by Jenny (London, UK)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Robbie Williams - Radio: 'Radio' is the highlight of the upcomnig 'Greatest Hits' album. Musically and vocally, there's few surprises but at least lyrically he's moved on from clever-ish wordplay and inane love songs, to tell tales of being generally screwed-up at the hands of the multi-million dollar pop machine!
'Radio' is a perfect radio-friendly track, very popular on British airwaves. It includes the typically sardonic and "humorous" lyrics and would have left most listeners plussed. Robbie has a vocal range of about 1 octave, he stands out as a singer with true talent and one of the only singers who can really hit a note properly. BUY IT!!!
HOT SHOT RECORD
Duran Duran - (Reach Up For The) Sunrise: Well, get ready for lightning to strike because 'Sunrise' is one of the the best pop songs to hit the airwaves this year. It's hard to believe that 19 years have past since their last single with the original band members and yet they sound as if no time has passed at all. The reinvigorated group has managed to pay homage to its past sound without repeating itself and staying completely relevant in today's musical climate. A feel good, dance-floor affair, 'Sunrise' is a classic Duran Duran single that reminds us how good they were and how much we've missed them.
Alicia Keys - Karma: Alicia is simply amazing. All her songs are good songs and a few of her songs are outstanding. She is one of the 20 or so young singers in the whole world who is respectable in todays world of TV-manufactured stars and sex icons round every musical corner. Her effortless singing on the beat-driven "Karma" is a wonder of sonics on this uplifting piece of pop philosophy, giving countless anxious woman hope that everything will work out as it's meant to. This is THE track from 'The Diary of Alicia Keys' album, with great chorus and funky beat.
Amy Grant - Come Be With Me: It's not unusual to come away from an Amy Grant song with a feeling of hope and steadfastness in the world around, but, with this release, truly one of her best, Amy Grant makes a departure unexpected. From the first notes of the 'Greatest Hits' album, you feel as Amy Grant has left behind the pop sounds and entered territory more familiar to her roots. In 'Come Be With Me' (previously unreleased) duets with Keb' Mo'
Angel City feat. Lara McAllen - Do You Know (I Go Crazy): The third single by Angel City featuring Lara McLaren is ready for commercial release this week. Do You Know (I Go Crazy) has already made it to the number one spot of the Music Week Club Chart, Music Week Pop Chart, Cool Cuts Chart, DMC Club Chart and the DMC Mainstream Chart. What else do you want for a future hit/track?
It's a cover of the old Robert Miles track "Children" but features some fresh lyrics and some great mixes. Probably, will be the dance "anthem" of the 2004 fall.
Bowling For Soup - 1985: Oh my God!! Yes, oh my God (again)! these are going to be your first words, after you listen it. Pure, youth, 'american,' and pop/rock/ mainstream sound. If ever you need to explain "what is todays' mainstream' music," play it as the most perfect sample! Your mom and dads will love it, believe me: the track searches the memories by the MTV and 80s sound, - no doubt, it is the best soundtrack of the 80s with a duration only 4:30 minutes.
Two things to note: a) the songwriters uses the same lyrically 'format' with 'Money For Nothing' (Dire Straits). The tempo is exactly the same as in songs like 'It's My Life' by No Doubt (so the track will rule the airwaves for a long time...)
b) The release of the track is the most pleasant surprise for the UK music Industry: after many months we are having one label which is choosing to release a track in UK first (for Europe) and not in the German market! Does this mean that the OCC Charts will be again the 'driver' for the European & global market? It was the time, I think...
So guys and girls, for all these reasons go and 'eat' this single - also, it's SO well done and super catchy to boot. The chorus is instantly memorable, and you'll be humming it immediately :-)
Brandy - Afrodisiac: Wonderful song (and she is beautiful in the video). It is the title track by this album, and the critics agrees that is "just fantastic" - her and Timbaland make a great match. In case other people are hyped about her video, I must say that it is Brandy's sexiest video EVER. With a decade into her career, Brandy shows she still has what it takes to entertain fans and casual listeners alike on her latest album "Afrodisiac" which debuted at No 3 on Billboard's album chart in July.
Christina Milian feat. Joe Budden - Whatever You Want: Brand new single featuring Joe Budden. It includes JJ Flores and Roy Davis remixes. "Whatever you want" is a uptemp song and when you first hear this song you can tell this will be a 'single'.
I couldn't see this being played on hip-hop radio b/c it's still a pop type song even wit Budden flowing on it but it is a nice funky R&B song with a fun chorus to sing along to.
Dirty Vegas - Walk Into The Sun: The modern sound of London, today. Grammy Award winners Dirty Vegas return in style with the lead single 'Walk Into The Sun', featuring remixes from King Unique and Dirty Vegas themselves, ahead of the release of 'One' - it seems we'll be thinking about them all over again this week! Featuring gorgeous chiming guitars, a New Order-esque bass line and a chorus so huge it can be seen from Space, 'Walk Into The Sun' heralds the re-birth of Dirty Vegas.
