ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE - THERE'S A SILENCE
Brothers Alex and Tom White have been heralded as the new supergrass, and after a name change, look set to be on their way as the most talented brothers in the music industry. There's a Silence is taken from their debut album "Silent to the Dark", and is, like their previous single "Empty at the End" a three minute slice of perfect guitar-pop. Catchy, infectious, and does not hang around. Release Date: 29th October. Link: Official Site: http://www.thesoftparade.co.uk/
4HERO - LES FLEURS
One of the best songs and videos this year. Taken from the album, "Creating Patterns", this is similar in style to Daft Punk, and has the kitsch style of some of Groove Armada's vertigo, but it is original and effective in it's sound. Deserves to do well. Link: Official Site: http://www.4hero.co.uk/flashmain.htm
HUNDRED REASONS - REMMUS
Clearly the British At the Drive-in, but without the evocative lyrics. Currently supporting Muse, they are certainly intense, and get the right responses from audiences at gigs. Worth checking out. Link: Official Site: http://www.hundredreasons.com/
NATALIE IMBRUGLIA - THAT DAY
Tuneful if dull, and kind of like Torn, but slightly more upbeat. And better than anything she’s released since her debut single, but hardly essential. So exactly what you’d expect, and whilst this will no doubt do okay, with a top 10 placing most likely, it’s hardly likely to ‘do a kylie’. Release Date: 29th October. Link: Fansite: http://www.imbruglia.com/
GORILLAZ – ROCK THE HOUSE
Odd, and not what I expected. A kind of mix of a seventies tv cop show theme tune, and a lofi house sound, this works, and definitely benefits from the lack of Damon’s vocals too. Not something I’d buy, but it’s certainly worth listening to once in a while on the radio. Release Date: 22nd October. Link: Official Site: http://www.gorillaz.com/
AFROMAN – BECAUSE I GOT HIGH
Comedy song about the perils of smoking marijuana, which sees the leading protagonist too caned to actually do anything and ending up in jail. Unfortunately, this will no doubt be misinterpreted as a stoner’s anthem, and expect all the kids who hang out at the local bus stop to start singing it now. Until they forget the words, anyhow. Release Date: 15th October. Link: Official Site: http://www.afromanmusic.com/
TOM PAULIN – MY LIFE AT THE MOVIES
Wonderfully nostalgic single about devotion to the cinema. A tad, but only a tad, like Pulp and Belle and Sebastian, there’s a fine streak of humour running throughout this, but with a sweet female vocal. The b-sides are mighty fine for once too, revealing a second, male, singer who can equally hold his own. Seek out, download, whatever – but hear. Release Date: 1st October. Link: Official Site: http://www.tompaulin.co.uk/
NEW ORDER - 60 MILES AN HOUR
Sounds a bit like early Primal Scream. And it’s okay, but nowhere near as good as their last release, Crystal. But just okay. Sorry. But there really isn’t much else to say. Release Date: 29th October. Link: Official Site: http://www.neworderonline.com/
TURIN BRAKES – 72
It was back in ’97 that the first batch of Radiohead-a-like band’s hit the indie scene, and whilst most lasted less than a couple of singles, Subcircus managed two mighty fine and twisted albums. And why am I mentioning this? Because Turin Brakes sound near on identical, especially vocally, but somehow lack any of T’Circus’s edge – and yet they’re much more successful. Which frustrates. Anyway, this is one of their better tunes, a piano led ballad which just doesn’t go anywhere. Release Date: 15th October. Link: Official Site: www.turinbrakes.com/
PULP – THE TREES / SUNRISE
Double A-side introducing Pulp’s latest album ‘Pulp Love Life’. The Tree’s is the slightly weaker track of the two, as Jarvis laments on lost and failed love, but it’s still pretty fantastic, though, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that in comparison to the marvellous Sunrise, it pails a little. Because Sunrise is Pulp at their pithy best, sounding more confident (and beautiful) then they have in years. Many have mocked Jarvis’ newfound obsession with nature – but in times like these, maybe we should celebrate life just a little more than we do…Release Date: 8th October. Link: Official Site: http://www.pulponline.com/
