Music - Singles of the Week - Monday, July 26, 2010
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: VIOLENT SOHO – JESUS STOLE MY GIRLFRIEND: Brisbane, Australia’s Violent Soho display their passion for gigantic four-chord chainsaw rock songs with the release of incendiary new single Jesus Stole My Girlfriend. An angry, but wittily written lament about a lost relationship, it boasts blistering riffs, a kick-ass chorus and some great lyricism to underline this band’s credentials as a really promising new rock act. There’s a distinctly grungy vibe to proceedings, too, that wouldn’t sound out of place in Seattle… but there’s also a slacker quality about some of the vocal delivery, especially during the sublimely dark chorus. If you’re feeling in any way dejected about religion, love, or both, then this is a reactionary slice of song-writing that screams out to be played loud and indulged in. Ironically, Violent Soho – aka Luke Boerdam (vocals/guitar), James Tidswell (vocals/guitar), Luke Henery (bass) and Michael Richards (drums) – met playing in the Pentecostal church band of their home-town. So, while God may well frown at the lyrics, the church’s loss is certainly rock’s gain!
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
SINGLE OF THE WEEK 2: HAIGHT-ASHBURY – FREEMAN TOWN: Glasgow-based psychedelic three-piece Haight-Ashbury have been described as a cross between Fleetwood Mac and Jesus & Mary Chain and it’s easy to see why. New single Freeman Town contains elements of both and is an excellent introduction to them, which drops some psychedelic guitar riffs over some dreamy, laidback female vocals. It’s a little shoe-gaze, a little strung out, but highly appealing and fully underlines their psychedelic folk rock credentials. Million Man March is, quite possibly, even better… freshening up the sound with some vibrant folk harmonising and some really sweet vocals. It’s breezy enough to have your head nodding along in appreciation, whilst also dropping some heavier, Jesus & Mary Chain style guitar riffs every so often. Rounding off the EP, Don’t Let The Music Die is another little gem that really underlines their quality. Haight-Ashbury are brother/sister/best friend Kirtsy (bass/vocals) and Scott (guitar/sitar/cigar box guitar) and Jen (standing up drums/vocals) and they’re really rather brilliant!
Released as a digital download
Rating: 4 out of 5
SINGLE OF THE WEEK 3: AM – SELF PRESERVATION: AM – born in Tulsa, raised in New Orleans and currently making a home in the artsy Eastside Los Angeles neighbourhood of Silverlake and Echo Park – is set to release Future Sons & Daughters in the UK on August 30. At times sounding like Jim James of My Morning Jacket singing his way through Beck’s lost album between Mutations and Midnite Vultures, the record brings together the best of musical worlds, rippling through classic roots sounds: AM pop and rock, steamy soul and R&B, Brazilian tropicalia, British Invasion, and ‘60s Bay Area psychedelia. His debut UK single Self Preservation reminds us that we still live in a world which focuses on the survival of the fittest, only now, it’s in a more subdued way. Taken from the forthcoming album, it showcases the political and cultural commentary of AM’s lyrics as they melt into West Coast, sunshine melodies, boasting lyrics such as: “It’s hard to turn this around / But like the leaves change / We just have to rearrange / In order to survive”. The central guitar riff is particularly memorable, as is the emphatic back-beat, while AM’s vocals provide a terrifically laidback and Beck-like backdrop. This guy should be going places and we can’t wait to hear the rest of the album!
Released as a download
Rating: 4 out of 5
KATIE MELUA – A HAPPY PLACE: All credit to Katie Melua… anyone who dismissed her as a one trick pony has had to re-evaluate that position off the back of the release of her latest album, The House which – in adopting a new style – has helped to garner some of the best reviews of her phenomenally successful career to date. It’s richly deserved, as The House is filled with great songs. A Happy Place, the latest single, is further evidence of this new direction – an alt-pop offering that finds the singer expressing her dismay at the overwhelming pressures of 21st Century life over striking strings, synths and military-style percussion. It was co-written by Katie and Guy Chambers and finds Melua stretching her voice into interesting new directions, complete with some lovely harmonising that embellishes the song with the happy elements hinted at in the song’s title. The House has shot to the top spot of the Billboard pan-European album chart, and is another big success. If you don’t already own it already, then now’s the time to remedy that.
