Music - Singles of the Week - Monday, August 11
IndieLondon gleefully checks out the cream of the week’s singles. All you have to do is click on the pictures to order them…
SINGLE OF THE WEEK 1: REM – MAN-SIZED WREATH: REM continue to roll back the years in glorious fashion with another fleet-footed gem, Man Sized Wreath, to emerge from their latest LP, Accelerate. Driven by the type of brash guitar-work that made the Monster era so invigorating, and clocking in at a snappy two and a half minutes, it’s an angry record in many ways (check out the image-strewn video), that builds to several cracking, chant-along choruses. Give it two or three listens, and you’ll be shouting aloud with Michael Stipe to “give me some”, as he puts his point across in typically intelligent, yet forceful fashion. It’s been a long time since REM have consistently been this good and it’s little wonder that the latest album attracted such favourable reviews.
Rating: 4 out of 5
SINGLE OF THE WEEK 2: JACK JOHNSON – SLEEP THROUGH THE STATIC: Following his hugely successful UK tour dates – including playing in front of a sell-out crowd of 350,000 in London’s Hyde Park earlier this summer – Jack Johnson now releases the title track from his latest album, Sleep Through The Static. Displaying the same laidback acoustic-based charm as many former singles, the track is also notable for being a little more angry and questioning than normal (much like the rest of the album). It’s rife with candid observations that operate in contrast to the subtle riffs and underlying banjo. The chorus, especially, is full of questions, such as: “Who needs sleep when we’ve got love? Who needs keys when we’ve got clubs? Who needs please when we’ve got guns? Who needs peace when we’ve gone above but beyond where we should have gone?” The album has now sold over 250,000 copies in the UK alone and a special edition (aka 2CD tour edition) is now available – it thoroughly deserves to continue the Jack Johnson success story.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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SINGLE OF THE WEEK 3: STYROFOAM – BRIGHT RED HELMET: Antwerp, Belgium-based indie-electro musician/producer Styrofoam (aka Arne Van Petegem) releases Bright Red Helmet as the first single to emerge from his LP, A Thousand Words. It’s an utterly infectious concoction, based around some chiming synth stabs, some subtle vocals, and an indie and electro sensibility that’s genuinely appealing. Indeed, the single is so easy on the ears that you’ll probably have fallen for its charms upon the very first listen. What’s more, the single contains four additional tracks, including remixes of album tracks from Cassettes Won’t Listen and Kate Simko, as well as two exclusive acoustic tracks. Of those four singles, the Cassettes Won’t Listen remix of A Thousand Words is disarmingly simple, kooky and appealing, gradually layering in the beats, while Simko’s combo of trance and ambience also eases you into a relaxed state of mind during The Other Side Of Town remix. The acoustic tracks, No Deliveries List and Other Side Of Town are similarly enchanting. Highly recommended.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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THE CURE – PERFECT BOY: The Cure release the fourth of four singles that precede the release of their new album, their 13th, in the form of The Perfect Boy. As captured live on various YouTube postings from concerts in Europe and America, it’s another powerfully delivered, yet deeply melodic song that showcases all that’s brilliant about this particular band. The guitar-work, in particular, leans towards the more melodic approach the band can adopt (as opposed to the menacing riffs of some singles), while Robert Smith’s vocals are as beautifully striking as ever. On the evidence of the tracks that have been released so far (most of which can be heard on MySpace as well), the 13th studio album from Smith and co will be well worth rushing out to buy when it finally hits record stores in September.
Rating: 4 out of 5
THE VERVE – LOVE IS NOISE: Any new record from The Verve is generally worth hearing but Love Is Noise takes much longer to get used to. The main reason for this is the curious backing vocal/instrumental backdrop to the track, which is disconcerting to say the least. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve still got used to it! Fortunately, the emphatic chorus, powered by those distinct Richard Ashcroft vocals, helps it out a little bit – but you can’t help but shudder a little whenever the opening moments start playing on the radio. As a comeback single, it’s a curious choice that could put off as many people as it encourages to the forthcoming album, Forth. It’s certainly not reflective of their best work.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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DELAYS – KEEP IT SIMPLE: Delays release the epic heart-breaker Keep It Simple from their latest album, Everything’s The Rush. The song confidently bounces shimmering piano hooks off crunching guitar riffs and more strings to create another giddy highlight from the album, complete with typically skyscraping vocals from their unmistakeable lead singer, Greg Gilbert. It’s a treat for fans who have deservedly flocked to the excellent LP. The single release is notable for two more reasons: firstly, a cover version of Neil Diamond’s ‘60s classic Cherry Cherry on the flipside (a song the band have, of late, included in their live set and in their stripped down ‘skiffle band’ sessions for radio and online), and secondly, for the video, featuring Ewen Macintosh, known to many as “Keith from The Office”. In it, Ewen is seen jogging his way to heaven after a burger-induced heart attack while out for his morning run. Cheery stuff, huh?
