Music - Singles of the Week - Monday, July 23
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 2: ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE – MISUNDERSTANDING: Brighton’s Electric Soft Parade provide a timely reminder of why they were once considered the new kings of indie-influenced electro-pop. Misunderstanding is a shimmering, feelgood piece of songwriting that’s built around prog-laced hooks and an infectious sense of style. At two and a half minutes, it’s a breezy anthem in waiting that’s perfect for playing loud and free on a hot summer’s day. The vocal layering is, at times, reminiscent of Brian Wilson and co, while the laidback chorus is superbly delivered to ensure maximum satisfaction. The cute little central stop-start riff even flirts with Weezer’s Island In The Sun – or am I misunderstood? Nevertheless, it’s a welcome return to form for the Electric Soft Parade that ought to be embraced by a wide listener base.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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SINGLE OF THE WEEK 2: FEIST – 1234: Just occasionally, you need to listen to something kooky, endearing and so melody strewn it’s capable of blowing away the stresses and strains of the everyday. Feist’s whimsical, charming 1234 is that kind of track. Built around her lovely, lazy vocals and all manner of instrumental layering (from banjos to pianos and hand-clap beats), this is a feel-good song par excellence from one of the more interesting artists working in Canada at the moment. Feist is, of course, the solo project of Canada’s Leslie Feist, a prolific artist who has also played in one capacity or another with Broken Social Scene, Kings of Convenience and half a dozen other bands. It’s taken from her current album The Reminder and boasts a similarly giddy video featuring the singer herself surrounded by a bevy of dancers and simply going with the flow. We encourage you to do the same, given it has the ability to put a smile on your face on the rainiest of summer days.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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NEWTON FAULKNER – DREAM CATCH ME: The rise of Newton Faulkner has taken a steady path over the past two years with constant touring, primarily with leftfield “surfer friendly” acts such as Donovan Frankenreiter and John Butler Trio and more recently with more commercial acts like James Morrison and Paolo Nutini. Following the release of his debut single I Need Something, Faulkner now delivers his next effort Dream Catch Me as a pre-cursor to his debut album Hand Built By Robots at the end of July. Dream Catch Me is a shimmering mid-tempo ballad that boasts a strong set of vocals, some nice guitar loops and a notable backbeat that lends it a genuinely rousing quality. “Surfer friendly” is an appropriate term, as it’ll doubtless be one of the records of choice around many beach campfires this summer (where board boys and gals can strum along to its hooks with their own acoustic guitars).
Rating: 4 out of 5
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NINE BLACK ALPS – BURN FASTER: Nine Black Alps recently returned from an extended sojourn in LA recording their follow-up album to the critically acclaimed Everything Is with Dave Sardy (Oasis, Jet, Wolfmother). The first fruit of their labour is new single Burn Faster, a typically gutsy piece of guitar rock that’s rousing, melodic and instantly gratifying. The guitars are nicely distorted and explode to life on several occasions, while the vocals are as striking as ever. What’s most encouraging though is that Nine Black Alps continue to show signs of maturing as songwriters. This bodes extremely well for the forthcoming sophomore album and looks set to put them firmly back on the map.
Rating: 4 out of 5
GROOVE ARMADA – SONG FOR MUTYA: Song 4 Mutya is the second single from Groove Armada’s latest album Soundboy Rock and one of its easiest and most accessible highlights. Featuring ex-Sugababe Mutya Buena, the song boasts some deliberately strong ‘80s influences and an infectious sense of melody that makes it a huge jump-around pop tune for the summer (if we ever get one!). There are times when you think the disco melodies might career into a Go West or Roxette cover version but thanks to Mutya’s gritty vocals and the busy beats and ever-evolving format this is a fun song that ought to appeal to swingers from just about every demographic. What’s more, it’s a radical departure from Groove Armada’s lead single – and all the more refresing for it!
