Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey:
[email protected])
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Girls Aloud - No Good Advice The follow-up to the last Xmas No.1 'Sound of the Underground', this certainly, very rocky and gives quite a punch, go girls! Not only did they come out tops in the 'Pop Stars: The Rivals' chart battle, but they firmly established themselves as a credible pop force in their own right. And the new single, 'No Good Advice', proves that its predecessor wasn't a fluke. Brassy, breathless and defiant, it's also a scathing manifesto of self-determination and is one in the eye for anybody who doubted the group would pull off two hits in a row.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Lisa Scott-Lee - Lately Ex-member of Steps releases her first solo single, what a stomper, certainly to be massive on the dancefloors. With the considerable pop shadow of Steps pretty much dispersed now, and H & Claire taking musical respite, the time is ripe for ex-Stepper Lisa Scott-Lee to launch her solo career. And 'Lately' is a very fine start indeed! Written by Lisa herself, it's a little breath of early summer. Uplifting, catchy, and managing to straddle the fine line between pop and dance with relative ease, 'Lately' shows that Lisa is much more than just a pretty face and has enough crossover potential to appeal to a whole host of pop fans.
Bon Jovi - All About Lovin' You What can you say about Bon Jovi that hasn't been said before? Still, after all these years, rocking the good fight (and doing it exactly as they want to), the band return this week with...well, another classic Jovi tune. A typically stirring rock ballad, 'All About Lovin' You' finds the band and their stadium rousing best.
Bone, Thugs N' Harmony feat. Phil Collins - Home Still managing to retain their place in hip-hop's pantheon of fame, Cleveland quartet Bone Thugs N Harmony return this week with the latest single from their brilliant 'Thug World Order' album. Sampling Phil Collins' 1985 hit 'Take Me Home', 'Home' (with a video starring the great man) finds Bone Thugs N Harmony at their very best
Clipse ft. Faith Evans - Ma I Don't Love Her The second single from Neptunes proteges Clipse, 'Ma, I Don't Love Her' finds the hip-hop duo in a vocal sparring match with the soulful tones of the one and only Faith Evans. Another raw and funky rap hoe-down, with typically deft production from the Neptunes duo.
Deftones - Minerva It's been a long time coming, but metal behemoths the Deftones return this week with the first single from their - understatement coming - highly anticipated new album, simply called, 'Deftones'. Not veering to far from what we'd expect (but then that's no bad thing), 'Minerva' is a dark, brooding slab of grinding metal that'll in one foul swoop please the ardent fan base whilst at the same time converting plenty more to the band's musical cause.
Fallacy feat. Tubby T - Big 'N Bashy After the huge underground success of last year's 'The Groundbreaker' single, Fallacy returns with another typically raucous offering, this time in the shape of 'Big N Bashy'. A quintessentially UK hip-hop offering, this single is a perfect platform for the rapper's no-nonsense attitude and assertive lyrics, whilst the beats on show will move just about any urban dancefloor.
Mr Reds Vs DJ Skribble - Everybody Come On (Can U Feel It) Mr Red's 'Can You Feel It', originally a huge underground anthem across the garage, house, breakbeat and hip-hop scenes, finally surfaces this week for mass public consumption. Created by deejays/producers the Stanton Warriors (when they played Red's over the top of DJ Skribble with Busta and Rampage), this single is one of those rarities that wouldn't be out of place in just about any set. One to watch this summer!
Sam Obernik - Mr Butterfly Sam Obernik, the unmistakable voice behind Tim Deluxe's 2002 Ibiza anthem 'It Just Won't Do', releases her stunning debut single this week, the brilliantly quirky 'Mr Butterfly'. Lifted from Sam's debut album, 'Stellify', this is pretty fair representation of exactly what we can expect from this talented singer/songwriter. Sexy and hypnotic whilst at the same time deeply emotional and haunting, this is a superb debut that shows we can expect more from Ms Obernik than house music or pop.
Sean Paul - Get Busy This has to be the worst song of the year, call this a song, its awful! Having already scored a Top 5 single with the crossover dancehall anthem 'Gimme The Light', Sean Paul returns this week with the similarly infectious follow-up, 'Get Busy'. Again, big on the underground, and one of many highlights from the man's 'Dutty Rock' album, this track's already huge in the States and looks bound for similar success over here, hopefully not!!
