BILLY MACK – CHRISTMAS IS ALL AROUND
Fucking awful. But then that was always the point, as this is the song from Love Actually that Bill Nighy’s fast decaying rock star gets to No.1 with. However, we really really can’t see life imitating art here. Whilst the songs amusing within the film’s context, it quickly becomes extremely irritating after a few listens. (AF). Release Date: 15th December.
AVID MERRION – PROPER CRIM-BO
Ah, I’d like to like this, the video’s damn funny (yep, it’s the one which infamously features John Leslie and Matthew Wright together), but well, the song itself is hardly a song at all. Yeah, the simplistic chorus is catchy, but each verse is just a pastiche of a pop muppets style. It works damn well as a sketch, but like most from Bo Selecta, starts to annoy after repeat viewings. Fun enough, but just not that funny. (CA). Release Date: December 15th.
THE CHEEKY GIRLS – HAVE A CHEEKY CHRISTMAS
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck off! For Bejebus’s sake this isn’t funny anymore and is now bordering on the offensive. Yeah, fine, release one novelty song about fondling arses if you must but don’t keep on chucking this, yes, quite frankly evil music at us. Please people, I know this is the time of year to buy shite music for the under fives, but if you have to do that, buy Proper Crim-bo (or even better, The Darkness’ xmas single), rather than this pathetic turd of a tune. (AF). Release Date: 8th December .Link: Official Site: http://www.thecheekygirls.co.uk/
OZZY AND KELLY OSBOURNE – CHANGES
“We’re going through Changes” Ozzy and Kelly sing in a distinctly maudlin kind of way. And what might they be? Well Ozzy seems to be entering in to senility, but Kelly’s still the same annoying brat that she’s always been. Sigh. Anyhow, this cover of the Black Sabbath song, and is competent but of little interest to anyone bar the biggest fan. (AF). Release Date: 8th December. Link: Fansite: http://www.ozzyhead.com/index1.htm
GARETH GATES – SAY IT ISN’T SO
Okay, Gareth, we will. Your career’s not really over fella. And no doubt you’ll be famous for years to come, oh yeah. Aww, we can’t lie to ya anymore though. I’m sorry. But you’ve now become officially uncool, and Will, the guy who was never supposed to win Pop Idol, has eclipsed you and become far more popular. We’re sorry. But hey, you did invest your money wisely yeah? And not just spend it on partying and large breasted bimbo’s. You didn’t? Oh. Oh dear. Anyhow. This is shit, especially when compared to Will’s last and surprisingly fine last single. (AF). Release Date: 1st December. Link: Official Site: http://www.ggates.co.uk/flash.php
EVANESCENCE – MY IMMORTAL
Surprisingly good. And I didn’t even like there other singles, but this has a more epic feel, as they really let loose and go for it. Lyrically it’s slightly dodgy and too goth (These wounds won't seem to heal / This pain is just too real / There's just too much that time cannot erase) but hey, considering it’s December and nearly everything else released is horribly embarrassing, we recommend this. (AF). Release Date: 1st December. Link: Official Site: http://www.evanescence.com/
BLACK EYED PEAS – SHUT UP
Well, after the phenomenon that was anti-war song but in a nice Michael Jackson/Timberlake kind of way, we move to a standard R'n'B fare, with this track's only crime being the female vocalist making lady sound like it should rhyme with mayday. Anyway a solid follow-up, but don't expect it to shoot so high, as they come across like a cartoony version of The Fugees/Spooks and their sincerity may suffer thanks to the gimmicky style emblazoned on them. Tolerable at the moment. (CA). Release Date: 1st December. Link: Official Site: http://www.blackeyedpeas.com/
TRAVIS – BEAUTIFUL OCCUPATION
Lesson learned. Don’t ever write a review based on a first listen. Re-offender was actually a wonderfully melancholy lament (I know I never wrote that initially), and had a tremendously emotive Ken Loach-esque video to back it up. Now, Fran and the boys have come back with this year’s “Stan”, if you will. Pensive and deep, it is a wonderful ambiguous attack on conflict, and has an infectious melody. This surpasses the blandness of “Why Does it always rain on me?”, “Sing”, “Turn”, and is actually a lovely constructed protest song. If the UK population had any sense, Johnny Cash would have gone in at No. 1 instead of No. 39, and this would be a strong contender for Christmas No. 1. Alas, the latter will match the former’s disappointment, as we start to cringe at the thought of Pop Idol or Noddy (and Big ears, not Holder) taking the top spot. (CA). Release Date: 15th December. Link: Fansite: http://members.tripod.com/~yeoyl/travismenu.html
