Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey:
[email protected])
RECORD OF THE WEEK
t.A.T.u. - Not Gonna Get Us The long awaiting follow-up single to 'All The Things She Said', this should do quite well. Having created international hysteria with their brilliant number one debut single 'All The Things She Said', Russian duo tATu return this week with another powerhouse slab of catchy Euro synth-pop in the shape of 'Not Gonna Get Us'. Another tale of teenage heartache (soundtracked, once again, by Trevor Horn's unmistakable production), it, like its predecessor, is irresistibly catchy and illustrates that there's also plenty of depth beneath all the media hype. The CD single also has their Eurovision Song Entry. STAR RATING OUT OF FIVE *****
HOT SHOT RECORD
Justin Timberlake - Rock Your Body Third single to be taken from the album 'Justified' which has probably sold bucket loads by now, but don't put your hopes high, for this to go to number one, its overplayed and with album sales way high, the single will sell poorly. Having already scored huge hits with 'Like I Love You' and 'Cry Me A River', Justin Timberlake (the current King Of Pop?), returns this week with 'Rock Your Body', the latest effort from his 'Justified' album. A smooth and sexy disco-pop hybrid - with typically cool production from The Neptunes. STAR RATING OUT OF FIVE ***
Audio Bully's - The Things / Turned Away Fresh from assaulting the UK's Top 20 with debut single 'We Don't Care', Simon and Tom Audio Bully return this week with another burly slab of punked up house in the shape of this storming double-header. Retaining that unmistakable sound of the suburbs and veering from rave basslines to house, garage and even rock, both 'The Things' and 'Turned Away' are perfect example of why this duo are widely regarded as the best thing to happen on the dance scene since, Basement Jaxx. STAR RATING OUT OF FIVE **
Boomkat - The Wreckoning The names might not be all that familiar, but brother and sister duo Kellin and Taryn Manning (Taryn was last seen in '8 Mile' and Britney flick 'Crossroads') are looking set to make a big noise with their debut single, 'The Wreckoning'. Mixing multi-layered beats and deft samples with a live feel and an irresistible pop edge, this is a promising debut single, and one that only hints at what we can expect from the forthcoming debut album, 'Boomkatalog One'. STAR RATING OUT OF FIVE ***
Love Inc. - Broken Bones Having rocked dancefloors with last December's 'You're A Superstar', Love Inc return this week with another similarly mammoth slab of uplifting trance. In a pretty similar vein to its predecessor - but then that's no bad thing - 'Broken Bones' is one of those sing-a-long trancers that NuLife seem to release at the drop of a hat, whilst the remixes add slightly different flavours for a multitude of floors. One for the summer! STAR RATING OUT OF FIVE **
Ralph Myerz ft. Jack Herren Band - Think Twice Not heard of Ralph Myerz yet? Well, remember the name, as the producer, along with The Jack Herren Band, are currently leading the way in Norway's current downbeat offensive. Following the example set by the likes of Royksopp, they're crafting beautifully sublime downbeat gems that manage to easily meld blissful widescreen pop, leftfield electronica and a hint of dance into something completely irresistible. RATING OUT OF FIVE **
Outlandish - Guantanamo Formed in Denmark, Outlandish is a hip-hop act with a twist! Counting three members, Isam from Morocco, Waqas from Pakistan and Lenny from Honduras; their sound is a fusion of three cultures that brings a new and dynamic sound with lyrics in English, Spanish, Urdu and Arabic. And the trio's debut single, 'Guantanamo', is a perfect example of what to expect from them. An infectious mix of strings and laidback guitar, it's a head-nodding, pop-tinted intro to a band to watch. STAR RATING OUT OF FIVE ***
Resource - (I Just) Died In Your Arms Highlighting the voice of 24-year-old German-based ex-model Georgios Karolidis, this new version of the old Cutting Crew classic, '(I Just) Died In Your Arms', is looking all set to cause mayhem on the more commercial trance floors this summer. A catchy, uplifting sing-a-long epic (in that irresistible DJ Sammy style). Another potential biggie from the Ministry Of Sound's Substance imprint! RATING OUT OF FIVE **
The Scumfrog - Music Revolution Thanks to 'Music Revolution', Scumfrog was the toast of 2003's Winter Music Conference in Miami. Already a staple in the sets of top jocks as diverse as Pete Tong, Paul Oakenfold, Erick Morrillo and Steve Lawler, amongst others, it's a perfect example of how the producer mixes the dirty tribal sound of New York with his own sleazy Euro-tinted grooves. Whilst on the remix front; Roger Sanchez gets on board with a darker, stripped-to-the-bone version, Planet Funk deliver a tough slab of punk-funk and Funk D'Void rounds it all off with a pacey slice of jacking techno. Something for everyone! RATING OUT OF FIVE **