SLIPKNOT – LEFT BEHIND
Slipknot need to be careful, because soon the bubble’s going to burst, and people are going to tire of their formulaic brand of shouty / slightly melodic / shouty songs. At first the shock value worked well, but we’re now a couple of years in, and they’re looking slightly weak when compared to many of their peers. Okay. But nothing original anymore. Release Date: 29th October. Link: Fansite: www.subslipknot.co.uk/
THE DANDY WARHOLS – BOHEMIAN LIKE YOU
Re-release of the Dandy’s most popular track so far, after it was recently featured on an advert. And whilst I’d normally rant against that sort of thing, this is so utterly catchy that it really deserves to be a hit, and if it means we can see some decent music in the top 10, then I don’t care how many times they release it. Release Date: October 29th. Link: Official Site: http://www.dandywarhols.com/
BRITNEY SPEARS – I AM A SLAVE 4 U
In which Britney attempts to make the move from the cute kiddie pop audience to the presumably more sexually frustrated ‘adult’ market, and warbles on about being the perfect subservient girlfriend. If you were to take it seriously, and maybe someday someone should, it’d be offensive, but that’s not the point. This is just about selling masturbation fantasies and making as much money as possibly before Britney’s star inevitably implodes. And it does what it sets out to do well, I guess. Release Date: Out on the 15th of October. Link: Fansite: http://www.ukbritney.tv/
THE DIVINE COMEDY – PERFECT LOVE SONG
Sweet touching ballad from the Divine Comedy’s most accomplished album yet. Far less pretentious than previously, this is TDC stripped down of irony and any smugness, and there’s a real sense of honesty that shines through. Hopefully the way forward for the band. Release Date: 29th October. Link: Official Site: http://www.thedivinecomedy.com/home.htm
P.J. HARVEY – THIS IS LOVE
Far more rockier track when compared to her recent singles’ releases. Almost Elastica-y in feel, and sound, it’s not half bad. But I can’t help but feel she’s hardly treading new ground here, and that she must be the least deserving of all the Mercury Music Prize winners. Once again, okay, but nothing you haven’t heard before. Release Date: October 8th. Link: Official Site: http://www.pjharvey.net/
SYSTEM OF A DOWN – CHOP SUEY
The only nu-metal band that I really, really like. Maybe it’s their sense of theatrics, or the fact that they’re so unpredictable, but their’s something quite endearing about this screamy/melodic/rappy/just plain odd track, far more accessible (but slightly less good) than previous releases. Proof that metal can have a sense of humour about itself and still be damn good. Release Date: October 15th. Link: Official Site: http://www.systemofadown.com/
GERI HALLIWELL – CALLING
The worst offender of all the solo Spices. Whilst we only really have any time for Mel B, this makes Ms. Beckham’s latest release look mighty fine, Baby Spice a genius and Mel C a very slightly talented woman. Sigh. At least it should be easy to ignore this. Hopefully her last release. Release Date: 29th October. Link: http://www.geri-halliwell.com/
ZERO 7 – END THEME
Kind of mellow dull chill out music that just fails to engage. Another Mercury Music Prize nominee that really shouldn’t have been on the list. And that’s all I have to say on the matter. Release Date: 15th October. Link: Official Site: http://www.zero7.co.uk/
WEEZER – ISLAND IN THE SUN
Sunny, cute pop released just in time for winter. Far more laid pack, in a pavement kind of way, than we’ve seen from these boys before, and all the better for it. Even the rocky-ish chorus works really well, and for the first time I can see why so many rate this band. Release Date: 1st October. Link: Official Site: http://www.weezer.com/
BRIAN HARVEY AND THE REFUGEE CREW – LOVING YOU
Comedy record of the year. No question. You’d expect Brian Harvey to come out with something this bad, but Wyclef Jean? Anyway, this is an awful ballad in which Harvey and Jean blather on supposedly romantically about how much they love someone, and then it breaks in to an ‘ole ole ole’ chorus which is so dumb that it’s hard to imagine anyone at the record company could listen to this with a straight face. At least you wont have to. Release Date: October 15th.