Mase - Welcome Back: The former bad boy but current Bad Boy artist releases this week one of the catchiest, kitschiest songs he's ever made, "Welcome Back". His mindless, but nicely lighthearted spits and the insanely sure-to-be-stuck-in-your-head chorus makes the listener feel he's in 1998 all over again, whether that be a good thing or not. The blatant jack of "Welcome Back Kotter"'s theme song only adds to the cheesy, earnest feel of this track.
Rachel Stevens - More More More: "More, more more" is a cover of Andrea True Connection. You don't need any other information, this is a track which is depending only on 'sex appeal.' It will be better for you and it costs you less money if you 'll buy the latest 'Palyboy' magazine edition...
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
October 4
10,000 Things - Titanium Can't Do Nothing
Alicia Keys - Karma
Amy Grant - Come Be With Me
Angel City feat. Lara McAllen - Do You Know (I Go Crazy)
The Beatnuts - Find Us (In The Back Of The Club)
Bellefire - Spin The Wheel
Blockheads - Mona
Bowling For Soup - 1985
Brandy - Afrodisiac
Caspa Codina - Tell Me
Christina Milian feat. Joe Budden - Whatever You Want
Clor - Welcome Music Lovers
The Dead 60s - Riot Radio
Deo - Wild Ocean
Dirty Vegas - Walk Into The Sun
DJ Casper feat. The Gap Band - Oops Upside Your Head
Dogs Die In Hot Cars - Lounger
Duke Spirit - Cuts Across The Land
Duran Duran - (Reach Up For The) Sunrise
Eamon feat. Ghostface - Love Them
Estelle - Free
Golden Virgins - Renaissance Kid
Good Charlotte - Predictable
Home Video - Citizen
Hot Chip - Playboy
Husky Rescue - Summertime Cowboy
Knife - Heartbeats
Lisa Stansfield - Easier/Treat Me Like A Woman
Lucie Silvas - What You're Made Of
Mad Capsule Markets - Scary
Marilyn Manson - Personal Jesus
Ma$e - Welcome Back
Moco - Baby When You Die
Quartzlock - Don't Turn Around/You Make Loving Fun
Rachel Stevens - More More More
Robbie Williams - Radio
Rodney P - Trouble
Sons & Daughters - Johnny Cash
The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Karmageddon
Special Needs - Francesca
The Strokes - The End Has No End
Sum 41 - We're All To Blame
Terror Squad feat. Fat Joe & Remy - Lean Back
Tippi - Boy
TV On The Radio - New Health Rock
Your Codename Is Milo - Schteeve
October 11
A-Studio - S.O.S.
A Girl Called Eddy - Long Goodbye
Ana Johnsson - Don't Cry For Pain
The Beautiful South - Livin' Thing
Brad Carter - Morning Always Comes Too Soon
Brand New Heavies - Boogie
C&C Music Factory - Sweat 2004
The Datsuns - Girl's Best Friend
Decemberists - Billy Liar
Dirty Vegas - Walk Into The Sun
The Donnas - Fall Behind Me
Duncan James & Keedie - I Believe My Heart
Eighties Matchbox B Line Disaster - Rise Of The Eagles
Ella Guru - Park Lane Speakers
Faint - I Disappear
Hidden Cameras - I Believe In The Good Of Life
Ignition X - U Sure Do/It's My Life
Ikara Colt - Modern Feeling
James Maker feat. Noko 440 - Born That Way
Jimmy Eat World - Pain
Jobriath - I Love A Good Fight
Kasabian - Processed Beats
Lorna - Papi Chulo
Malibu Stacey - Invasion
Modest Mouse - Ocean Breathes Salty
Maria Mena - You're The Only One
Mia - Galang
Morrissey - Let Me Kiss You
Neo Cortex - Elements
Norah Jones - Those Sweet Words
Oceansize - Music For Nurses
The Others - Stan Bowles
OutKast - Prototype/Ghettomusick
Paddingtons - 22/Some Old Girl
Paddy Milner - Unsquare Dance
Rhian Benson - Say How I Feel
Rooster - Come Get Some
Scissor Sisters - Mary
Sugarcult - She's The Blade
Systematik - Endless Road/If You Leave Me Now
Tiesto - Just Be/Goldrush
Velvet Revolver - Fall To Pieces
VS - Make It Hot
Wonder Stuff - Better Get Ready For A Fist Fight
Young Buck - Let Me In
October 18
Alex Cuba Band With Ron Sexsmith - Lo Mismo Que Yo (If Only)
All Eyes - She's A Vision
Anita Baker - You're My Everything
Ash - Renegade Calvacade
Black Moth Connection - Shake Ur Booty
Bonnie Prince Billy - No More Workhorse Blues
Cliff Richard - Something's Goin' On
The Cure - Taking Off
Danzel - Pump It Up
Darius - Kinda Love
Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence '04
The Dualers - Kiss On The Lips
Eastern Lane - I Said Pig On Friday
Flash Brothers - Amen (Don't Be Afraid)
Freeform Five - Eeeeaaoowww
Gabrielle - You Used To Love Me
Good Size - Pineapple Song (Turn Around And Let Me See)
Grand National - Drink To Moving On
Hidden Cameras - I Believe In The Good Of Life
Hollywood Ending - Beginning Of The Middle
The Hives - Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones
James Blunt - High
Jay Sean - Stolen
Kate Aumonier - Beautiful Girl
Kelis feat. Andre 3000 - Millionaire
The Libertines - What Became Of The Likely Lads
Lil' Flip - Sunshine
Manic Street Preachers - Love Of Richard Nixon
Mark Joseph - Lady Lady/Volcano
Marshmallow - Any Time Soon
Mylo - Drop The Pressure
N-Trance - I'm In Heaven
Noise Next Door - Lock Up Your Daughters/Ministry Of Mayhem
Others - Stan Bowles
Petey Pablo - Freek-A-Leek
Placebo - 20 Years
Polly Paulusma - Over The Hill
R Kelly - Happy People
Rammstein - Amerika
The Roots - I Don't Care
Seventh Sun - Melody
Shaznay Lewis - You
Sia - Numb
Slipknot - Vermilion
Travis - Walking In The Sun
Way Out West - Anything But You
The Zutons - Don't Ever Think
October 25
The Basement - Do You Think You're Moving On?