Shed Seven - Why Can't I Be You? They've scored a staggering fourteen Top 40 singles, notched up four Top 10 albums, and filled venues all over the UK and Europe, but still Shed Seven refuse to lie back and enjoy the easy life. The first single from the their forthcoming album, 'Where Have You Been Tonight? Live', 'Why Can't I Be You?' is vintage Shed Seven. Sounding like they haven't been away, each format of this release is also joined by some brilliant bonus tracks. Not heard of Shed Seven? Well, this is a perfect place to start!
Staind - Price To Pay They may have been away from the rock limelight for a while, and the music may have moved on some, but that doesn't seem to have dampened any of Staind's fire. The first single from their forthcoming '14 Shades Of Grey' album, 'Price To Play' is another emotionally gripping rock journey from a metal band that remain very much in touch with their sensitive sides.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
The Applicators - Applicators
Broadcast - Pendulum EP
The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster - Chicken
Eyes Adrift - Alaska
Gonzales - Another So Called Party
George Harrison - Any Road
Richard Hawley - Run For Me
Jasper Street Company - Another Day
Kealer - Superman
Keane - Everybody's Changing
Subway Sect - Lazy So And So EP
Less Than Jake - She's Gonna Break Soon
Tom McRae - Karaoke Soul
Mitchell & Dewbury - Globetrotter
Nada Surf - Inside Of Love
Playgroup - Make It Happen
The Pretenders - You Know Who Your Friends Are
Robin S - Luv 4 Luv
Sigur Ros - Untitled
Stylophonic - Soul Reply
Justin Sullivan - Ocean Rising
TLC - Hands Up
Turbonegro - F*** The World
The Wildhearts - So Into You
The Zutons - Creepin' An' A Crawlin'
May 19
Anotherside - This Is Your Night
Ataris - In My Diary (NCQ)
Audio Bullys - Things Turned Away
The Basement - The Only Mr. Lonely
Boomkat - The Wreckoning
Cave-In - Anchor
Chris Clark - Ceramics Is The Bomb
Biffy Clyro - Questions & Answers
Common - New Wave
Evan Dando - Stop My Head
The Droyds - Take Me, I'm Yours
Ed Harcourt - Watching The Sun Come Up
Hot Action Cop On Lava - Fever For The Flava
Ilya - The Revelation EP
Love Inc. - Broken Bones
Mclusky - Ain't No Fool In Ferguson
Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band - Think Twice
Noonday Underground - I'll Walk Right On
Outlandish - Guantanamo
Resource - I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight
The Scumfrog - Music Revolution
Sludgefeast - It's On
Sonique - Can't Make Up My Mind
Stellarstarr - Somewhere Across Forever
Stereophonics - Madame Helga
Andy Stochansky - Wonderful (It's Superman)
Tantalize - Body Rockin'
t.A.T.u. - Not Gonna Get Us
Justin Timberlake - Rock Your Body
Paul Van Dyk ft. Jan Johnston - Nothing But You
May 26
Abs - Stop Sign
Blak Beatniks - One Day At A Time
John Cale - Five Tracks
Dizzee Rascal - I Luv U
DJ Chrome - Who's Crying Now?
