LONDON, UK
by Jenny (Staff Writer)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Electric Six - Radio Ga Ga: Electric Six are set to release their gargantuan interpretation of the Queen classic 'Radio Ga Ga' as their debut Rushmore Recordings/Warners release on December 13th.
Set to soundtrack office Christmas parties everywhere, 
'Radio Ga Ga' finds Dick Valentine in awesome voice with the rest of the Electric Six boys blasting their way through one of the biggest songs in rock history. With 'Radio Ga Ga', Electric Six are in pole position for the coveted Christmas number one!
HOT SHOT RECORD
Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter: If there's anything like a template here, it's "The Blower's Daughter," the song that first attracted the interest/stewardship of film composer David Arnold (whose guest production provides "The Blower's Daughter" with expansive cinematic elegance) and became a massive Irish hit. "The Blower's Daughter" is a particular hit, I hope. Rice sings with such passionate yearning: when his voice cracks over the bass and the gentle guitar, you feel everything he is feeling, and then he repeats "I can't take my eyes off of you" over and over to capture your imagination. The track also can be found in the Hollywood movie 'CLOSER' (I was haunted by the song that opens and closes the film). It is so achingly beautiful, go and BUY it! (5/5)
Blink 182 - Always: This is another song done by Tom and even to its good I'm kinda tired of his voice. Its a little repetetive but its such a new song for blink to do, sort of "Pop" style of music. Slower, but pretty good, cool bass and drumstick opening some of the clean guitar riffs sound like old blink and less rock than any of their other songs, it has a cool intro. An 80s-like song with also 4 bass guitars play on the outro! (chorus is perfect). 3/5
Bo Selecta - I Got You Babe/Sodapop: Maybe this will be a hit this year's Christmas! Incase you're not aware, this is a double A-Side featuring 'Soda Pop' by Craig David, as heard in series 3 and also a cover of the Sonny & Cher classic song 'I've got you babe' which is sung by Avid, Patsy Kensit and Davina McCall. The track has a lot of fun (not that last year's effort ever did). (2/5)
Cliff Richard - I Cannot Give You My Love: Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and Miami with a variety of writers, Something's Goin' On promises to be Cliff's most exciting album in years. Cliff releases this Monday the track 'I Cannot Give You My Love' written by Bee Gee Barry Gibb. This album is released by Universal Music through the Decca label. 'I Cannot Give You My Love' cd-single includes bonus tracks She's All Mine and Somethin' Is Goin' On (video). (2/5)
Features - Leave It All Behind: This is the second single we've heard from The Features forthcoming album 'Exhibit A'. 'Leave It All Behind' gives you a further example of why they've been chosen to support the Kings of Leon on their forthcoming tour. Yep they sound like distant cousins of theirs, but with their own unique style and slightly less hair. 'Leave It All Behind' (Universal) is a heavenly chunk of new-age rock bluster that hangs off a heaving great choral hook like chunks of venison at a local butchers. They're off touring the UK with the Kings Of Leon this December so remember that name; for you'll be swearing by them this time next year. (3/5)
Morrissey - I Have Forgiven Jesus: Morrissey's first studio release since 1997 (and seventh overall) was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Jerry Finn (Blink-182, Green Day) and longtime collaborators Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer. Songs like “I Have Forgiven Jesus” showed Morrissey honing and sharpening his literate wit: In "I Have Forgiven Jesus" he explains how Jesus deserted him and gave him desire, a dangerous thing to have, and asks why he put him in "self-depreciating bones and skin", it's almost confessional, full of Catholic guilt, and by Friday "life has killed me". It's delicately handled with a very lush arrangement backing everything really well. 'Difficult' song, not for the Charts and teens without brain, but who knows? Maybe the miracle of the 'holiday spirit' can force British Radio stations to play it! (5/5)
My Chemical Romance - Thank You For The Venom: "Thank You For The Venom," maybe is the best song on the album "Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge," talks about not leaving or letting go of what you want/believe in. A great song indeed! This is a song where the lyrics really stand out above the music in my opinion. With this track, it's almost as if you can make the lyrics mean what you want it to be for you, which always make a song even that much better... (4/5)
Ronan Keating & Yusuf - Father And Son: Ronan has established himself as one of the best loved solo artists in the UK and around the World. Cat Stevens said about his collaboration with ERonan on 'Father & Son':
"I realised that Father & Son is an important song with a strong moral message. Ronan then rang me up personally - it was hard to say 'no'. I went along to the studio in Parsons Green, London, where Ronan was recording. The track sounded nice. So I got behind the microphone and started singing a couple of the father verses to loosen up. After a while I realised it was sounding good, everybody was really pleased with it. I did a few takes and it was done. That's how it happened."
