01 August 2008

Various – My Drive Thru
Julian Casablancas, Santogold and Pharrell colocate at the behest of shady meganational footwear conglomerates to 'celebrate' the 100th anniversary of Converse in a jamboree of corporate rutting. It would be enough to make your reviewer defect if the song wasn't so damn GOOD. Honestly, for what has all the hallmarks of a filthy capitalist reach-around, it really is something else.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds – Midnight Man
Nick Cave is a chink in our otherwise impervious critical armour. We just don't like him much. Sorry. Anyway, this is very much more of the same – turgid, meandering blues-goth of very little fibre.

McFly – One For The Radio
Now, sir, you are talking. Like almost every single from McFly, this is a pop punk masterpiece. It deviates not a jot from the template – it's just good, honest melody. Appreciate it for what it is, you buggers.

The Satin Peaches – Emma
Glam like suede, but without as much craft, this passes the trial by NN to sit prettily on the 'will do' pile.

Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip – Letter From God To Man
Bold, guys: rapping over 'Planet Telex' [Radiohead], however you distort it, is likely to piss a couple of people off. Especially, that is, if you are going to have a go at rapping about religion. It's good though.

The Little Ones – Morning Tide
Uncommonly for the work of a contemporary American indie band, this single has a bit about it, in its chirpy old way.

Oh Laura – Release Me
Easy listening; we could dissect this and waste a lot of digital ink explaining why smokey-voiced women with guitars are so very objectionable – 'review' it, if you will – but that really would be throwing good money after bad. Just don't buy the record.

Plump DJs – Snake Eyes
The 90s called, etc.

Carla Bruni – L'Amoureuse
Arms...something about eating honey...trees...flowers...autumn...teeth...snow...mirages...someone waited for me, I think...I am the lover, I am the lover...all the things...I am YOUR lover...the only one of all the things... mmm...mmm... mmm ...mmm...I am the lover... I am your lover. (Great review there Tom - Sceptical Ed)

1) Who knew A Level French would have such diverse applications?
2) Carla Bruni is probably just as rubbish if you understand what she means.

Pendulum – The Other Side
Daft, harmless and a little bit gormless; basically, this is no 'Propane Nightmares', and we feel a bit short changed.

Levellers – Before The End
You wouldn't expect a Levellers record, especially not one made by old men, to be any god, would you? Well, you'd be right.