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Reviews by Paul White, Jack Foley & Simon Pinion
INDIELONDON is proud to present its rundown of the singles we have been listening
to over recent weeks, complete with release dates, our verdict, and a link
to buy them (just click on the record cover).
MONDAY, JUNE 24
ROB
DOUGAN - CLUBBED 2 DEATH:
Originally released in 1995 on James Lavelle's Mo Wax label, Rob Dougan's
genre-defying classical breakbeat masterpiece gets another outing, having
been used as the backdrop for countless adverts, movies (including The Matrix)
and news/sport montages. The track is both moody and uplifting, featuring
that infamous beat and some terrific piano rifts to create a truly memorable
dancefloor classic - the type of which wouldn't sound out of place in any
club. Re-released on Rollo's Cheeky Records label, the CD features a Hybrid
remix (edit) and the La Funk Mob variation. It is indielondon's single of
the week.
MORCHEEBA
- OTHERWISE:
Impossible to ignore, Morcheeba continue to define the sound of chillout.
If the Big Calm was the band at its most moody and serene, Fragments of Freedom
was them at their most chirpy. Otherwise, the first single to be taken from
the upcoming Charango album, manages to combine the sound of both, while still
sounding fresh and exciting. It is an intoxicating mix of fragile, hip-hop
influenced beats, drum and bass loops, and sultry Skye Edwards vocals. Think
of Lamb and you're close; but it's impossible not to be seduced by Edwards'
voice.
THE
SHINING: I WONDER HOW:
Comprised of former Verve members Simon Jones and Simon Tong, as well as Duncan
Baxter, Dan McBean and Mark Heaney, The Shining continue to win acclaim with
their second single, the wonderfully moody rock anthem, I Wonder How. Featuring
some terrific instrumentals, a chant-a-long chorus and some great vocals,
this is better than the band's debut and a really catchy number which manages
to evoke memories of early Verve classics. CD features bonus tracks, Prove
Love & I Got A Feeling.
MONDAY, JUNE 17
OASIS
- STOP CRYING YOUR HEART OUT:
Oasis follow up the superb Hindu Times with another belter of a single,
the type of which harks back to the supergroup's glory days of Wonderwall
and Champagne Supernova. Stop Crying Your Heart Out is the Gallaghers at their
absolute best; a soulful, almost mournful, rock ballad featuring some sublime
Liam vocals, that unmistakeably Beatles sound and some really great guitar
work. If this is the level of quality contained on the forthcoming album,
Heathen Chemistry, then surely Oasis can look forward to featuring in the
top albums of the year list once again. The doubters should surely be silenced
now. Our single of the week.
MUSE
- IN YOUR WORLD/DEAD STAR:
I have to confess something. Muse, a rock act from the UK, have so far failed
to impress me; but this double-A sided single really made me sit up and take
notice. Dead Star is fairly typical of what to expect, but the gutsy In Your
World is a real classic; featuring that trademark Muse piano opening and some
truly rip-roaring guitars which help to make the chorus vaguely reminiscent
of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit (feel free to object!). Produced by John
Cornfield, the single screams out to be played loud and only narrowly misses
out on our single of the week tip. But another one for the shopping basket,
to be sure.
FROU,
FROU - BREATHE IN:
Consisting of songwriter/producer Guy Sigsworth and singer/songwriter Imogen
Heap, Frou, Frou have produced one of the chill-out singles of the year to
make their debut. Breathe In is a beautiful mix of haunting beats and serene
vocals which manage to combine the sound of chill out masters Morcheeba with,
curiously, the vocal range of Dido. The single features remixes from the Watkins
(of house anthem 'Black AM') and jump up drum & bass hero Aphrodite. Expect
this duo to achieve greatness shortly.
ATHLETE
- YOU GOT THE STYLE:
Another of the UK's rapidly emerging bands, Athlete made a good impression
with their little-known debut single, Westside,
and look set to follow it up with another in the same mould - only this time,
one which will bring them the recognition they deserve. You Got The Style
is chirpy, up-beat and hopelessly sing-a-long - the type of track which simply
makes you feel good while listening to it. Simple but effective, this is a
band to look out for in the future. Radio stations seem to have cottoned on.
The CD features a bonus track, plus a remix of You Got The Style.
BASEMENT
JAXX - GET ME OFF:
Basement Jaxx are on a roll at the moment, sweeping all before them in the
dance stakes. Their critically-acclaimed second album, Rooty, has won Brit
and NME awards and produced three top 10 singles, while their latest, Get
Me Off, looks set to continue the trend and cement a growing reputation as
a dance act with gusto. Get Me Off can best be described as a funky, dirty
(even sleazy) dancefloor filler, capable of appealing to all types of clubbers.
The single itself features the Jaxx 2002 remix, as well as bonus tracks Do
Your Thing (Jaxx Club Remixx) and Broken Dreams (Los Amigos Invisibles Mix).
Destined to become one of this summer's dance anthems.
(This week's reviews compled by Jack Foley)
MONDAY, JUNE 10
ELVIS
PRESLEY VERSUS JXL - A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION:
Undoubtedly the track of the summer, this effortlessly cool remix of an Elvis
Presley classic (the original features on the Ocean's
Eleven soundtrack) works on so many levels; and not just the feelgood
factor. Beat-laden, dance-friendly and capable of putting a smile on anyone's
face, this also has the ability to make almost any bloke want to pick up a
football and perform some ball-juggling skills with the memory of that Nike
(Scorpion football) advert playing fondly in the mind. Pure, unadulterated
fun and a winning commercial mix, expect this to be absolutely massive. CD
features a 12" remix plus the Elvis original to keep fans happy. Needless
to say, it's our single of the week...