I like the new version better, I never knew that it was a conversation between a Father and a Son, by using different vocals highlights that fact. The new version is much nearer to Cat's original. (4/5)
Westlife - Smile: (MP3/Download Only) Westlife release a fifth album full of big band classics. Titled 'Allow Us To Be Frank' this is a collection of classics, the songs are obviously brilliant! (did I write this one?). Maybe they have been taken the worst 'reviews' by me, but NOT for this album. All members of Westlife atcually have big band suited voices, they sing well and in tune.
Here's Charlie Chaplin's lovely "Smile (Though Your Heart Is Breaking)" is a slow ballad big band song. Westlife sing in ballad type voices, and this song atcually has some meaning. The song is quite emotive, the lyrics are brilliant! (4/5)
Zutons - Confusion: The Zutons new single 'Confusion' will be released on the 13th of December and for the first time, the band will be releasing a limited edition 7" picture disc single - which also includes the original version of 'You Will, You Won't'. The funky and soulful sound of The Zutons goes down an absolute storm with this capacity-strength crowd which is borne out as they croon along with 'Confusion' at the top of their voices. Also I think that "Confusion" cops the bass line from "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number!" EXCELLENT! (4/5)
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
100% & Jennifer John - Just Can't Wait (Saturday)
Blink 182 - Always
Bo Selecta - I Got You Babe/Sodapop
Cliff Richard - I Cannot Give You My Love
The Concretes - Warm Night EP
Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter
Eddie Vedder - The Molo Sessions EP (MP3/Download)
Electric Six - Radio Ga Ga
Elliott Smith - Pretty (Ugly Before)
Features - Leave It All Behind
Goldie Lookin' Chain - You Knows I Love You
Hot Pantz - Give You One For Christmas
Jetplane Landing - There Is No Real Courage Unless There Is Real Danger
Loose Cannons - Got It All Wrong
Lucky Jim - Lesbia EP
Morrissey - I Have Forgiven Jesus
My Chemical Romance - Thank You For The Venom
Pnau - Again
Radio Dept - Ewan
Ronan Keating & Yusuf - Father And Son
Sheila Ferguson - New Kind Of Medicine
Sir Ivan - Peace On Earth
Skandi Girls - Do The Can Can
Tubby T - Ready She Ready
Westlife - Smile (MP3/Download)
Zutons - Confusion
Singles Release Schedule
December 20
Charlatans - Loving You Is Easy
Gene - Let Me Move On
Joe Brown - I'll See You In My Dreams
Lethal Bizzle - Pow (Forward)
Mr Christmas - Christmas Everyday
Star Turn on 45 Pints - Take Me Out
Sweet Revenge - Simon Cowell Says
Tara Blaise - Fool For Love
December 27
Jet - Get Me Outta Here
Secret Machines - Sad And Lonely
January 3
Blue Ft Lil Kim - Get Down On It
Dana Rayne - Object Of My Desire
Elvis Presley - All Shook Up
Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock
Erasure - Breathe
Interpol - Evil
Iron Maiden - Number Of The Beast
Kasabian - Cutt Off
The Kinison - You'll Never Guess Who Died
Le Tigre - Tko
Manic Street Preachers - Empty Souls
Scissor Sisters - Filthy/Gorgeous
Seagulls Ska - Tom Hark (We Want Falmer)
Urban Cookie Collective - The Key, The Secret 2005
January 10
Asia - Long Way From Home