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA feat PHARRELL WILLIAMS – ONE: Already one of the year’s biggest club tunes, Swedish House Mafia finally get around to releasing the anthemic floor-filler One (Your Name), featuring vocals from Pharrell Williams. Admittedly, the track is heavy on the Ibiza style elements that I’ve come to know and loathe… but there’s something a little more besides to help lend it crossover appeal. The synths are supported and augmented by some smart beats, an almost cinematic (Michael Bay-esque) cinematic quality, and some smart vocals from Mr Williams. The various breakdowns and changes in tempo also help to give it a greater sense of identity than a lot of tracks occupying the same scene. Remixes galore come from the likes of Caspa and Netsky, but the original formats remain the best and, as such, arrive with the major support of Zane Lowe, Pete Tong and Annie Mac, who have all championed it over recent months. One will also will feature on a highly anticipated album, which compiles highlights of each Mafia member’s solo work to date. Released later this summer, the LP will also be packaged with a DVD that documents the highlights of their world-wide touring. The documentary was directed by Christian Larson, who has worked with Jonas Åkerlund on high profile acts including Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez.
Released across all formats
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
TOM JONES – DID TROUBLE ME/DON’T KNOCK: So much has been written now about the furore surrounding Tom Jones’ new album, Praise & Blame that it’s certain to rate as one of the year’s biggest musical talking points. So far, it’s all good, in our opinion. Former singles What Good Am I and Burning Hell were great cover versions of, respectively, Dylan and John Lee Hooker that showed Jones could have a self-confessed “Johnny Cash” moment and succeed. And new single release, Did Trouble Me and Don’t Knock maintain the momentum ahead of the same day release of the much-talked about LP. Did Trouble Me, in particular, sets a reflective, contemplative, stripped back Jones vocal over some delicious banjo licks that are truly inspired. Needless to say, it rates as one of the LP’s standout tracks. Don’t Knock, meanwhile, showcases the gutsier, more rock-driven side to the LP and allows Jones to unleash those unmistakeably vibrant vocals over some rollicking, foot-stomping guitar licks and a gospel backing. It’s a classy double A-side that suggests the doubters could be about to get some egg on their faces!
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
TRAVIE MCCOY feat BRUNO MARS – BILLIONAIRE: Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy is set to release his debut solo album Lazarus on August 9 and now serves up a first taster in the form of the Bruno Mars collaboration Billionaire. The track is a fun, breezy mix of acoustic pop and rap that sets two contrasting vocal styles against each other in endearing style. Early on, the track starts out as the type of offering that Jack Johnson or Jason Mraz might serve up, before McCoy drops some incendiary vocals to remind us of his Gym Class background. The ensuing track fuses acoustic pop with some hip-pop beats and even some traces of ska to set up a summer anthem that’s well worth getting down with. The X-rated vocals and cute social/celebrity observations are also fun, suggesting that the same personality that McCoy brings to his Gym Class endeavours will also be present and correct on Lazarus.
Released across all formats
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
AMY MACDONALD – THIS PRETTY FACE: Amy Macdonald delivers a breezy rant against beauty with her latest offering from A Curious Thing… the new single This Pretty Face. One of many album highlights, it’s an honest lament at the superficiality of beauty that includes some telling guitar contributions from a certain Mr Paul Weller. Lyrically, it’s very astute, with lyrics such as “what happened to achievement” and “what happened to the notion that beauty is in the eye of the beholder”? It’s an empowering listen in many ways, casting aside the superficiality of looking only skin deep, and putting a good case forward for being true to yourself and your talent. Macdonald’s sophomore LP has had its detractors, but this latest single is ample evidence of why she’s still doing well in our opinion.
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
MARINA & THE DIAMONDS – OH NO!: Another of the highlights to emerge from Marina & The Diamonds’ debut album, The Family Jewels is new single Oh No!, which underlines her position as one of the best new pop acts of the year. The track adopts the same steadfastly non-conformist attitude to the mainstream pop scene that marks so much of Marina’s material, adding a further hip/hop element by virtue of its kick-ass back beat and an unashamedly cheesy ’80s kind of vibe. But it’s a statement of intent, as Marina eschews the need for romance, love, money and insists: “I just want to make a change.” We’d encourage her to keep doing so, too, as this kind of song-writing offers a much needed shot in the arm to a lot of the chart fodder out there. Long may she continue!