Rating: 4 out of 5
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YEAH YEAH YEAHS – IS IS EP: Yeah Yeah Yeahs make a surprise return after 2006’s stunning Show Your Bones with this must for fans – a five-track EP of live favourites. Entitled Is Is, the EP was recorded on a whirlwind day in New York and features songs written on the road while they toured Fever To Tell and three of those songs have previously appeared on their live DVD Tell Me What Rockers To Swallow. However, it marks the first time they’ve been recorded in a studio. What’s more, they’ve even made a special film to accompany the EP with co-directors KK Barrett (Sofia Coppola films) and Lance Bangs (video director – Sonic Youth, Nirvana). Recorded live in night-vision at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn on May 7, the band played a legendary set to just 100 lucky female fans. The EP is available on gatefold double 7” vinyl, CD digipack and a digital bundle with art exclusively designed by long time collaborator Julian Gross, from Liars. However, as all formats will carry the full 5 tracks this will be a special non chart-eligible release. But that shouldn’t detract from the overall brilliance, making it an essential purchase for any Yeah Yeah Yeahs follower.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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TIMBALAND feat KERI HILSON – THE WAY I ARE: Timbaland returns with the second single from his album Shock Value in the form of the Sexy Back sounding The Way I Are. Rather than using Justin Timberlake, however, this track features the vocal talents of Keri Hilson and D.O.E. while Timbaland supplies the thumping beats. It’s as slick as ever and a fine example of R’n’B/hip hop at its mainstream best. Whether it can emulate the massive success of previous single Give It To Me featuring both Timberlake and Nelly Furtado remains to be seen – but as evidence of why Timbaland is one of the hottest acts in the music industry right now it’s pretty darn attention grabbing (not to mention dancefloor placing).
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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ARCHITECURE IN HELSINKI – HEART IT RACES: Another wonderful piece of oddness from Melbourne’s Architecture in Helsinki, Heart It Races is built around a compelling steel drum beat and an equally infectious pitter-pat beat. The layered “na na na na” vocals also guarantee a certain easy accessibility that’s difficult to get out of your head once you’ve heard it a couple of times. It’s a kooky but endearing record that could become a cult classic, given that it hasn’t really had the mainstream exposure it deserves (and could easily acquire). What’s more, the striking but totally surreal video is also worth catching, having been shot in Mexico by director Kris Moyes and featuring the various band members in all manner of strange, even disturbing, outfits. It’s another track that will put a smile on your face.
Rating: 4 out of 5
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND – WALK AWAY: Given its impressive production credentials (from Gil Norton of Foo Fighters and The Pixies fame), Walk Away ought to be a great deal better than it really is. As the second single to come from the band’s smash hit Tales Don’t Tell Themselves LP, it’s a fairly generic rocker that’s packed with angst-ridden lyrics and average guitar riffs. The Welsh quintet appear to have gone for a more stadium-sized sound with much of the material on the new LP and while it seems to have gone down a storm with fans and newcomers, it hasn’t really impressed us much at all. In fact, we’d rather just walk away.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
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MANIC STREET PREACHERS – AUTUMNSONG: Following their hugely successful return to form with Your Love Is Not Enough Manic Street Preachers return with the second single to be lifted from their Send Away The Tigers LP in the form of Autumnsong. James Dean Bradfield’s vocals are as urgent and distinct as ever, while the song builds to a typically sweeping chorus. But this one sounds a lot more formulaic than the breath of fresh air that was their pairing with Nina Persson of The Cardigans and fails to leave as good an impression. That said, it’s released aross three formats featuring previously unreleased material including a cover of the 1986 McCarthy track Red Sleeping Beauty.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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KORN – EVOLUTION: Evolution is the first single to be taken from Korn’s keenly anticipated eighth studio album. Its described by Jonathan Davis as being “about us as a human race” given that – in their opinion: “We have not evolved since monkeys. Animals and humans are pretty much the same. Look at this war we’re fighting; we’re the bullies – same shit in the monkey world.” Emotive songwriting, for sure, and menacingly delivered amid a tidal wave of monster guitar riffs, pounding drums and Nine Inch Nails-style electronics. Vocally, it’s as pained, dark and despondent as the Korn crowd and Goth fans could possibly hope for, suggesting that the album will be similarly foreboding. For starters, this ticks all the right boxes for anyone who likes their rock music dark, edgy and in your face lyrically.