Rating: 4 out of 5
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BETH ROWLEY – SWEET HOURS: New British singing sensation Beth Rowley releases Sweet Hours as the latest single from her excellent debut album, Little Dreamer. One of the many highlights, the track itself is vintage, smoky blues – a laidback, gospel-tinged number that brings Beth’s superb vocals to the fore. With its delicate piano and downbeat guitar, the song provides the perfect accompaniment for the soulful voice that belies Beth’s tender years. What’s more, it offers a stark contrast in style to the more breezy, pop style of former single, So Sublime, thereby underlining Rowley’s remarkable talent. If you haven’t already had chance to check it out, then we advise you to give Little Dreamer a whirl – it’s one of the debut albums of the year.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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BLOC PARTY – MERCURY: Bloc Party’s new single Mercury is another new release from a prominent band that takes a little getting used to – and then you may still not be sure! Kele Okereke and the boys appear to have come over all retro-laced, as well as electro. They’ve replaced the layered guitars and thoughtful lyricism with a deafening electric stomp that feels like a backwards step for them. The song begins in striking fashion, as Kele declares that “my Mercury’s in retrograde”, whilst being accompanied by echoed drums, the odd electronic wisps and a remix-style vocal shuffle. It then tosses in some synth horns and some chaotic stop-start sound mixing, before building to its edgy chorus and ambient undertones. Kele’s vocals remain the most striking thing about the track, but the jury’s definitely out on whether this is a bold new direction for them, or the prelude to a disappointing third LP. We’re leaning on the latter suspicion at the minute!
Rating: 2 out of 5
RED LIGHT COMPANY – MECCANO: Another hotly-tipped London-based five-piece, Red Light Company, release new single Meccano and succeed in continuing to further their reputation as purveyors of infectious indie-pop. Driven by some grittier guitars than normal, yet retaining a radio-friendly melody and some sing-along style choruses, it’s an emphatic return from them that should easily bring them even more listeners. Vocalist and guitarist Richard says of the track: “It’s based around an imaginary conversation between two old friends and the distance growing between them as their lives go on. It’s about the regret of a passing friendship.” We’d strongly advise you to take a listen – and it even works in plainly instrumental form.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
THE MUSIC – THE SPIKE: The Music return with another new single in the form of the driving The Spike, produced by Flood (Killers, U2) and Paul Hartnoll (ex-Orbital). Recorded at The Townhouse in London, it’s a slow-builder by their standards, beginning in somewhat brooding fashion before exploding to life in a chorus that’s fuelled by guitars and synths. The vocal layering is a nice touch, too, that makes the verses a little more exciting than normal, while the guitar outro ends things with a definite flourish. But there’s still a sense that this band is a little too rooted in its signature sound and, while certainly a step in the right direction, it never strays far enough to suggest their capable of really making heads turn for anyone that doesn’t already know what to expect. Still, it’s worth noting that this is the second single to be lifted from their recent top 20 album, Strength In Numbers, their first in four years.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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THE RYES – HOW COME LORETTA: London based five-piece The Ryes release their debut single in the form of How Come Loretta, an infectious indie-pop anthem that lays down some notable markers for their debut LP Square Peggs. The song is chock full of upbeat hooks and more than hummable choruses that suggest they could quickly eek their way into the popular music sub-conscious much like bands such as Scouting Fort Girls and The Holloways (both of whom they’ve recently supported). Vocally, Paul Canning could do with keeping things a little more subdued (some of his warblings veer towards Darkness-style falsetto swings), but he’s helped out considerably by the vocal harmonising of his cohorts, as well as the brash, lively guitar work. They’re deservedly being hailed as ones to watch.
Rating: 3 out of 5
SMOKE FAIRIES – LIVING WITH GHOSTS/TROUBLES: The last 12 months have seen the Smoke Fairies – that is, two stately, soulful songstresses by the name of Jessica Davies and Katherine Blamire – carry their haunted, haunting songs to the furthest corners of this Fair Isle. They’ve toured the strange, grand and crumbling theatres of the UK at the personal request of Roxy Music’s Bryan Ferry, brought their spooky spectral harmonies to the stage of the Royal Festival Hall, where they performed live as special guests of their friends the Magic Numbers, and they were invited to perform alongside the likes of Nick Cave and Ed Harcourt (who has sprinkled some dust with them in the studio already) at Jarvis Cocker’s Meltdown. New double-A side single showcases their spectral style in suitably pay-attention fashion, wrapping their haunted vocals around some brooding slide guitars and low-key beats. It’s thoughtful, thought-provoking songwriting that rewards the more patient listener – and it’ll doubtless make you want to seek out more of their work.