DIDO – LIFE FOR RENT
Oooh. I like. Which comes as a bit of a surprise as I’ve always found Dido a little on the limp side of things, pleasant enough but not something I want to hear more than once. But this is much more interesting. Thematically this is all about wanting a simpler life, and a more involving lovelife (I apologize that once again I'm not in love / But it's not as if I mind that your heart ain't exactly breaking) and well, it’s just rather involving and touching. So go buy. Make a maudlin song the Christmas No.1. You know you want too. (AF). Release Date: 1st December. Link: Fansite: http://www.alldido.co.uk/
MUSE - HYSTERIA
What you really expect from Muse is riffs at breakneck speed, monolithic columns of noise, and screaming falsetto from Matt Bellamy. Well it’s here in abundance, and nothing to stand it apart from previous releases, except the prominence of the bass, with Chris Wolstenholme producing the sort of bass line Cliff Burton would be proud of. A better sound on this album, just waiting for that change in style. (CA). Release Date: 1st December. Link: Fansite: http://www.microcuts.net/uk/
THE RAPTURE – SISTER SAVIOUR
Ah, this is a tad confusing review wise. I mean lyrically this is wry, clever stuff, the kind of song which can’t fail to make you nod your head, if not mosh enthusiastically. But sonically it’s missing something, it’s okay but not the kind of tune you’ll find yourself humming along too at the most inopportune moments. If only they sounded bigger, ballsier, then this might have been something special. As it is, it’s just an interesting curiosity. (AF). Release Date: December 1st. Link: Official Site: http://www.therapturemusic.co.uk/
Comments?
NOVEMBER 2003
THE CORAL – BILL MCCAI
Ah, the coral. You can’t call em predictable, that’s for sure. This has a surprsingly upbeat sound, considering it’s all about an old man who releases that most of his life is over and that he’ll never be able to do so many things again. And so he decides to kill himself. Fun eh? But The Coral manage to pull it off without ever getting mawkish or patronising. Not there best single, that’d be Dreaming Of You, but damn fine stuff all the same. (AF). Release Date: November 24th. Link: Official Site: http://www.thecoral.co.uk/
THE THRILLS – DON’T STEAL OUR SUN
Ah, but boys, alas the suns gone man, the suns long gone. And that’s kinda the problem with this single – whilst The Thrill’s album sounds great on long hazy summer days, in the coldness of winter it’s just not what you want to listen too, winter being when hard rock and metal works best as the soundtrack to your life. Most of the time anyway. Lyrically it’s a tad on the simple side too. Still good though, but just save it till next June and listen to then, yeah? (AF). Release Date: November 24th. Link: Official Site: http://www.thethrills.com/
NO DOUBT – IT’S MY LIFE
A Talk Talk cover to promote the Best of? Well, you can’t fault them and the Dandy Warhols for attempting to keep new-wave in our heads and mean something. This lacks the panache of “Hella Good”, or “New”, but is cool enough to get you dancing at your local indie discotheque. (CA). Ah, I usually find myself agreeing with Craig, but alas not this time around. I didn’t like this song the first time around admittedly though, and Gwen and co have done nothing here to change my mind. Barable. But only just. (AF). Release Date: 24th November. Link: Fansite: http://www.thethrills.com/
RADIOHEAD – 2+2=5
The only Britpop band still going strong, and how eh? A viciously unpredictable tune which starts off in a calming and melodic way, but it’s not long before Thom Yorke starts to bite, and by god how much that’s needed in this tiresome pop era where even Nu-metal is shiney and squeaky clean. Intelligent music which you can’t get out of your head – what more could you ask for? A whole album’s worth? Well, erm, um, they kinda come close, isn’t that enough? (AF). Release Date: November 17th. Link: Fansite: http://www.greenplastic.com/
GIRLS ALOUND – JUMP
Hey, all of you folks who say I don’t like pop music, it’s just not true. I just hate it when it’s bland and soulless and trying not to be. This has no such pretensions though, it’s just daft, fun, beyond upbeat and the kind of tune which will see those crazy pre-teen types jumping up and down at the school disco. So lots of fun in a hugely throwaway kind of way. (AF). Release Date: November 17th. Link: Fansite: http://www.girlsaloud.org/
