ALFIE - NO NEED
I am quite shocked. I never thought I'd say this, but someone has beaten the Divine Comedy at their own game. I must admit to have had only fleeting listens of Alfie records in the past, casting them with the usual post "Britpop" tag of inoffensive guitar music, but this takes all the good elements of Belle and Sebastian, Super Furry Animals and Divine Comedy, and converts them into one of the lushest sounding records you will hear this year. Complete with odd-ball intro as if the musicians were stamping on their instruments, to suddenly being transported into this wonderful cosmopolitan sound, bringing Summer in February. Worth replaying for at least a month. (CA). Release Date: 16th February. Link: Official Site: http://www.alfie-uk.com/
PROBOT - SHAKE YOUR BLOOD
Metal side-project of Dave Grohl's that features an assortment of punk, thrash metallers, and on this track, Lemmy from Motorhead. While it would seem that the man Grohl can do no wrong at present, and all the hype from Radio 1 Rock Show, NME Chart and subsequent Rock stations would tend to confirm that, personally, it all feels too slick. I guess what I was after was something a tad more earthy, and a little less shiny. Still, scantily clad models and shapely silhouettes in videos are what gets the kids interested these days, and who am I to argue. (CA). Release Date: Link: 10th February. Official Site: http://www.probotmusic.com/
PLACEBO - ENGLISH SUMMER RAIN
It's about time Placebo were appreciated more. Having been going for what, nigh on eight years now, and yet they still sound like they want to take over the world, they've as much passion as they did when they first started out, and how many bands can you say that about? Okay, they've got what you might describe as 'a very distinctive sound' but who cares when they're still this good. (AF). Release Date: February 23rd. Link: Fansite: http://www.bionic-club.com/
AUF DER MAUR - FOLLWED THE WAVES
Obviously Ms Auf Der Maur's stint with the Smashing Pumpkins has had some impression on the former Hole bassist, as this could quite easily have been part of Siamese Dream. The Banshee wailing intro sets it up as a bit arty, but thankfully it leads into one of the catchiest rock riffs this side of Alice Cooper's "Poison", and Ms Auf Der Maur proceeds to prove why self-proclaimed 'rock chick' Avril Lavigne is merely a MOR mild-mannered songwriter with bandwagon-jumping marketing specialists as management. THIS is a proper rock record, no matter how odd the lyrics are - "I'm gonna shuffle his deck clean", the guitars are just heavy and dirty, as it toes the fine-line between polished and grainy production. Quite the debut from one of the more talented members. (CA). Release Date: February 16th. Link: Official Site: http://www.aufdermaur.com/
PETER ANDRE - MYSTERIOUS GIRL
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ah. Jesus. Was roughly my reaction when I heard this was to be re-released. I guess it's momentarily saved us from the release of Insania, but if it does well, then we're all going to be in trouble people. So fine, he was fairly amusing in I'm A Celeb, but only in a ''I can't believe he's such a twat'' kind of way, and well, this is as bad as it always was. And we really didn't need reminding. Chris Moyles is the man behind this getting re-released y'know. Yep. That's officially reason 278 why you should hate him. (AF). Release Date: February 16th. Link: Official Site: http://www.peterandre.com/
FUN LOVIN' CRIMINALS - BEAUTIFUL
Blimey, they're still going? Even after Huey's rather embarrassingly disorientated appearance on Never Mind The Buzzcocks last year? Wow. So should they be? Ah, of course not, but well, they're not harming anyone, and surely it's better to have Huey doing something productive. He'll only end up homeless in a park with countless needles hanging out of him if the record buying public don't look after him you know. Awww. (AF). Release Date: February 16th. Link: Fansite: http://uk.geocities.com/jonsiuk/
BELLE AND SEBASTIAN - I'M A CUCKOO
Awww, you've just got to love em. After a few dodgy albums [Storytelling being the worst of these, and generally worrying all of their fans] they're back with a corker, as The Sun might say if it were describing a topless lass and not this. Going back to what made them so great in the first place - a mix of vulnerablity and wry observations backed by a swirly sixties tune, this is bloody superb, and would've been single of the month if it wasn't from those pesky Keane kids. (AF). Less humorous than "Step into my office baby", but equally as appealing. Kitsch but by no means cumbersome, Stuart Murdoch and co. finally are at ease with themselves following contractual obligations with Jeepster and have an album they can be proud of. Unlike anything else in the charts, in a good way. (CA). Release Date: February 16th. Link: Official Site: http://www.belleandsebastian.co.uk/home/
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE - NEW YEAR
Bloody hell, this doesn't happen often - a band I caught in one of the small tents at Reading fest a few years back are still going - and have really improved too. A kind of dark indie (though fear not, it's not goth, folks), they show real promise, and deserve more acclaim than they're currently getting. Release Date: February 16th. Link: Fansite: http://www.deathcab.addr.com/
ALEX PARKS - CRY
Dear Lord why does she tempt me so. No, no, not with her music but choice of titles. It's like her waving a cocaine covered carrot infront of the average journalist and begging them to rip her apart. But no, no, I must resist. Annnnnnyway...This is yet more overly produced depressing nonsense from the Cher-sounding lass who somehow won Fame Academy last year. And if if you like your music bland, poorly written and generally soulless, get this now. You don't? Well, don't buy this then. Release Date: February 16th. Link: Fansite: http://www.alexparksonline.com/