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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DRAGONETTE – TAKE IT LIKE A MAN: Dragonette pride themselves on making sharp, sardonically witty pop songs – think Goldfrapp hanging out with their best friend Gwen Stefani at a Scissor Sisters party (it’s an apt description). Their latest Take It Like A Man is a sassy chunk of cool electronic pop that sounds like Gwen Stefani at her most playful (albeit with slightly more kitsch electronic melodies). It’s breezy enough to become quite infectious and washes over you quite pleasantly, while the accompanying video has had tongues wagging and 100,000 plays on YouTube alone within its first week because of the raunchy, suggestive nature of its porn-lite content. Dragonette are three quarters Canadian (Dan, Martina and Joel) and a quarter British (guitarist Will) and they’ve been playing shows and making friends across the UK since decamping here last year. If nothing else, they seem to be having fun and encouraging people to do the same with them.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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PINSTRIPE – INNOCENT: Pinstripe had the distinction of being handpicked by Michael Eavis to appear at this year’s Glastonbury and to all intents went down a bit of a storm. They cite Oasis and Muse as inspirations and certainly Innocent shares plenty in common with the latter band. The guitars are loud, sweeping and epic in scope, while the song itself builds to quite a euphoric finale. Just occasionally, Josh Thorner’s vocals sound a little like James’ Tim Booth’s. With this in mind, it’s worth keeping an eye on the band as they clearly have a keen ear for a strong melody and a rousing indie-pop tune. And that’s not bad for a foursome of 16 and 17-year-olds who have been playing together since meeting at a school in the south west of England a few years ago. They have since played more than 100 gigs across the country since their debut in 2005.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
PALLADIUM – HAPPY HOUR: Palladium formed last September and describe their sound as epic, joyful and ludicrous, bringing to mind acts like Pink Floyd, Gang Of Four, Fleetwood Mac (Tango In The Night era) and, erm, Toto. Certainly, in some of the melodies on Happy Hour, the Toto and Fleetwood influences become clear. It’s a happy track, packed with jangling guitars and falsetto style vocals but it fails to make quite the resounding impression they were probably hoping for. There’s nothing wrong with it and you’ll probably find your toes tapping along whenever it’s on the radio but it’ll probably pass from memory just as quickly. Palladium consist of Peter, Rufio, Fez and Rocky.
Rating: 3 out of 5
ZICO CHAIN – ANAEMIA: Zico Chain are three lads in their early 20s who have distilled the punk riffola of Motorhead, the druggy vision of Queens of the Stone Age and the musical skills of The White Stripes to create their own potent, hard-rocking sound – or so they claim. New single Anaemia is built on raw hooks and biting vocals that champion the long way to the top for the underdog. But for all of its loudness and brashness, it’s a pretty generic foot-stomper that’s lacking in anything to really mark it out from the bands it namechecks as inspirations. Certainly, Motorhead fans might rate the crunching riffs – but it’s that straightforward and, come the wailing at the end, quite pained.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
BRIAN HOUSTON – DAYS OF PEARLY SPENCER: Brian Houston is a young singer-songwriter from Belfast who is tipped for big things. However, as an indication of what he’s capable of this isn’t really anything special. A cover version of David McWilliams’ 1967 song, it’s an often revisited track that’s tailor-made for brooding guitars and deep, meaningful vocals. Houston provides both but doesn’t really add anything new to the song, which emerges as fairly run of the mill as a result. Slightly better is the bonus track Your Love Is, which actually provides a much better showcase of Houston’s folky style. But given it’s a B-side, it may be a little too hidden from anyone who hasn’t been impressed by the lead single.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY – GET THIS PARTY STARTED: Fresh from her much talked about set at this year’s Glastonbury, a rejuvenated Dame Shirley Bassey returns with yet another gutsy track from her Get The Party Started LP, which combines new recordings and new vocals with remixes from some of today’s contemporary producers. This title track was recently used as the soundtrack for Marks & Spencer’s most recent advertising campaign and finds Dame Shirley belting out a Pink pop classic in her own inimitable style. It’s a fun party starter that’s among the more cheesy on her album. But there’s no denying the breathless quality she lends to proceedings and the song’s sense of fun is infectious – even though it’s not one of the better tracks on the album (see the likes of Living Tree).