THE ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE – LOSE UR FROWN
What is it with the mis-spelling of ‘your’ these days? First the Manics, now the White Brothers. It appears from this track that they are moving into darker territory, as it initially sounds like French Band Millionaire are the inspiration, but then the pre-chorus moves back into more comfortable poppy surroundings, and you feel so much happier for it. As a single, it is a marked improvement on a lot of the first album, which despite their young age, seemed a little one-dimensional, even though as a pop album it was good. All bodes well for “The American Adventure”, as the maturity beyond their years starts to show. (CA). Release Date: 10th November. Link: Fansite: http://electricsoftparade.tk/
STEREOPHONICS – SINCE I TOLD YOU IT’S OVER
Rumour has it that theyre about to split up. Oh Christ how I hope this is true and not jst yet another false net rumour. Okay, okay, they’re first album was pretty fine, packed with songs which, hey, were actually about something, but from then on it’s been turgid romantic nonsense and the odd pop at journo’s for crazily not liking them. This is equally as poor, and Kelly’s voice so gravely now that it actually hurts to listen to them. It’s like he’s actually trying to be the new Rod Stewart, which, well, is a hideous idea surely? Anyhow, this is hopefully the last we’ll hear from them. I just hope Jone’s decided to leave the industry and not inflict a solo career upon us. (AF). Release Date: 10th November. Link: Official Site: http://www.stereophonics.com/
BRITNEY SPEARS & MADONNA – ME AGAINST THE MUSIC
Jesus. I’m tempted to end this review with just that one word, but well, where’s the fun in that? But lets be brief here. It’s a mix of crap and shit, with Madonna warbling on quietly in the background. So not just shite, but shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiite! Ah, Britters, where did it all go so terribly wrong eh? Oh. It was never that right was it. (AF). Release Date: 10th November. Link: Fansite: http://britneyspears.ac/
OUTKAST – HEY YA
Ah, whilst it took a fair old while, Ms Jackson became one of those songs which I secretly loved. Of course I’ve my indie credibility to think off, so I rarely told anyone this, but well, when it comes on MTV I secretly smile. So I was looking forward to this. But it’s beyond poor ain’t it? A crappy sound with even crappier lyrics. Beyond poor. (AF). Hmmm. Release Date: November 10th. Link: Fansite: http://www.angelfire.com/wi/outkast/
ALEX PARKS – MAYBE THAT’S WHAT IT TAKES / BEAUTIFUL
Look, you know how I feel about this sort of thing, so I’ll keep it brief. Sounds like Cher. But deeper. Yes, that is actually possible. And despite what you might have heard, she’s not that talented. Sure, she’s all angsty and deep and everything, but that doesn’t translate it to actually being a good songwriter. Fuck by God do I hate Fame Academy. Not as much as Pop Idol, but still. And how annoyingly whiney and utterly self obsessed was she on the show itself eh? Hmmm…This is becoming a bit of a rant isn’t it? Be it a disjointed one. So fine, I’ll shut up now. (AF). Release Date: November 17th. Link: Official site: http://www.alexparksonline.com/
OUTKAST – HEY YA
Most of the time, one really does start to worry when a hip-hop artist decides to, for reasons best kept to themselves, turn retro-kitsch on us as a means of being alternative. Then again, Andre and Big Boi of Outkast have never been ones to shy away from over-exaggeration of their style. In fact, the embrace their supercilious, ostentatious bravado; "Hey Ya" being a prime example of this. Taken from the "The Love Below" section of their new double album, it is more repetitive than it is intriguing, but it will certainly have you eagerly hand-clapping away in joyous mood, and yearning to have been a part of "Ready Steady Go" and other sixties shows of a similar type. This is passable by the standards of those bygone days, but the image presented in the accompanying video will sell the record so much more. Not as jaw-droppingly catchy as "Ms. Jackson" or as psychedelic and avant-garde as their early work, but it will do. For Now. (CA). Release Date: November 10th. Link: Fansite: http://www.outkast-web.de/
DISTILLERS – DRAIN IN THE BLOOD