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
ANDREYA TRIANA – A TOWN CALLED OBSOLETE: Andreya Triana returns with the last single before the release of her debut album, Lost Where I Belong in the form of the sultry A Town Called Obsolete. An obliquely upbeat and heartfelt plea for patience and faith in the face of indifference, the track sets Bonobo collaborator Triana’s smokily sensual vocals over some dusty break-drumming, thrumming electric bass and a horn part that builds to some nice peaks. The instrumentals in question are provided by Bonobo and add the same style and hipness that accompanies one of his own productions – with the horn embellishments a particularly effective addition to the package. Remix duties are taken care of by the hotly-tipped Mount Kimbie. Label-mates of Joy Orbison on Hotflush Records, the duo string Andreya’s backing vocals over melancholy pads to add a really melancholy vibe. It’s not quite as satisfying. The package is rounded out by a live recording of Andreya performing A Town Called Obsolete at the World-wide radio show awards ceremony. Her band on the night featured Bonobo on bass and Fink on guitar!
Released as a digital download
Rating: 4 out of 5
PLAN B – PRAYIN’: The third single to be taken from the already platinum-selling album The Defamation Of Strickland Banks, Prayin’ is Plan B – aka Ben Drew – in full testifying soul preacher mode, delivering a sharply double-edged song that works perfectly as both uplifting gospel-driven Northern soul anthem and starkly bleak prison yard lament. It’s further evidence of the amazing transformation on this artist from former rapper to deeply accomplished soul singer (with Mark Ronson-style backing elements). The cinematic nature of the storytelling is reflected in the new video, which marks the latest visual instalment of his fictional Strickland Banks stardom-to-Solitary saga, directed in cinematic style, as are all his videos, by Daniel Wolf. Beautifully filmic, Ben gets to show off his acting talents as well as the obvious music ones in a song that screams out for visual accompaniment. If you think the hype is unjustified, then try checking out the album. It really is as good as people are saying… and this song is ample proof of why.
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
DINOSAUR PILE-UP – BIRDS AND PLANES: Leeds trio Dinosaur Pile-Up unleash their new single Birds And Planes from their forthcoming album Growing Pains (due in September). Unashamedly heavy, the single is a powerhouse rock offering that also manages to display some melody during its loud chorus. Needless to say, Dinosaur Pile-Up are the type of act to get Kerrang! readers and writers in an excited frenzy, but while there’s certainly a retro-leaning Nirvana vibe in some of their song-writing, it’s not really doing enough at this stage to create its own sense of identity. The wailing that seems almost obligatory as the track reaches its OTT finale is also a bit of a turn-off, particularly to our sensitive ears!
Released as a digital download and limited edition 7” vinyl
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
BEAR DRIVER – WOLVES: Psychedelic six-piece Bear Driver hail from Leeds and share plenty in common with the likes of Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene, with whom they’ve favourably been compared. New single Wolves is a fine opportunity to become acquainted with them. Instantly infectious, Wolves screams youthful exuberance and vitality, courtesy of some fine melodies and a nicely layered set of vocals. Bear Driver’s unique take on the alt-rock genre transcends the generic indie tag so often pinned to a guitar based act to form a jagged and playful pop song… and one where mandolins, accordions and three part harmonies are to be found in abundance. Instrumentally warm and upbeat, the vocals provide a fine accompaniment, while the chorus is the type which gets under your skin and refuses to budge after a couple of listens. It’s backed by the slightly more sombre Long Lost Giants, which drops a tremendously laidback beat into the mix and an appealing blend of boy-girl vocals. All in all, Bear Driver have announced their arrival in fine style.
