Queens of the Stone Age - Feel good hit of the summer
Merely a case of singlalong, but stay off in this drugs inspired stone-come-robot rock from Josh Homme and company. Just don't forget to singalong, "NIcotine, Valium, Vicaden, marjuana, ecstasy and alcohol - C - C - C - C - C- Co - cayyyyyyynnnnneeee!! ". Official Site: http://www.qotsa.com/
Ooberman - Dolphin Blue
New aquatic themed single from the rather lovely Scouse psychedelic popsters. For more info, check out our interview with lead singer Danny Popplewell by clicking here. Offcial Site: http://www.ooberman.com
Marilyn Manson - Disposable Teens
Mild recommendation for the tongue-in-cheek offering of the satanic one's first single of the new album, "Holy Wood". True, it is garnering airplay from former bubblegum pop acolytes such as Radio 1 Disc Jockey Chris Moyles, but it sounds far too much like "Rock is Dead" from the previous album, "Mechanical Animals". Two or three listens, and you will feel like you've heard it all before. Official Site: http://www.marilynmanson.net/
Tindersticks - What Is A Man
The band that just can’t do any wrong surprise usually depressed fans with this subtle but upbeat cover of an old Four Tops song. The theme music for the BBC’s excellent drama The Sins, this may not see the band at their most emotionally touching, but is still damn fine stuff. Checkout a superb fansite at:http://huizen.dds.nl/~totos/tinder.htm
Foo Fighters - Next Year
Radio-Friendly ballads ahoy, as Dave Grohl and company follow the route of Art Alexakis and fellow bunkies of Everclear, with this daydreamy track from "There is Nothing Left to Lose". This is not the best choice off the album certainly, as "Gimme Stitches" or "MIA" would have left the Foos with their rock integrity intact, and would have been more pleaant to listen to.
Small UK tour follows in December. Official Site: http://www.foofighters.com/
Cousteau - Cousteau
Love it or loathe it. But, Marmite comparisons aside, this is certainly distinctive in today's market, and is reminiscent of Elvis Costello's warblings on classics such as "Shipbuilding". Hugely under-rated EP earlier on in the year with "Last Good Day of the Year". Lounge lizards are crawling out from under their rocks' as we speak. Official Site: http://www.cousteau.co.uk/
Destiny's Child - Independent Woman
Expected to get panoramic airplay due to its inclusion on the Charlie's Angels Soundtrack, this texan outfit are an outstanding act in a genre which can often sound over-produced and bland. Such blandness is a far cry from the roots of the music, but all that is forgotten when the glamour pusses of Destiny's Child strut their stuff.
Ideal for the party circuit, and the sort of tune to relax to in the car, as it's pumping on your radio. Official Site: http://www.destinyschild.com/
Eminem - Stan
Tipped to be the christmas number one, Marshall Mathers goes from quirky to angst-ridden, and now to poignant and heartfelt, with this hugely topical track revolving around an obsessive fan by the name of Stan. His stalker-esque adulation is unrequited, and voices his frustration in a letter which he sends to Eminem. Rumours circulate that "Stan" is fact, not fiction. But irrespective of this debate, it only emphasises Mr. Mathers diversity, and would be an outstanding choice of Number one for christmas, if it prevents boy and girl bands from making their mark. Official Site: http://eminem.farmclub.com/
Doves - The Man Who Told Everything
Taken from the lost souls, this crept into the lower reaches of the top 40, but deserves much more, and wonderfully refreshing melodic tune to counteract the powderpuff produced world of bubblegum pop. Official Site:http://www.doves.net/
Granddaddy - He's Simple, He's Dumb, He's The Pilot
Increasing their publicity by appearing on Later... with Jools, this California swamp rock outfit follow up the highly rated Hewlett's Daughter (well, at this site anyway) with a blend of crunchy guitars and keyboards which wouldn't be out of place on a space soundtrack. Official Site: http://www.grandaddylandscape.com/
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - The Blue Trees
Another superb mini-album from these strange welsh chaps, a mix of folk, pop, psychedelia and a lot more mature than previous releases. Unofficial Site at: http://www.gorkys.com/gorkyintro.htm
Papa Roach - Last Resort
Receiving apocalyptic airplay in the evening session; this track from the hardcore punk outfit is reminiscent of Faith No More, which is good to hear. Explicit lyrics contained, but if you like this type of music, you expect it. Official Site: http://www.paparoach.com/
Badly Drawn Boy - Once around the Block
After the eventual success of Badly Drawn Boy's album, The Hour of the Bewilderbeast, and the beneficial PR from winning the Mercury Music Prize, this track has crept into the Virgin.20, which in plain English is the top twenty most requested songs online. A considerable achievement for this track, as it was initially picked up by Pete and Geoff over a year ago, or maybe this reviewer had a premonition? Official Site: http://www.badlydrawnboy.co.uk/
Spearmint - Oklahoma
All too brief (32 minutes) Pulp/Smiths esque album, with a touch of Northen soul too. Features the superb 'Sweeping the Nation', an ode to all the unheard of bands, of which hopefully Spearmint wont become one of. Vaguely similar to Hefner, who they're supporting in London at the end of the month. Official Site at: http://www.spearmint.net/
Blur - Music is My Radar
A great band always offers some different and interesting, without completely changing their sound altogether. Oasis should take note of this, as Blur have done it again with a reggae-inspired clunky slice of indie music, focusing more on sounds rather than lyrics.