Rating: 3 out of 5
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MIKA – BIG GIRL (YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL): One of Britain’s most outlandish new stars, Mika, releases his next single Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) from his platinum debut album Life In Cartoon Motion. Already established as a live favourite, Big Girl is designed as a celebratory war cry to applaud size diversity as well as a cutting critique of the new Size Zero culture. It’s actually a shameless rip-off of Queen’s equally outrageous Fat Bottomed Girls with Mika sounding more like Freddy Mercury than ever before. It’s fun in a novelty kind of way and it’s great to get behind the message – but you do still tend to wonder how long it will be before the novelty wears off!
Rating: 3 out of 5
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JOSS STONE – TELL ME WHAT WE’RE GONNA DO NOW: UK soulstress Joss Stone releases Tell Me What We’re Gonna Do Now as the second single to be taken from her third album Introducing.. Joss Stone. The song is, like its PR suggests, “a sweet, dreamy hip-hop track with laidback beats” and some nice backing vocals, including a nice verse from Grammy winning rapper Common. There’s even traces of Motown in the chorus, that takes its cues from the likes of Aretha while simultaneously confirming Stone as a genuine vocal talent. The song is something of a return to form for her after some fairly indifferent soul ballads and a nicely chilled out accompaniment to the hotter summer weather.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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KEVIN MICHAEL feat LUPE FIASCO – WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING: Kevin Michael is the latest sensation to hit the hip hop/r’n’b community, courtesy of his smooth blend of soul, funk, r’n’b and pop. This taster offering, We All Want The Same Thing seamlessly blends some funky rhythms with soulful vocals and guest vocals from a certain Lupe Fiasco (himself a shaker and a mover). The opening track from his album, it’s a statement of purpose that roots for the artist who has lived in worlds both black and white. Lyrics include such gems as “all my gangster friends/ and all my skater friends, we all want the same thing, we all want the same DJs…” It’s a take-notice introduction to an artist who seems to ooze an effortless cool, right down to his outrageous Afro hairdo. Keen an eye on Phildelphia’s Kevin Michael cos he seems poised to make a big splash on the R’n’B scene.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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THE HEAVY – THAT KIND OF MAN: Welcome to The Heavy, the self confessed kings of a (west) country voodoo soul that mixes and matches Curtis Mayfield, Rza and HP Lovecraft with the ballsy guitar rock of Led Zeppelin and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. That Kind Of Man is a furiously hip soul stomper that funkily blends wall to wall guitar riffs with snappy horn riffs and some remarkably old school soul vocals. It’s an effortlessly cool floor-filler that recalls the snappy cool of a bygone soul era, dropping it with breathless energy. It’s clear these boys mean to impress. The Heavy will shortly released their debut album Great Vengeance & Furious Fire in due course and this first single is an excellent appetiser. You’ll want to hear more.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
THE DODGEMS – YOU’RE NOT WHAT YOU USED TO BE: Sheffield noise riots The Dodgems release another sensory assault in the form of the ballsy, punk-heavy You’re Not What You Used To Be. It’s a frenetic offering driven by frontman Phil Goodwin’s roaring guitar and brother Tom’s organ lines. For all of its energy and enthusiasm, though, it’s destined to become more of a live favourite than anything you’d happily put on the stereo. For moshpit revellers, it’s a riot. For those with slightly more tender sensibilities, it’s a riot of noise – ok in small doses, but best brought out in limited doses.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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