Candidate - Mountain Snow
Client Ft Carl Barat - Pornography
Coheed and Cambria - A Favor House Atlantic
Darius - Live Twice
Divine Inspiration - Someday
Elvis Presley - One Night
Jamie Scott - Searching
The Killers - Somebody Told Me
Kings of Convenience - Know How
Kings of Leon - 4 Kicks
Lazyboy - Police Dogs' Bonfire
Little Barrie - Free Salute
Longview - Coming Down /When You Sleep
Minnie Driver - Invisible Girl
Money Mark - Burn Away
The Music - Breakin'
Narcotic Thrust - When The Dawn Breaks
Pink Grease - Strip
Pop! - Serious
Puscha - Show Me What Love Is
Rachel McFarlane - Lover
Roni Size and Beverley Knight - No More
Rooster - Staring At The Sun
Sage Francis - Sea Lion
Soul Central Ft Kathy Brown - Strings Of Life (Stronger On My Own)
Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Breakdown
Thirteen Senses - Thru The Glass
January 17
Andrew Bird - Sovay
Ashlee Simpson - LaLa
Athlete - Wires
Beastie Boys - Right Right Now Now
Beck - Gospel
Ben Watt - Pop A Cap In Yo Ass
Bjork - Triumph Of The Heart
Breed 77 - Shadows
Chemical Brothers - Galvanise
Ciara - Goodies
Dead Fly Buchowski - Blackout
Elvis Presley - A Fool Such As I
Feeder - Tumble And Fall
Gruff Rhys - Gwn Mi Wn/Ni Yw Y Byd
Guy Sebastian and Mya - Forever With You
Ian Brown - Time Is My Everything
Immediate - Never Seen/Say This
Live Ambient Workshop - Nighthawkes EP
Lovefreekz - Shine
Lucie Silvas - Breathe In
Mates of State - All Day EP
Mercury Rev - In A Funny Way
Mooney Suzuki - Alive And Amplified
Mos Def - Sex, Love And Money
The Others - Lackey
Roots Manuva - Colossal Insight
Sights - Circus/Everything
Soulwax - E Talking
Stewart Francke - Safely Home
Stonebridge Ft Therese - Take Me Away
The Used - Take It Away
January 24
Amsterdam - The Journey
Apartment - Everyone Thinks I'm Paranoid
Ashanti - Only You
Buff Medways - I'm A Lie Detector
D:Rail - How Do I Say Goodbye
David Kitt - Dancing In The Moonlight
Delta Goodrem and Brian McFadden - Almost Here
Elvis Presley - It's Now Or Never
Good Charlotte - I Just Wanna Live
Hanson - Penny And Me
Ian Broudie - Song For No One
Jennifer Lopez - Get Right
Juliet Turner - Vampire
Mylo - In My Arms
Phixx - Strange Love
Portobella - Viva La Difference
Ray Lamenting - Trouble
Wedding Present - I'm Further North Than You
X-Zibit - Hey Now (Mean Muggin')
January 31
Deeyah - Plan Of My Own
Demon Summer - Burn
Duran Duran - What Happens Tomorrow
Elvis Presley - Are You Lonesome Tonight?
Fierce Girl - What Makes A Girl Fierce?
The Flaming Lips - Spongebob & Patrick Consult The Psychic
Ga Gas - Sex
HAL - What A Lovely Dance
Hammerfall - Blood Bound
Heather Small - Proud
Jentina - Mysterious
Raghav - Angeleyes
February 7
Alicia Keys - Karma
Destiny's Child - Soldier
Doves - Black And White Town
Elvis Presley - Wooden Heart
The Glitterati - Back In Power
Hall & Oates - I Can Dream About It
Josh Rouse - Hamptons For The Winter
The Kills - The Good Ones
Mark Joseph - Lady Lady
Wee Phillie Ft DJ Gotti - Bang On The Drum
February 14
Atomic Kitten - Cradle
Elvis Presley - Surrender
Low - California
Nathan - Come Into My Room
Petey Pablo - Vibrate
Presidents Of The United States of America - Love Everybody
Razorlight - Keep The Right Profile
Usher - Caught Up
Willy Mason - Oxygen