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
YOUNG GUNS – CRYSTAL CLEAR: Hotly tipped rockers Young Guns, from High Wycombe, release the latest offering from their debut album All Our Kings Are Dead in the form of the brash Crystal Clear. It’s a loud, riff-laden, drum-heavy call up to a disillusioned youth that pretty much encapsulates the stock Young Guns sound. Or, as frontman Gustav Woods explains: “Crystal Clear is about growing up and realising that things aren’t delivered to you on a plate. But that in the face of disappointment and disillusionment holding your head up high is something in itself to be proud of. Against all odds, I’ve managed to end up being a part of something special that really matters to me, and it has shown me the value of direction and the importance of working towards something.” It’s an admirable sentiment, particularly for anyone feeling a sense of self-entitlement, but it could also do with being a little more refreshed and different from the rock norm. But then that’s the biggest problem with a lot of Young Guns’ songs – they aspire to greatness without sounding great, or even particularly different.
Released across all formats
Rating: 2 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
STEPHEN DALE PETIT – CALIFORNIA: New Blues rock pioneer Stephen Dale Petit limbers up for the release of his almighty new album The Crace (today) with the release of its lead single, California, a rousing cover of 2Pac/Dr Dre collaboration California Love, that takes the funky elements of that hip hop/pop crossover and adds some blues rock flourishes. It’s clear that Petit is kicking back and having fun, infusing the track with a tremendous sense of energy and some blistering guitar solos in between the emphatic central riff and the soaring strings. Vocally, it’s also enlivened by Petit (at his gutsy best) and a backing chorus that adds some sassy soul. If anything, this rock veteran has made the track seem and sound even more fresh and vibrant than the original. It’s an excellent taster of what to expect from the remainder of the album.
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
KYTE – DESIGNED FOR DAMAGE: Leicestershire four-piece Kyte release the single Designed For Damage from their acclaimed debut album Dead Waves. It’s the follow-up to ihnfsa, which attracted strong support at radio from Huw Stephens, Rob Da Bank, Steve Lamacq and Eddy Temple Morris. Designed For Damage is – like its PR suggests – an epic, cinematic statement of intent, showcasing Kyte’s ever-atmospheric, dreamy sound-scapes together with powerhouse drumming. It’s reminiscent of Doves and has a really nice electronic, even ethereal quality, about it. Vocalist Nick Moon provides a contrast to the musical uplift; singing of a twisted love story, culminating in a horrific crime occurring between the two protagonists. The track is backed with three new non-album tracks in one EP set, and a second EP featuring remixes from the ever-cool Pacific!, Singaporean Trance DJ Effen and the band’s Cassette Culture side project. Of the new tracks, I’ll Follow Dreams For You is, again, dream-like and understated (but in a good way, complete with glockenspiel beats), while The Lost Blood emerges from its sparse electronic opening to drop a vaguely ‘80s sounding hybrid of early Depeche Mode and OMD. Memories, meanwhile, rounds things off in similarly slow-building, ethereal fashion, and is just as satisfying. Kyte really do have a lot going for them.
Released as a digital download
Rating: 4 out of 5
BLACK MOUNTAIN – OLD FANGS: Black Mountain release Old Fangs from their forthcoming third album, Wilderness Heart, which is due for release this coming September. Available as a free download, the track drops a raw, meaty guitar riff with some cool organ flashes and a moody boy-girl vocal. It’s actually full of layering and a sense of rock brooding that make it strangely appealing – the type of offering that could easily end up on the soundtrack to the next Twilight movie if Black Mountain became a little more fashionable and well-known. Still, if you fancy a ride into the darker side of rock, without getting too heavy, then this is a worthwhile song to check out or download.
Released as a digital download
Rating: 3 out of 5
RIO – MR UNPREDICTABLE: WIDELY tipped to be the next big thing in urban music to break from the North-West (in his case, Moss Side, Manchester), rapper Rio drops his second single, Mr Unpredictable. Sadly, it’s not as good as his well received debut, Narrow Roads. Rather, by placing more emphasis on his urban vocals and stripping back the instrumentation to some bleeps, blips and odd drum ‘n’ bass leaning beats, it’s more of a genre record and has less crossover appeal. In terms of lyrics, Rio at least suggests he’s not one to be pigeon-holed, and has fun finding ways to underline his unpredictability. But unless you’re plugged into the urban scene and follow Dizzee Rascal and co, this has limited appeal.
Released as a digital download
Rating: 2 out of 5
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