PAUL
OAKENFOLD - SOUTHERN SUN/READY, STEADY GO:
The type of track which harks back to a bygone era, while mixing in elements
of the trademark Oakenfold sold which was so evident on last year's Swordfish
soundtrack, this double-A side is another of this summer's big beat classics
and a sure dancefloor filler. Ready, Steady Go, in particular, eschews all
the virtues of classic dancefllor filler, with its aggressive mix of attitude-laden
vocals and big beats, while Southern Sun is one to chill out to the morning
after the night before. Oakenfold fans will not be disappointed.
BADLY DRAWN BOY - SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT:
Laid back, chirpy and a worthy follow-up to Silent Sigh, Badly Dawn Boy's
latest to be taken from the About A Boy soundtrack is yet another example
of why this artist is so highly regarded within music industry circles. Expertly
written and so well put together, this is the type of track which has you
singing along to it in spite of yourself; with excellent melodies and a winning
chorus. While not quite as good as Silent Sigh, this works well as another
feelgood piece of music and comes as a nice contrast to the big beat, dancefloor-orientated
sounds of JXL and Oakenfold which are also doing the rounds this week. CD1
features the original version of the track, plus remixes by Four Tet and Misty
Dixon, while CD2
contains a brand new track, My Name's Not Down, plus the Electric Bedroom
version of Above You, Below Me. (NB, click on CD2 to order it...)
CHAD
KROEGER FEATURING JOSEY SCOTT - HERO:
Spiderman the movie is released
on Friday (June 14) so it is little wonder that one of the soundtrack's big
rock numbers gets a virtually simultaneous airing. Chad Kroeger is better
known as frontman and main songwriter for Nickelback and his vocal range is
unmistakeable, particularly during Hero's gutsy chorus, while the track also
features guest vocals from Saliva's Josey Scott. That said, and as enjoyable
as the song occasionally feels (particularly when played in tandem with memories
of the film), this sounds and feels like a soundtrack-filler and will probably
drift from memory once all the hype surrounding the movie dies down.
(This week's reviews compled by Jack Foley)
MONDAY, JUNE 3
JIMMY
EAT WORLD - SWEETNESS:
Hailed in certain quarters as 'the hottest band of 2002', Jimmy Eat World
continue to churn out upbeat, American-influenced rock numbers in the same
mould as Sum 41 and Blink 182. Undeniably infectious but very much the same
as many a punky-pop rocker, this should appeal to the current crop of chart-friendly
rock numbers and bring the band the success for which they have been tipped.
Whether they will set the world on fire, however, remains to be seen. Fun,
instantly forgettable and very little staying power. The jury remains out
on Jimmy Eat World for now..
GOMEZ
- SOUND OF SOUNDS:
Gomez are one of those bands who delight and frustrate me in equal measure.
When they first arrived, they forced you to sit up and take notice with tracks
such as Whippin Piccadilly, while last year's Machismo was a bit of a belter.
Since then, however, I have been left decidedly underwhelmed. Ping One Down,
from the latest album, failed to impress; while Sound of Sounds, the follow-up,
does very little for me. It's well put together, melodic, clappy (even), and
unquestionably Gomez, but I can take it or leave it. Must do better if they
are to realise that early potential...
NO
DOUBT - HELLA GOOD:
Having spent years in the musical wilderness, No Doubt blasted back onto
the music scene (both here and in the States) with the really feelgood 'Hey
Baby' and now follow that chart-buster up with Hella Good, another funky little
number. Easily as catchy as 'Hey Baby', but sounding quite different, it manages
to combine an 80s rock feel with some distinctive electronica influences;
all geared towards bringing out the best in Gwen Stefani's attitude-laden
vocals. This is one that will suit any party, so expect it to be heard in
a number of clubs this summer. There's No Doubt this will be a huge hit for
the band. Single includes a Roger Sanchez remix of Hella Good, the video of
the single as well as an Outkast version of 'Hey Baby'.
PUDDLE
OF MUD - BLURRY: ENHANCED:
Already massive in America, Puddle of Mud arrive in the UK with expectations
high and - on the strength of this - look set to deliver. Another massive
anthemic rock track reminiscent of the likes of Nickelback, Puddle of Mud's
Blurry is a glorious slow-builder, the type of which also harks back to early
Pearl Jam. Typical of all that is good about the resurgence of rock music,
this also benefits from having that distinctly American big band feel. Surely
bound for the top 10, despite going up against every England World Cup single
under the sun!
ALPINESTARS feat Brian Molko - CARBON KID:
Now here's one to drool over. Without question, this is indielondon's single
of the week, and a contender for one of the singles of the year. Alpinestars
have been attracting our ears for some time (with the likes of 2001's Interlaken
and the more recent Snow Patrol), and they continue to go from strength to
strength with their latest, Carbon Kid, featuring the vocals of Placebo's
Brian Molko. At times aggressive, at others hypnotic, and with plenty going
on, this is destined to become an all-time classic, up there with the likes
of Lo-Fidelity Allstars Battleflag. Breathtaking. Click here
to order...
(Reviews compiled by Jack Foley)
Click here to see May's
singles of the month...
Click here to see April's
singles of the month...