ASH – CANDY
A bit of an oddity for Ash as they turn their guitars down and try and go all low key and cinematic-y. As per usual for Ash, it sounds rather nice, but is let down by cliched lyrics like ‘Candy pure as driven snow’ and ‘Don’t you know its alright to be alone, you can make it on your own’. Oh, and it goes on far too long too. Release Date: 1st October. Link: Fansite: http://www.ash-unofficial.com/
SUPER FURRY ANIMALS – RINGS AROUND THE WORLD
In which the Super Furries go all traditional on us, with a rockier sounding track than normal with far less general weirdness going on. Which is a shame as I like the Furries most when they’re pulling out all the stops to confuse. It’s nice to see that can do normal, but now they have, hopefully they wont feel the urge to do it again. Release Date: 8th October. Link: Official Site: http://www.superfurry.com/
ELBOW - NEWBORN
The second best track on the album (after powder blue) gets a welcome singles release. Okay, so whilst it may sound a little dull and goes on a little too long, this is pretty sweet stuff nonetheless, and definitely well worth seeking out. Release Date: 8th October. Link: Official Site: http://www.elbow.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2001
MERCURY REV – NITE AND FOG
Wow. Now you know that Deserter’s Songs was something special, but this sounds so much better, more complete and more touching than ever before. And for once, even the lyrics make some sense too. Who’d have thought it. Easily both the best release and video of the month. Release Date: 24th September. Link: Official Site: http://www.mercuryrev.net/content/Hello.html
IAN BROWN – F.E.A.R.
Hmmm. I’m not too sure about this at all. Now whilst it’s undoubtedly Mr Brown’s finest solo effort yet, that doesn’t necessarily mean its any good. Based upon the idea that (nearly) every line begins with F, then E, then A, then R. So you get such profound utterings as ‘Forget Everything and Remember’ and ‘For Everyman A Road’ etc, etc. It’s a nice idea I guess, and it all sounds rather fine, but I was left with a hollow feeling after listening to it. Hmmm again. Wearily recommended I guess. Release Date: 17th September. Link: Official Site: http://www.ianbrown-online.co.uk/
DIDO – HUNTER
Another lo-fi melody from the former Eminem collaborator. Very similar to Thank You, but a little stronger, as Dido warbles on about how much she longs for the single life. Nice. But little more than that. Release Date: 10th September. Link: Fansite: http://tydo.blue-orange.org/
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS – DAYS OF THE WEEK
After all the tales of drug and bodily abuse I was expecting a little more than a rather trad indie rock song from the stone temple pilots, but that’s what you’ve got. And it’s hard to say anymore on the matter. So I wont. Release Date: 10th September. Link: http://www.stonetemplepilots.com/flashintro.html
GORKY’S ZYGOTIC MYNCI – STOOD ON GOLD
Huge, luscious return from the psychedelic welsh lads. Less poppy but far more beautiful than past efforts, this may well be the track that propels them in to the public consciousness. And about time too. Release Date: 3rd September. Link: Official Site: http://www.gorkys.com/
ROXETTE – MILK, TOAST AND HONEY
Surprisingly okay comeback from the previously thought dead Swedish pop band. It’s far more low key than their previous material, and actually rather catchy. But before this review gets too positive – it is still Euro-pop and will never grace your stereo after a few listens. Release Date: September 10th
STEPS – CHAIN REACTION
Cover of a song I’m ashamed to say I bought when I was about six. Kind of a fun song, but, as you may have guessed, Steps’ rendition is utterly pointless. But I’ve been ranting about hating this sort of trashpop for too long, and it’s ultimately pointless, as the six year olds of this world are still going to rush out and buy it. Release Date: 24th September. Link: Fansite: http://members.nbci.com/_XMCM/ukmusic/index.html
ELTON JOHN - I WANT LOVE
But I thought he had love - isn’t David Furnish there anymore to keep him warm at night? Or is this just the usual nonsensical ballad that doesn’t apply in the slightest to the life of it’s performer? Now. There’s a surprise. Anyhow, this is less than adequate, a soft rock tragedy with a huge Aerosmithy chorus. Sickening. Release Date: 26th September. Link: We refuse to look for one on moral/sanity grounds.