Bloc Party - Helicopter
Calvin & Frankie - Dreaming
Candee Jay - Back For Me
Christina Aguilera feat. Missy Elliot - Car Wash
Daniel Bedingfield - Nothing Hurts Like Love
Dannii Minogue vs. Flowerpower - You Won't Forget About Me
Delays - Lost In A Melody
Ellements - Walk Right Now
George Michael - Round Here
Graham Coxon - All Over Me/Freakin' Out
goldielookinchain - Your Mother
Hoobastank - The Reason (Remix)
Il Divo - Regressa Mi
Ja Rule feat. R Kelly & Ashanti - Wonderful
Jill Scott - Golden
Kings Of Leon - The Bucket
Marques Houston - Because Of You
Michelle Lawson - Beautiful Thing
Mick Jagger & Dave Stewart - Old Habits Die Hard
Nina Sky - Turnin' Me On
Phixx - Strange Love
Prodigy - Hotride
Rachel McFarlane - Lover
The Rasmus - First Day Of My Life
Snow Patrol - How To Be Dead
Supatonic - I Wish It Wasn't True
Tom Baxter - My Declaration
Wee Phillie vs. DJ Gotti - Bang The Drum
November 1
Ashanti - Only You
Avril Lavigne - Nobody's Home
The Black Eyed Peas - Don't Mess With My Heart
Brian McFadden - Irish Son
Britney Spears - My Prerogative
Death From Above - Romantic Rights
Destiny's Child - Lose My Breath
Elton John - All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful)
Fabolous - Breathe
Intenso Project featuring Lisa Scott-Lee - Get It On
Jamelia - DJ
Jamie Scott - Searching
JoJo feat. Bow Wow - Baby It's You
Lost Witness feat. Andrea Britton - Wait For You
Michael Gray - The Weekend
Patrizio Buanne - Il Mondo
Silver Sun - Bubblegum
Steriogram - Walkie Talkie Man
The Strokes - End Had No End
Tyler James - Why Do I Do
Usher - Confessions Part II/My Boo
Westlife - Ain't That A Kick In The Head
Wet Wet Wet - All I Want
November 8
The 411 - Teardrops
Anastacia - Welcome To My Truth
Bjork - Who Is It?
Blue - Curtain Falls
Delta Goodrem - Out Of The Blue
Eminem - Just Lose It
Finn Brothers - Nothing Wrong With You
Groove Coverage - Poison
Gwen Stefani - What Are You Waiting For
Har Mar Superstar - Body Request
Jennifer Lopez - TBA
Kristian Leontiou - Some Say
Paul Weller - Thinking Of You
Razorlight - TBA
Soulwax - E-Talking
Stonebridge feat. Ultra Nate - Freak On
Twista feat. R Kelly - So Sexy
U2 - Vertigo
V - You Stood Up
November 15
Geri Halliwell - Ride It
McFly - Room On The 3rd Floor
Lemar - If There's Any Justice
Raghav - Angel Eyes
The Music - Bleed From Within
November 22
The Corrs - Long Night
Girls Aloud - I'll Stand By You
Green Day - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
Keane - This Is The Last Time
Sugababes - Overload 2004
The Thrills - Not For All The Love In The World
November 29
Fat Joe - Things Of That Nature
Kylie Minogue - I Believe In You
Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten
REM - Boy In The Well
Smujji - TBA
The Streets - Could Well Be In
December 6
Beastie Boys - Open Letter To NYC
Robbie Williams - Misunderstood