Given the backstory, I thought I was going to be very negatively judgemental, but then the Brody Dalle/Josh Homme/Tim Armstrong/Kelly Osbourne stuff doesn't warrant as much attention after all. I mean according to reviews I've read, Brody had a hard time growing up, met Tim Armstrong aged 16, left Australia and got married at 18, and left the marriage to be with Homme at 24. Aside from that, the track is quite good; it's catchy enough, more catchy than a lot of this time of punk. She's more musically talented than Kelly O (not saying much), and at least had to graft and take advantage of situations to make her life bareable, rather than have it delivered on a plate. It's not as great as the NME make out, but its edgy enough to beat most punk these days. (CA). Release Date: November 3rd. Link: Fansite: http://www.thedistillers.net/
JOHNNY CASH - HURT
Set to be released as a single, this cover of a Nine inch Nails song really does deserve to go to number one. I really do think this will tug at your heartstrings, and the odd tear will be shed. It's just so wonderfully poignant. I never heard much of his records while he was alive, but as a single, the simplicity of the guitar, married with the haunting chimes will send shivers down your spine, this is just delightful, as is "We'll meet again" off his final album. No seriously, it is great, and carries so much more of a message now he's gone. (CA). I couldn’t agree more – this subtly beautiful track is the first song in ages to also send shivers down my spine and bring me out in goosebumps upon listening to it, Cash’s melancholic vocals are beyond touching, and I can’t think of a more sublimely perfect way for him to say goodbye to us all. (AF). Release Date: November 3rd. Link: http://www.johnnycash.com/
ROBBIE WILLIAMS – SEXED UP
Ah, poor old Robbie. All of those millions of pounds, all of those adoring groupies, and yet he still found the time to be jealous of the attention Guy Chambers was receiving, and so, after firing him, he still seems to think that his songs are good. Which they’re not. Far more barable than the majority of chart nonsense, yes, they may be, but actually good? Not a chance lad. Time for some humble apologies methinks, if he’s to be of interest in two years time anyhow. Release Date: November 3rd. Link: Fansite: http://www.robbiewilliams-online.com/
LOSTPROPHETS – BURN BURN
Whoah! There's radical departures, and then there's RADICAL. The boys from Pontypridd have dumped the PRS Custom Guitars, the UK nu-metal sound of "Fake Sound of Progress", and like US counterparts Papa Roach, opening single "Burn Burn" is completely different. Opening riff is uncannily similar to Mansun's "Being a Girl", and Ian Watkins vocals do remind me of Paul Draper ever so slightly, but then we turn into skateboard punk with pout and pontificating, and all the superciliousness that gives a feeling of superiority. In reality, it is a kick-ass tune, immediately infectious but hardly insightful, but perfect entrance music for a showman like a boxer. Release Date: November 3rd. Link: Fansite: http://www.dragonninja.com/
Comments?
THE DARKNESS - CHRISTMAS TIME (DON'T LET THE BELLS END)
AND ALSO RELEASED IN DECEMBER:
01/12/03
Beautiful South - Let Go With The Flow
Blu Cantrell featuring Ian Lewis - Make Me Wanna Scream
Buffseeds - Sparkle Me
D-Side - Real World
Four Poofs And A Piano - Camp Up Your Christmas
Delta Goodrem - Not Me, Not I
Gus Gus - Desire
John The White Rapper - Put Your Hands Up
Alistair Griffin - Bring It On
Koreans - How Does It Feel
Madonna - Nothing Fails/Love Profusion
Nelly - Iz U
Noddy - Make Way For Noddy!
Alex Party - Read My Lips (12")
Puddle Of Mudd - Away From Me
Raveonettes - Heartbreak Stroll
Seachange - Glitterball
08/12/03
Christina Aguilera - The Voice Within
Big Brovaz - It Ain't What You Do
Blue featuring Stevie Wonder & Angie Stone - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
David Bowie - Never Get Old/Waterloo Sunset
DMX - Get On The Floor
Fall - We Wish You A Protein Christmas
Finger Eleven - Good Times
Nelly Furtado - Powerless (Say What You Want)
Good Charlotte - Hold On/The Young And The Hopeless
Alicia Keys - You Don't Know My Name
KoRn - Right Now
John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
The Lost Brothers - Cry Little Sister (I Need U Now)
Lisa Maffia - Women Of The World
Mr. On vs Jungle Brothers - Breathe Don't Stop
Pretty Girls Make Graves - All Medicated Geniuses
Cliff Richard - Santa's List
Simply Red - You Make Me Feel Brand New
Rachel Stevens - Funky Dory
Sting featuring Mary J Blige - Whenever I Say Your Name
Texas - I'll See It Through
Justin Timberlake - I'm Lovin' It
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
15/12/03
Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules - Mad World
Atomic Kitten featuring Kool & The Gang - Ladies' Night
Basil Brush - Boom Boom!