THE STROKES - REPTILIA
Ah. I can't help it. Yes, okay, okay, so this does sound like a first album Strokes track, and maybe just maybe that's all starting to feel a tad familiar, but I still really like it. They're still managing to pull of effortlessly cool, and well, just sound pretty damn fine. It wouldn't have been my choice of singles, but hey, that's still no reason not to get it. Release Date: February 9th. Link: Fansite: http://www.thestrokesfan.com/
SAM & MARK - WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS / MEASURE OF A MAN
Ahhhhh, it somehow managed to make it to no.1. I'd bets on that these two would be dropped by there record company by the end of February, and now they've achieved some success. Dagnammit. And if you were one of the people who bought this, you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves. The record itself? Surely you know it's a bastardisation of two classics sung by two pop muppets who should still be in school. But now deserve to be shot. You do? I'll shut up then. Release Date: February 9th. Link: Fansite: http://www.sam-and-mark.net/
SCHOOL OF ROCK - SCHOOL OF ROCK
Taken from the hit Jack Black movie, and sung by him too, alas this lacks much of the adult orientated content that makes Tenacious D [Black's other band incase you didn't know] and whilst it's mildy amusing, it's just not that good, and doesn't survive repeated listening. If you love the movie you'll love this, though. Probably. Release Date: February 9th. Link: Official Site: http://www.schoolofrockmovie.com/
JANUARY 2004
SNOW PATROL - RUN
After the wonderfully catchy "Spitting Games"; which sounded like a throwback to Britpop, but with so much more urgency to keep it fresh; we have the more sombre "Run" which finds Gary Lightbody in reflective mood. Produced by Garrett "Jacknife" Lee (he's responsible for the Rock Remix of Eminem's cleaning out my closet), this is a solid follow-up, starkly contrasting the first single, but is no less engaging. (CA). Release Date: 26th January. Link: Official Site: http://www.snowpatrol.net/flash/flash.html
AIR – CHERRY BLOSSOM GIRL
In a similar vein to “Playground Love” from “The Virgin Suicides” soundtrack, Air seem to have descended into mood music territory, and clearly have been listening to Zero 7 quite a bit. Unlike some of Zero 7’s work, this seems to be moving on a treadmill, as it progresses along without actually going anywhere. Sure the guitar acoustic part is interesting, as is the flute part but is that enough to sustain your interest after repeated listens from the various sources you expect it to be overplayed, especially Radio 1? Well, there does appear to more than just 3 or 4 underlying parts to it, so there is enough material to digest over the next few weeks. However, the ending seems a tad abrupt and not really built up to – it really could have been ended at any time. Still, it is amiable enough to merit further listens, and hopefully new album “Talkie Walkie” will offer more. (CA). Release Date: January 12th. Link: Official Site: http://www.astralwerks.com/air/default.html
Er, and let's just pretend the rest of January didn't happen(!). But trust me. You didn't miss much.
Comments?
KEANE - SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW
AND ALSO RELEASED IN FEBRUARY:
February 9th:
Blueskins - Change My Mind
Chingy - Holidae Inn
Dave Clarke - What Was Her Name?
Fatman Scoop - It Takes Scoop
Ferry Corsten - Rock Your Body Rock
Jagged Edge - Walked Outta Heaven
MC Jig - Cha Cha Slide
Poppyfields - 45 RPM
Rapture - Love is All
Poppyfields - 45 RPM
Ronan Keating - She Believes (In Me)
Span - Don't Think The Way They Do
Speedway - Can't Turn Back
Stands - Here She Comes Again
Stereophonics - Moviestar
UD Project - Saturday Night
February 16th:
Ana Ann - Children Of The World
Anjali - Rainy Day
Busted - Who's David?
Cinnamon - Cakes And Pies
Clea - Stuck In The Middle
Crackout - This Is What We Do
Cribs - You Were Always The One
Cursive - Recluse
Deepest Blue - Give It Away
Delerium featuring Nerina Pallot - Truly/Fearless
Dogs Die In Hot Cars - Man Bites Man EP
Dub Pistols - Soul Shaking
Earl Slick - Believe
Hundred Reasons - What You Get
Ikara Colt - Wanna Be That Way
Jaga Jazzist - Day
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
Junior Senior - Shake Your Coconuts
Kings Of Leon - California Waiting
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
Lydia Denker - One Perfect Day
Martina Topley-Bird - Soul Food
Mya - Fallen
Raghav - Can't Get Enough
Serge Vegas featuring Technical & Trios - Bad Girl
Slab - Fade Into You
Summer Matthews - Little Miss Perfect
Syntax - Message Bliss
The Stills - Lola Stars And Stripes
Tresspassers William - Lie In The Sound
Woodstar - Cold Cold Heart
February 23rd:
50 Cent - If I Can't
Agnelli & Nelson - Hold Onto Nothing
Airbiscuit - Lately
Black Grass - Going Home
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Six Barrel Shotgun
Blonde Redhead - Elephant Woman
Cribs - You Were Always The One
Despina Vandi - Gia
Eastern Lane - Saffron
Elbow - Not A Job
Icarus Line - Up Against The Wall
Jamelia - Thank You
John Frusciante - Shadows Collide With People
JX - Restless
Lautrec featuring Terry Hall - Things
Lemar - Another Day
Love Inc - Into The Night
Lowgold - Same Way
Rude Rkade - Beautiful
Scott Brown - I Would Stay
Space - Suburban Rock 'N' Roll
Stellastarr* - My Coco
Stylus Junkies - Food For Thought
Tejo, Black Alien & Speed - Follow Me, Follow Me
Tiffany Gayle - Do You Wanna Dance?
VS - Love You Like Mad
Wayne Williams - All About The Sex
Westlife - Obvious
Wilshire - Special
Zero 7 - Home
Alex Finch, Craig Aston, Kate Skelton, and Izzy Brooks.
The Singles Review Archive:
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