BEN FOLDS – ROCKIN’ THE SUBURBS
My first impression of this was, "Oh no, Ben's become a cartoon of his former self". But on reflection, it really is not too bad. Granted, it is not a patch on Ben Folds Five's work, but it is early days. As a parody of all the rock that is big in the mainstream charts these days, it is very good. Personally, I prefer BFF's first album, and some of "Whatever and Ever Amen", but the indications are there for a decent solo career. Release Date: 17th September. Link: Official Site: http://www.benfolds.com/
ALIEN ANT FARM – SMOOTH CRIMINAL
Cover of the famous Michael Jackson track, speeded up and given a nu-metal spin. Sounds exactly as you’d expect it to, which is by no means bad, but ultimately pointless. Lots of wooos and a strangely placebo-esque chorus doesn’t make things any better either. Recommended only to those with fond memories of the original (you crazed people). Release Date: 24th September. Link: Official Site: http://www.alienantfarm.com/
FAITHLESS - MUHAMMED ALI
Tributes do not get much better than this, as Faithless get all funky on us, and whilst We Come One was as good a rabble-rouser as Insomnia or God is A DJ, Muhammed Ali is certainly something special. Already highlighted by many critics as a 'star' in an otherwise mediocre album (their words, not mine), influences of 70's funk, the mix of brass is reminiscent of the Rocky theme, and the classic rhythm of Faithless remains. Beautifully put together, worth buying. Release Date: 3rd Spetember. Link: Fansite: http://www.insomnia.tmfweb.nl/
THE COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE - LETS KILL MUSIC
Spunky but (intentionally) ultra-repetitive release from these UK space rockers. It’s fun, and with lyrics like ‘we dare you to mean a single thing you say’ you can sense some intelligence behind it all, but It’s just not quite enough to impress. Release Date: 17th Sep. Link: Official Site: http://145.228.80.23/home.html
MACY GRAY FEAT ERYKAH BADU - SWEET BABY
Real sweet and real slow ballad from the former ‘I try’ screamer. This is relaxed, sweet & mellow stuff, perfect for those forthcoming autumn evenings when you want the world to be a little warmer. I’d written Gray off, but she’s back with a real strong track here. Release Date: 3rd September. Link: Official Site: http://www.accessyourid.com/
STARSAILOR - ALCOHOLIC
It sounds really great, and it’s something almost very special, but this beautiful, piano led ballad is let down by lyrics like “Don’t you know you’ve got Daddy’s eyes, and Daddy was an alcoholic.” Worth listening to, and hopefully their second album will deliver on all of the promise that they’ve shown thus far. Release Date: 17th September. Link: Official Site: www.starsailor.net
STEREOPHONICS - STEP ON MY OLD SIZE NINES
Ahhh. Fuck me. They just keep on getting worse, don’t they? This time round it’s even slower than usual, with Jones rambling on about being a daydreamer, before it becomes almost country-ish. Why do I have this horrid feeling that they’ll never split up, and just keep on going and going and going? Please, whoever it is who buys their records, stop now. Release Date: 17th September. Link: Fansite: http://www.stereophonics.co.uk/
TRAVIS - SIDE
In which Travis attempt to get all deep and complex on us, but end up just being oddly patronising. I’m sure their hearts were in the right place, but this sort of sub-Oasis philosophising (such as ‘‘We all live under the same sky, We all will live, we all will die, There is no wrong, there is no right’ etc, etc ) just isn't needed. Normally sweetly honest, this is just too trivial to be worth bothering with, and I’d be very surprised if it’s anywhere near as popular as their last few single releases. (AF)
Again, I differ from Alex. I feel that this has more promise than "Sing", and is certainly perfect for the American market. The jangly guitars return, which is a good thing, for they are the best part of Travis' sound, and form the second most sentimental song on the album, after "Flowers in the Window". It should sell well both sides of the Atlantic. If only. (CA)
Release Date: 17th September. Link: Official Site: http://www.travisonline.com/
MANIC STREET PREACHERS - LET ROBESON SING
Another celebratory song, this time concerning Paul Robeson, a reasonably unknown race activist, with a brief sample to let us know how poetic he was too. I like the idea behind this, but the delivery is just a little too poppy, and a little too simple as well. Once again Richey’s absence on this sort of track is all too obvious. Release Date: 10th September. Link: Official Site: http://www.manics.co.uk/manics/
Craig Aston, Alex Finch.
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PULP - THE TREES
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