Rating: 4 out of 5
GO: AUDIO – SHE LEFT ME: A break-up anthem that doesn’t really sound like a break-up anthem… hmmm. It can only be the slick indie-pop sounds of the rapidly emerging Go: Audio, the latest in a long line of bands who get their musical kicks by channelling the sound of bands such as McFly, Elliott Minor and, of late, The Stiff Dylans. That is to say, pop bands with a rock edge, who are mostly only capable of appealing to a predominantly teenage fanbase. Taken on those terms, it’s undemanding, inconsequential stuff. But quite why people continue to flock to it as much as they do when it’s pretty formulaic stuff is beyond me. And why does such a devastatingly themed song require such an impossibly upbeat melody? Maybe they have some musical growing up to do.
Rating: 2 out of 5
MADCON – BEGGIN’: Norwegian rap duo Madcon release this spirited cover version of the classic Franki Valli track with some rapping thrown in. As with most pop cover versions, they can’t hold a candle to the original Beggin’ but it’s far from being a disaster (especially if you’ve heard some of Madcon’s original material), and carries with it an effortless ability to make you want to strut your stuff on the dancefloor. Vocally, it’s reminiscent of Wyclef Jean and Will.I.Am in style (not necessarily a good thing), but owing to the popular familiarity of the original – and the fact they haven’t strayed too far, if at all – it’s a funky slice of pop fun to keep the temperature raised on the dancefloor.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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GET WELL SOON – IF THIS HAT IS MISSING…: Get Well Soon release a new single, If This Hat is Missing, I Have Gone Hunting, on digital download from Monday, August 11. Taken from the highly acclaimed debut album, Rest Now, Weary Head! You Will Get Well Soon, the song adds some foreboding rock to the GWS sound, as well as some innocent backing vocals that serve as a nice juxtaposition. It’s a typically lively, adventurous creation that goes some way to explaining why GWS have emerged as one of the more interesting acts of the year. Get Well Soon is the musical vision of 25-year-old Berlin based songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and Philosophy student – Konstantin Gropper. It’s worth noting, too, that Get Well Soon have two songs in the latest Wim Wenders movie The Palmero Shooting. Wenders (of Paris Texas/Wings Of Desire/Million Dollar Baby/Buena Vista Social Club fame) heard the debut album and immediately contacted Konstantin and asked him to contribute two new songs to the soundtrack. The Palamero Shooting stars Dennis Hopper, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Milla Jovovich and Giovanna Messogiorno and the soundtrack also includes songs from Irmin Schmidt (Can) Grinderman, Portishead, Lou Reed, Calexico and Will Oldham.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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GRAMMATICS – NEW FRANCHISE: Grammatics’ shape-shifting alt-rock of ‘cut throat’ cello and sparkling electronica is being hailed by their PR as “an ambitious triumph for melodramatic-pop”. It certainly offers an alternative take on an established formula and stretches the art-rock idea to interesting new places. Evidence of their sound is now available at the band’s website where the single New Franchise has been available as a free download since August 4. It’s an interesting listen that could well appeal to fans of acts such as Bloc Party, Hot Chop and even My Bloody Valentine. Newly signed to Dance To The Radio (Pigeon Detectives/iFORWARD RUSSIA!) , their debut album nears completion with producer James Kenosha at the faders. Set for release in February, fans can get an early preview of the album as the band tour the UK in August.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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THE KIC PIMPZ – NO STOPPING US: London-based producers The Kic Pimpz seek to deliver a straight out of the box party floor-filler with their latest single, No Stopping Us. Using elements of the classic Ollie and Jerry Breakin’ (There’s No Stopping Us) hit (which was a US No.1 and a Top 5 UK smash in 1984), this is a pretty straightforward dance anthem that wears its ‘80s credentials on its sleeve – albeit having been given a more pumped up back beat and some extra synths. The track has already received radio support from the likes of Kiss FM, Radio 1’s Pete Tong and Juice FM’s Anton Powers – and it’s certain to become a big hit on the Ibiza party scene. For that reason alone, it’s not really our bag. The thumping beats and shameless ‘80s pilfering have become something of an overworked genre for us and we’re beginning to feel fatigued. A massive 11 remixes doesn’t help either!
Rating: 2 out of 5
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