Sonique - Can't Make Up My Mind This an average song, but does not match her brilliant No.1 song 'It Feels So Good' way back in 2000. Can't Make Up My Mind is the first release from Sonique's upcoming album Born To Be Free, but it might as well be from her last album, given how much of a dead ringer it is for some of her previous singles. Complete with echoing string-plucks a la Toca's Miracle, this track has little to offer except Sonique's vocal and a sing-a-long chorus. The verse feels melodically pointless and the overall record just feels dated. In spite of all this Can't Make Up My Mind is on the Radio 1 B-list, showing that as always we're suckers for more of the same. RATING OUT OF FIVE **
Stereophonics - Madame Helga Barely a year since their last release ('Vegas Two Times' in April 2002), Welsh rockers the Stereophonics return this week with 'Madame Helga', the first single from their eagerly-anticipated new studio album. Probably already familiar to fans - it was a festival fave last year - this classic, stadium sized 'Phonics return, welcome back lads! STAR RATING OUT OF FIVE ***
Tantalize - Body Rockin Debut single from a new girl band called Tantalize. Comprising the collective talents of Jo, Toria and Dee; Tantalize are the latest all-singing, all-dancing, all-girl trio that are aiming to entice you with their irresistible pop wares. Seemingly arriving out of absolutely nowhere, their catchy r'n'b-tinted debut single, 'Body Rockin'', is produced by Cutfather & Jo (Blue, Blazin' Squad) and looks like launching the girls well and truly onto the UK's pop radar. STAR RATING OUT OF FIVE *
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
The Ataris - In This Diary (NCQ)
Biffy Clyro - Questions And Answers
Cave-In - Anchor
Chris Clark - Ceramics Is The Bomb
Evan Dando - Stop My Head
The Droyds - Take Me I'm Yours
Ed Harcourt - Watching The Sun Come Up
Ilya - The Revelation EP
Incognito - Morning Sun
King Adora - Born To Lose/Kamikaze
Daniel Lanois - Falling At Your Feet
Mclusky - Ain't No Fool In Ferguson
Noonday Underground - I'll Walk Right On
Sludgefeast - It's On
Stellarstarr - Somewhere Across Forever
Andy Stochansky - Wonderful (It's Superman)
Single Release Schedule
May 26
Abs - Stop Sign
Are Weapons - Hey World
The Bandits - Take It & Run
The Basement - The Only Mr Lonely
Black Keys - Hard Row
Blak Beatniks - One Day At A Time
John Cale - Five Tracks
Division Of Laura Lee - Trapped In
Dizzee Rascal - I Luv U
Emma - Free Me
Dave Gahan - Dirty Sticky Floors
Ginuwine ft. Baby - Hell Yeah
Grandaddy - Now It's On
Ashley Hamilton - Wimmin
International Pony - Leaving Home
Daniel Lanois - Falling At Your Feet
Jemini - Cry Baby
Holly Lerski - Everyone's Lonely
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 featuring Flipmode Squad - I Know What You Want
S Club - Say Goodbye/Love Ain't Gonna Wait
Shy FX & T Power featuring 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 featuring Imogen Bailey - If U Want Me
XTM & DJ Chucky featuring Annia - Fly On The Wings Of Love
June 2
Airbiscuit - Lately
Basement - Slain The Truth At The Roadhouse
Burning Brides - Arctic Snow
Melanie C - On The Horizon
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - He Wants You/Babe I'm On Fire
Draw - Silver Screen
Electric Six - Gay Bar
Evanescence - Bring Me To Life
Fast Food Rockers - Fast Food Song
Hot Action Cop - Fever For The Flava
iio - At The End
Junkie XL featuring Solomon Burke - Catch Up To My Step
Kings Of Leon - Red Morning Light
Marilyn Manson - mOBSCENE
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
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
Cracatilla - You've Got It All/Everyman
Darius - Girl In The Moon
The Darkness - Growing On Me
Dillinja featuring Skibadee - Twist 'Em Out
DJ Sammy - Sunlight
Rob Dougan - Furious Angels
Flip & Fill - Field Of Dreams
Foo Fighters - Low
Delta Goodrem - Lost Without You
In-Grid - Tu Es Foutu
Jamelia featuring 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
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
June 16
Anotherside - This Is Your Night
Ashanti - Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)
Aurora featuring Naimee Coleman - Sleeping Satellite
The Bangles - Tear Off Your Own Head
Jennifer Ellison - Baby I Don't Care
The Foundation featuring 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
Dannii Minogue - Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling
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
Wayne Wonder - No Letting Go
June 23
Appleton - Everything Eventually
Athlete - Westside
Michelle Branch - Are You Happy Now?
Delerium - After all
P. Diddy featuring Kelis - Let's Get Ill
Eminem - Business
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
Barratt Waugh - Skip A Beat
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Pin
June 30
50 Cent - 21 Questions
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
Blur - Crazy Beat
Blu Cantrell - Breathe
Harry Brooks - Dance With Me
The Coral - Pass It On
Beyonce Knowles - Crazy In Love
Madonna - Hollywood
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
July 28
The Hiss - The Clever Kicks
August 4
Elbow - Fallen Angel
Good Charlotte - The Anthem
Kelly Rowland - Train On The Track
Crystal Waters - This Is My Time
August 11
Busted - Sleeping With The Light On
Courtney Love - Mono
Britney Spears - Shadow