Idlewild - Roseability
Follow-up to 'These fake Ideas', from a band who seem to have replaced punky guitars with scratchy acoustics.
Hefner - Greedy Ugly People
Another new single from another new album from this fragile London based Pulp/Smiths influenced band.
Coldplay - Trouble
'Third' hit out of three, as introduced by singer Chris Martin, is just as impressive as 'Shiver' and 'Yellow', but more empathetic, as Martin offers, " I never meant cause you trouble". Shiver was a good pop song, Yellow was an Anthem, and this is the melancholic ballad, and they're all fantastic.
Boho Sub Band - Jiggle Your Roots
Beck and Gomez mixed together with a sense of humour, a band who thankfully don't have a consistent sound - and are all the better for it.
JJ72 - October Swimmer
We are going to keep on about them until people realise they are the next big thing from Ireland, and deserve more attention than Westlife, or Boyzone, or U2 for that matter.
In their infancy aswell, they can only blossom into a phenomenon.
Mansun - Electric Man
Second single from the radio-friendly third album, "Little Kix". The above descriptor isn't meant to detract from the quality of the album or this track, it's just a far cry from the prog-rock inspired "SIX" days.
Alabama 3 - Too Sick To Pray
More crazy stoned rock/gospel/dance fusion with the boys most famous for providing The Soprano's with a superb theme tune. A must buy.
Queens of the Stone Age - The Lost art of Keeping a Secret
It has already had late night airplay on MTV's 'Brand New', but this offering from the heavily recommended "Rated 'R'" album is a wonderful introduction to those out there who are otherwise unaware of the 'robot-rockers'.
Drugstore - I Wanna Love You
Um, the female Radiohead? Well, maybe occasionally, but Drugstore are far more fun and feisty - buy this now as they're threatening to split up and only chart success could change this.
September 2000
Smashing Pumpkins - Try Try Try
An exquisitely sombre, swansong from Billy Corgan, James Iha and co. Never one to shy away from controversy, the accompanying video (directed by Jonas Akerlund) deals with post-watershed issues, but complements the song, and enhances the mood to one of grief, or saying goodbye to an old friend.
Ween - Even if you Don't
Taken from the 'White Pepper' Album, this catchy kitsch is ideal for those that prefer not to take music that seriously. Video directed by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (South Park), so you can guess that it's wonderfully cheesy.
Eminem - The Way I Am
In complete contrast to 'the real slim shady', this is more serious and angst ridden, and Marshall Mathers tirade against everyone who's against him and/or showing interest in him, now he's famous (basically Media, braindead DJs, and over-enthusiastic fans are on the hit-list).
Everclear - Wonderful
Moving into radio-friendly rock for this normally grunge-like outfit. Taken from 'Volume 1' of a series of proposed concept albums, which may hopefully return the band to it's raw roots. In the meantime, the single is melodic and relaxing, and ought to be on the playlist of most commercial radio stations.
Straw - Watching you Sleep
Taken from the 'Homework' EP; this is the Straw lads' prelude to the new album, "Keepsakes" . Now residing in London (after originating in Bristol); there has been a change in personnel, a change in record company, and a change in style; so don't expect the quirkyness of the debut album 'Shoplifting', but something more downbeat.
August 2000
Sing–Sing – Feels Like Summer
More sixties/nineties girl pop from the ex lush singer. Fun, but not substantial enough. File under interesting.
