Don't Know What To Tell Ya
American Hi-Fi - The Art Of Losing
Brendan Benson - Metarie
Cinematic Orchestra - Man With The Movie Camera
Client - Price Of Love
Def Leppard - Long Long Way To Go
Goldfrapp - Train
Interpol - Say Hello To The Angels
InMe - Neptune
Jay-Z - Excuse Me Miss
Jan Johnston - Calling Your Name 2003
The Kills - Fried My Little Brains
Mankato - Flesh And Bone
Mirwais - Miss You
Venus Hum - Montana EP
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Date With The Night
April 21st:
Asian Dub Foundation featuring Sinead O'Connor - 1000 Mirrors
Beachbuggy - Killer Bee
The Bluetones - Fast Boy/Liquid Lips
DMX - X Gon' Give It To Ya
Macy Gray - When I See You
J Walk - Another Lover
Lisa Maffia - All Over
Magnet - The Day We Left Town EP
Pippa - I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Relaxed Muscle - The Heavy EP
Reno - Rock 'N' Roll
Rocket Science - Run Like A Gun
David Sneddon - Don't Let Go
Therapy? - If It Kills Me / Rust
Triple Eight - Knock Out
VBirds - Virtuality
Venus Hum - Montana
April 28th:
Amerie - I'm Coming Out
Blak Beatniks - One Day At A Time
Calexico - Quattro (World Drifts In)
Capdown - Act Your Rage
Eyes Adrift - Alaska
Bebel Gilberto - Close Your Eyes
Dana Glover - Thinking Over
Grandadbob - City Approach
Ronan Keating - The Long Goodbye/Love Won't Work (If We Don't Try)
Stephen Malkmus - Dark Wave
Ian McCulloch - Slideling
The Pretenders - Complex Person
Puretone - Stuck In A Groove
Revelation - Just Be Dub To Me
Kelly Rowland - Can't Nobody
Bruce Springsteen - Waiting For A Sunny Day
Tomcraft - Loneliness
Wayne Williams - Anything Is Possible
BENT - MAGIC LOVE
AND ALSO RELEASED IN MARCH:
March 10th:
50 Cent - In Da Club
Adema - Insomniac's Dream
B2K featuring P Diddy - Bump Bump Bump
Bad Company - Mo' Fire
Dirty Vegas - Simple Things
Gareth Gates featuring The Kumars - Spirit In The Sky
Missy Elliott - Gossip Folks
OK Go - Get Over It
Busta Rhymes featuring Mariah Carey & Simple Plan - I'd Do Anything
Sugababes - Shape
March 17th:
Abandoned Pools - The Remedy
Alpine Stars - Burning Up
B2K featuring P Diddy - Bump Bump Bump
Blue - U Make Me Wanna
The Burn - Drunken Fool
Carpet Bombers For Peace featuring Phil Collins - The Least You Can Do
The D4 - Ladies Man
Mis-Teeq - Scandalous
Saint Etienne - Soft Like Me
Simply Red - Sunrise
Something Corporate - Punk Rock Princess
March 24th:
Athlete - El Salvador
Mariah Carey featuring Cam'Ron - Boy (I Need You)
Biffy Clyro - The Ideal Height
Crazy Town - Hurt You So Bad
Des'Ree - It's Okay
DJ Aligator Project - Lollipop
Finch - Letters To You
Harry - Imagination
Mew - Comforting Sound
Nas - I Can
NOFX - Regaining Unconsciousness
Room 5 featuring Oliver Cheatham - Make Luv
Snoop Dogg - Beautiful
Westlife - Tonight
March 31st:
56K featuring Bejay - Save A Prayer
India.Arie - Little Things
Atomic Kitten - Love Doesn't Have To Hurt
Celine Dion - I Drove All Night
Eve - Satisfaction
Four Tet - She Loves Me
Grooverider - What Do You Do?
Whitney Houston - On My Own
Lazard - 4 O'Clock In The Morning
Mario - Just A Friend
Beth Orton - Thinking About Tomorrow
Roc Project & Tina Arena - Never (Past Tense)
The Roots featuring Cody Chesnutt - The Seed (2.0)
Alex Finch, Craig Aston and Izzy Brooks.
The Singles Review Archive:
January and February 2003
November and December 2002
September and October 2002
July and August 2002
May and June 2002.
March and April 2002.
January and February 2002.
November and December 2001.
September and October 2001.
May and August 2001.
January and April 2001.
June and December 2000.
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