05 July 2008

Due to the immenant break down of various electrical items (we rely on technology far too much...) you're in for a bumper treat this week! Find below two weeks worth of singles. Any good? Well, so so..

Fight Like Apes - Lend Me Your Face
If you like it loud, snotty and fast then Fight Like Apes are for you. Packing short, abrasive hardcore punk songs with a feisty femme fatale on vocals and with enough distortion and concusive electro influences to floor even the most hardened of men; this, in short, is fucking amazing.

SugaRush - Beat Company
Multi-cultural and diverse as they come, the new single from SugaRush meshes soul, funk and techno beats into a stunning and bold musical experiment. Overcast by fantastic vocals, 'Beat Company' will have you dancing all night long.

Barringtone - Snakes In The Grass
Leaping straight from the mind of twisted electro genius Barry Dobbin, Barringtone are an unhealthy mashing of electro pop, noise rock and 70's-era Prog; with latest outing 'Snakes In The Grass' standing as a sense assaulting barrage of oddly appealing aural obscenity that's as pleasing as it is maddening.

Beck - Chemtrails
Over the years, Beck has gained a reputation for pushing boundaries and taking his sound in as many different directions as imaginatively possible. With 'Chemtrails', the first sample from his up-coming, as-yet-untitled album standing as a fine addition to his lengthy back catalogue. Filled with mournful vocals, energetic drums, honed with his genius songwriting, Beck further proves why he is so vital to modern music.

Edgar Prais - Pop Song No.93/Jaimie
Scottish trio Edgar Prais's attempt at The Killers-esque electro rock holds certain promise, but the rough production values and shoddy vocals harbour an otherwise excellent debut outing for the Aberdeen natives.

Eliza Doolittle - Piano Song
Nineteen-year-old Eliza Doolittle's musical opening statement to the world couldn't be more poignant without including samples of her own tears. Sporting a heady blend of r'n'b with folk influences, 'Piano Song' is a beautiful, heart-warming track that delivers on all fronts and fails to disappoint.

Elliot Minor - Time After Time Single
The thing about pop punk bed-wetters Elliot Minor is, you want to hate them. But given the true craftsmanship behind their symphonically-tinged pop rock, it becomes difficult. While vocalist Alex Davies's nasal croonings are painful, musically the band remain strong; marking 'Time After Time' as a half-great, half-appalling fifth single.

Estelle - No Substitute Love
Someone needs to give Estelle a slap. Not content with polluting the charts with her own half-hearted, radio friendly hip-hop tunes; she's gone so far as to rip off two tracks at once! Half Pint's 'Substitute Lover' and George Michael's 'Faith', resulting in a headache-inducing, mind numbing pop desecration of two formally great songs. Fucking awful.

I Was A Cub Scout - The Hunter Daughter 
Synth indie duo I Was A Cub Scout have made quite a name for themselves over the last year or so, god knows why. The band's new single 'The Hunters Daughter', is little more than a lightweight stab at Cure-esque pop, acting as a sad reminder that when the scene dies, bands like this will (thankfully) vanish into obscurity.

Jay Reatard - Always Wanting More
Touted as "The Angriest Man In Garage Rock", US-born songwriter Jay Reatard combines his love of Stooges-era aggression with a yearning for experimentation in order to create a mind-mashing and refreshing approach to a tried and tested formula, leaving this minute taster of his debut outing '7 6"singles' a must for true fans of the genre.

Jesse Malin - Russian Roulette
Covers songs are tricky by nature. On one hand, they could be an interesting medium for an exceptional artist to display their influences and pay homage to their masters, or they could be flimsy cash in's by flailing musicians on the way out. The latest outing from former hardcore vocalist Jesse Malin is easily the former. An energetic mashing of electro pop and indie, his homages are both poignant and touching, destined to leave a smile smeared firmly across your face.

Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning
Fancy a slab of upbeat pop-rock? New opus from Ladyhawke 'Paris Is Burning' could be just up your alley. Wielding huge chorus's, unique instrumentation and brilliant lyrics; the result is a timeless musical endevour and an excellent second outing from the budding Aussie.

Liam Finn - Second Chance
London-born musician Liam Finn opitimises the term DIY. From producing his own tracks to creating his artwork, the electro-rocker covers all angles. Same can be said for his music, boasting lilting guitars with uplifiting vocals and a penchant for amazing choruses, the result is music you'd need to be deaf not to enjoy.

Look See Proof - Discussions
Tearing out of the stereo like a speeding bullet, 'Discussions' from Indie rockers Look See Proof is full of everything the budding fan could want; energy, melody and power. If this doesn't get your party started, it's best to send the guests home, as it doesn't get much better than this.

Metronomy - Holiday
An ungodly blend of tripped-out moogs and clearly rooted firmly in the experimentation of 70's prog, 'Holiday' the latest outing from Metronomy is a ludicrous and extravagant form of art rock that will leave the head spinning of even the most hardened muso.

Oh Laura - Release Me
From the first note to the very last, 'Release Me' could easily rate as one of the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful releases to see the light of day in many a year. Rife with taut vocals, tear-inducing lyrics and masterful songwriting, you'd simply need to be absent of a heart and soul not to be touched by this.

Paul Heaton - Mermaids And Slaves
Paul Heaton's 'Mermaids And Slaves' could probably win an award as "the happiest song in the last decade". Complete with pristine production, excellent vocals and huge choruses; Heaton's bouncy country rock is the perfect accompaniment to a beautiful summer evening.

Popular Workshop - Popsong
Popular Workshop's latest single is pretty much what it says on the tin; four minutes of luscious Britpop, filled with excellent instrumentation, solid vocals and chorus's that will have kids the world over bouncing and dancing their asses off.

Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today
Pop rockers Port O'Brien's upbeat pop drivel, while catchy as chlamydia in a brothel, simply serves as a series of re-hashed ideas re-incarnated for the umpteenth time by more eager young folk without a clue who should've been taught better by their parents.

Portishead - The Rip
Given the reputation Portishead have amased, it's hard to be surprised at the presense of the odd curveball. In this case, said ball is new single 'The Rip'. Roughly played and at times running the risk of caving in on itself, this sample of atmospheric gothic rock stands as a relatively good outing from the Bristol trio; but given the bands reputation, you can't help but feel it could've been a lot more.

Rose Kemp - Nanny's World
The problem with "radio edit" versions of songs is, they're usually devoid of the interesting stuff that makes the real thing so pleasing. Such is the way with Rose Kemp's 'Nanny's World'. While the moments of crushing hard rock are excellent, the lulls made of up Kemp's forced vocals and minor guitar work leave the impression that the bigger picture is visibly missing. Aren't labels great?

Satellite State - Plans
Caught somewhere between U2 and Coldplay, rising Brit rockers Satellite State step firmly away from the bludgeoning Indie scene and offer instead a slab of heartfelt alt-rock. Complete with soaring choruses and touching melodies; it's an irresistable start to what should be a very prosperous career.

The Dodo's - Red and Purple
Hacked to bits by record execs, new single from The Dodo's 'Red And Purple', a 4-minute stab at folk-pop entwined with prog/psych influences is clearly lacking from that of the album version, which is a shame as the impression is left that the real thing could be nothing short of awe-inspiring. Shame.

The Whip - Blackout
Musically excellent, yet vocally weak; this is probably the best way to describe the new single from electro pop upstarts The Whip. While the upbeat blend of moog keys and indie guitars is, if not overly original, aurally pleasing; the lacklustre, Gavin Rossdale-esque vocals let down what is otherwise a solid track.