Emma - Free Me
Dave Gahan - Dirty Sticky Floors
Ginuwine - Hell Yeah
Grandaddy - Now It's On
Ashley Hamilton - Wimmin
International Pony - Leaving Home
Jemini - Cry Baby
John Mayer - Your Body Is A Wonderland
Erlend Oye - Sheltered Life
P.O.D. - Sleeping Away
Radiohead - There There
Eddi Reader - My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose
Busta Rhymes & Mariah Carey ft. Flipmode Squad - I Know What You Want
S Club - Say Goodbye / Love Ain't Gonna Wait
Shy FX & T Power ft. Kele Le Roc - Feelin' U
Skin - Trashed
Alexis Strum - Addicted
Martina Topley - Need One
3 Drives - Carrera
Turin Brakes - Average Man
Violent Delight - All You Ever Do
Michael Woods ft. Imogen Bailey - If U Want Me
XTM ft. Annia - Fly On The Wings Of Love
June 2
Basement - Slain The Truth At The Roadhouse
Blur - Crazy Beat
Burning Brides - Arctic Snow
Melanie C - On The Horizon
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - He Wants You/Babe I'm On Fire
Rob Dougan - Furious Angels
Draw - Silver Screen
Electric Six - Gay Bar
Evanescence - Bring Me To Life
Fast Food Rockers - Fast Food Song
iio - At The End
Junkie XL ft. Solomon Burke - Catch Up To My Step
Kings Of Leon - Red Morning Light
Marilyn Manson - Mobscene
Nelly - Pimp Juice
Nu - Any Other Girl
Nylon Pylon - Foot In Mouth
One True Voice - Shakespeare's (Way With) Words
Reef - Waster
Rocket Science - Being Followed
Space Cowboy - Just Put Your Hand In Mine
Shania Twain - Forever And For Always
Stone Sour - Inhale
Amy Studt - Misfit
Wayne Wonder - No Letting Go
June 9
AFI - Girl's Not Grey
Christina Aguilera - Fighter
Apollo 440 - Dude Descending A Staircase
B2K - Girlfriend
Counting Crows - If I Could Give You All My Love
Darius - Girl In The Moon
The Darkness - Growing On Me
DJ Sammy - Sunlight
Flip & Fill - Field Of Dreams
Foo Fighters - Low
Delta Goodrem - Lost Without You
In-Grid - Tu Es Foutu
Jamelia ft Rah Digga - Bout
Linkin Park - Faint
Liquid People vs Talk Talk - It's My Life
Jennifer Lopez - I'm Glad
KV5 - Flying Right
Massive Attack - Butterfly Caught
Dannii Minogue - Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling
NRC - Here Comes The Rain Again
Yoko Ono - Walking On Thin Ice
Peppercorn - Hyperventilating
Placebo - This Picture
Simple Plan - Addicted
The Thrills - Big Sur
Jan Wayne - Can't Help Falling In Love
The Wildhearts - So Into You
June 16
Ashanti - Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)
Aurora ft. Naimee Coleman - Sleeping Satellite
The Bangles - Tear Off Your Own Head
Jennifer Ellison - Baby I Don't Care
The Foundation ft. Natalie Rossi - All Out Of Love
David Guetta Vs David Bowie - Just For One Day
Har Mar Superstar - E-Z Pass
Hot Hot Heat - No, Not Now
Lemonescent - Cinderella
Timo Maas - Unite
Moloko - Forever More
Moony - Flying Away
N-Trance - Destiny
OK Go - Don't Ask Me
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Universally Speaking
Scooter - The Night
Shakedown - Drowsy With Hope
Siobhan Donaghy - Overrated
Sugar Ray - Hey Bartender
Tommi - Like What
Train - Calling All The Angels
Un-Cut - Falling
Barratt Waugh - Skip A Beat
June 23
Appleton - Everything Eventually
Athlete - Westside
Michelle Branch - Are You Happy Now?
Delerium - After all
P. Diddy featuring Kelis - Let's get ill
Flaming Lips - Fight Test
Harry - Follow Me
Metallica - St. Anger
Mis-Teeq - Can't Get It Back
Roxette - Opportunity Nox
Simple Minds vs Tomcraft - Space Face
Sinead Quinn - What You Need Is
Ultrabeat - Pretty Green Eyes
Vitamin C - Last Nite
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Pin
June 30
50 Cent - 21 Questions
Beyonce - Crazy In Love
D-Side - Invisible
Whitney Houston - On My Own
M Factor - Come Together
Lisa Marie Presley - Lights Out
Cerys Matthews - Only A Fool
S Club 8 - Fool No More
Seal - Get It Together
Star Spangles - Live For Speed
Super Furry Animals - Golden Retriever
Wheatus - I'm An American In Amsterdam
Richard X vs Kelis - Finest Dreams
July 7
Alkaline Trio - We've Had Enough
Blu Cantrell - Breathe
Harry Brooks - Dance With Me
The Coral - Pass It On
Kym Marsh - Come On Over
Planet Funk - The Switch
Kate Ryan - Scream For More
Simply Red - Fake
July 14
Coldplay - God Put A Smile Upon My Face
Flint - Aim
Lisa Maffia - In Love
Laura Pausini - Surrender
Triple Eight - Give Me A Reason
July 21
All American Rejects - Swing Swing
The Dandy Warhols - The Last High
Daniel Bedingfield - Never Gonna Leave Your Side
Kelis - Milkshake
Kosheen - All In My Head