Beyoncé - Me, Myself And I
Craig David - You Don't Miss Your Water Different Darkness - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Darkness
Fast Food Rockers - I Love Christmas
Robin Gibb featuring Alistair Griffin - Lover's Prayer
G-Unit featuring 50 Cent - Stunt 101
Wyclef Jean & Missy Elliot - Party To Damascus
Mew - She Came For Christmas
Pop Idol Finalists - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
REM - Animal
Amy Studt - All I Wanna Do
Sugababes - Too Lost In You
Ultrabeat - Feelin' Fine
29/12/03
Victoria Beckham - Let Your Head Go/Don't Disturb This Groove
Sophie Ellis Bextor - I Won't Change You S Club 8 - Tears On My Pillow/Don’t Tell Me You’re Sorry
BELLE AND SEBASTIAN – STEP INTO MY OFFICE BABY
AND ALSO RELEASED IN NOVEMBER:
03/11/03
Blazin' Squad - 'Flip Reverse'
Tim Burgess - 'Only A Boy'
Eastern Lane - 'Feed Your Addiction'
Fight Club feat. Laurent Konrad - 'Spread Love'
Goldfrapp - 'Twist'
Matt Goss - 'I'm Comin' With Ya'
The Hiss - 'Back On The Radio'
Hot Hot Heat - 'Talk To Me, Dance With Me'
Hundred Reasons - 'The Great Test'
Jet - 'Rollover DJ'
R Kelly - 'Step In The Name Of Love'/'Thoia Thoing'
The Loose Cannons - 'Superstars'
Lost Prophets - 'Burn Burn'
Mavericks - 'I Wanna Know'/'Air That I Breathe'
Kylie Minogue - 'Slow'
Simple Kid - 'Drugs'
The Wildhearts - 'Top Of The World'
10/11/03
Abs - '7 Ways'
All American Rejects - 'The Last Song'
Basement Jaxx feat. Dizzee Rascal - 'Lucky Star'
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - 'We're All In Love'
Busted - 'Crashed The Wedding'
Melanie C - 'Melt'/'Yeh Yeh Yeh'
The Cooper Temple Clause - 'Blind Pilots'
Fun Lovin Criminals - 'Lost It All'
The Hazzards - 'Gay Boyfriend'
Javine - 'Surrender (Your Love)'
Lamb - 'Wonder'
Ludacris - 'Stand Up'
Missy Elliot - 'Pass That Dutch'
Primal Scream - 'Some Velvet Morning'
Red Hot Chili Peppers - 'Fortune Faded'
Seal - 'Love's Divine'
Nitin Sawhney feat. Rodney P - 'Rainfall'
Usher - 'Confessions'
17/11/03
Bon Jovi - 'Wanted Dead Or Alive 2003'
The Chemical Brothers - 'Get Yourself High'
Chikinki - 'Assassinator 13'
Evan Dando - 'It Looks Like You'
Flip & Fill - 'Irish Blue'
Enrique Iglesias - 'Addicted'
Lemar - '50/50'
Limp Bizkit - 'Behind Blue Eyes'
Linkin Park - 'From The Inside'
Lumidee - 'Crashin' A Party'
John Mayer - 'Bigger Than My Body'
Meat Loaf - 'Man Of Steel'
Mis-Teeq - 'Style'
Alanis Morrisette - 'Eight Easy Steps'
Nelly - 'Iz U'
Pet Shop Boys - 'Miracles'
Liz Phair - 'Why Can't I'
Busta Rhymes & Pharrell - 'Light Your Ass On Fire'
Room 5 feat. Oliver Cheatham - 'Music And You'
Shania Twain - 'When You Kiss Me'/'Up'
Solex - 'Close To The Edge'
CJ Stone - 'Don't Look Back'
The Original - 'I Luv U Baby'
Westlife - 'Mandy'
The White Stripes - 'The Hardest Button To Button'
24/11/03
Mary J Blige feat. Eve - 'Not Today'
Blink 182 - 'Feeling This'
D-Side - 'Real World'
Dizzee Rascal - 'Jus A Rascal'
Jennifer Ellison - 'Bye Bye Boy'
Delta Goodrem - 'Not Me, Not I'
Iron Maiden - 'Rain Maker'
Michael Jackson - 'One More Chance'
King Adora - 'Drag'
Million Dead - 'I Am The Party'
Moloko - 'Cannot Contain This'
Offspring - 'Hit That'
P.O.D. - 'Will You'
Ja Rule - 'Clap Back'/'The Reign'
Seachange - 'Glitterball'
Will Young - 'Leave Right Now'
Zutons - 'Pressure Point'
Alex Finch, Craig Aston, Kate Skelton, and Izzy Brooks.
The Singles Review Archive:
September and October 2003
July and August 2003
May and June 2003
March and April 2003
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 to April 2001.
June to December 2000.
Contact Us - About Us - Recommended Links - More Links - Forums - Search This Site