Hefner – Good Fruit
Cool new single from the fragile pulp/smiths like London band. Just announced a major new tour, check out http://www.hefnet.com/ for details…
Mojo - Lady
Wonderfully retro nightclub track, which will arouse even the most avant garde of music listeners who quake at the sound of Mambo No. 5 at their local discotheque.
Cinerama - Lollobrigida
New single from David Gedge's highly underated new band. Romantic in a jaded cynical dry kind of way.
Grandaddy – Hewlett’s Daughter
Second single off the beautiful The Sophtware Slump. If you havent sampled Grandaddy yet, do so now. Lush, slightly psychedelic and not even one of the best tracks on the album.
Lauren Laverne - Take These Flowers Away EP
First new material from the ex-kenickie singer since the demise of the band, what you’d expect, but better. Now, how great would it be to see Lauren and Rosita fighting it out for a No. 1 spot?
Mansun - I can only Disappoint U.
Single taken from recently released 3rd album, Little Kix. Not as dark as previous efforts, and very radio-friendly, but still impressive to have mansun back in the charts
Urusei Yatsura - Louche 33
Okay, so these Scottish popsters may sound the same as they did five years ago, but then they were something pretty special back then.
Spiller feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Groovejet
Radio 1 Shameless plugging aside, this track offers the same attraction as Mojo, and thankfully pipped Posh and Dane to the top spot in the charts.
June/July 2000
Eels - Flyswatter
Taken from the "Daisies of the Galaxy" album. Following the more upbeat, "Mr E's Beautiful Blues", a return to the more dark, downbeat world that encompasses E's songwriting.
Dandy Warhols - Get Off
A switch in sound, from the heavily eighties influenced last album, to this spaghetti-western related track. Taken from "Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia"
Gomez - Machismo
Another change in sound, as it appears that the boys have given the sound a more re-mixed edge. Expect something different to 'Bring it On' or 'Liquid Skin'
Muse - Unintended
Melancholic, Moody, and exceptionally dark. Comparisons with Radiohead will come a plenty, but Muse are rapidly building up a reputation as a high quality band. It's even getting played on the Chris Moyles show!!
Foo Fighters - Breakout
In contrast, a roaring rock number from the Foos. Taken from "There is Nothing left to Lose", the singles played thus far have been grossly underrated, considering the chart positions of Blink 182 etc. A shining light in the flagging state of the Rock genre.
AC/DC - Stiff Upper Lip
Taken from the album of the same name, they have left the over-produced bombasticity of the eighties and taken a leaf out of Aerosmith's book. These guys really do shoot from the hip
Bush - Letting The Cables Sleep
Melancholic Ballad taken from "THE SCIENCE OF THINGS" album.
BabyBird - Out of Sight
Follow-up to the return to form 'F-word' Taken from the Album "Bugged" Wonderfully romantic Video.
The Bluetones - Autophillia
Excellent follow-up to HOME FIRES. New album "SCIENCE AND NATURE" Out Now!
Rage Against The Machine - Sleep Now InThe Fire
Rousing follow-up to GUERRILLA RADIO (both taken from the album THE BATTLE OF L.A) Keep an eye open for the video if you have access to MTV. They make Chumbawumba seem so fake.
Belle and Sebastian - Legal Man
Slight departure into Sixties culture for the scottish 8 piece band. A refreshing burst of music in the current scene, A tune definitely worth listening to. Thankfully recognised by Mark and Lard.
The Charlatans - Impossible
Bob Dylan and the Beatles key influences in this pleasant offering from the "Us and Us Only" album. Puts Oasis in the shade.
JJ72 - Long Way South
More melodic jangly stuff from the band the press are calling 'the new manics' - even if they do sound more like Radiohead too me.
Bellatrix - Sweet Surrender
One of the best bands ever to come from Iceland(!) Lovely stuff, anyhow, from one of the best live bands around.
Lampchop - Up With The People!
I know Alt-country sounds terrible, but if anyone can persuade you it's a worthy genre, then Lampchop can.
Black Box Recorder - The Art of Driving
More Lush pop from the band who recently broke in to the top 20 with 'The Facts of Life'.
Hefner - Christian Girls
More fragile songwriting from Darren Hayman and co. Boxing Hefner - they're collection of old tracks and b-sides is well worth seeking out too.
Craig Aston and Alex Finch.
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