Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Evanescence - Going Under At least they are proving, they are not just a one-hit wonder. The black-clad neo goth quartet from Little Rock, Arkansas follow up their smash hit debut single 'Bring Me To Life', which has been in the top 20 for 12 weeks, with 'Going Under', another dark rocky tune, taken from their platinum album 'Fallen'. Amy Lee's ethereal vocals give 'Going Under' a similar style and sound to 'Bring Me To Life' and if you want to hear more, they kick off a six-date UK tour at the end of October.
HOT SHOT RECORD
The Darkness - I Believe In A Thing Called Love Give me a 'D', Give me an 'Arkness', What do you get? DARKNESS. This must give Evanescence a good run for No.1 next week. Its addictive, crazy, and utter madness, which makes it a great hit, taken from their multi-million selling debut album 'Permission To Land'. Long dismissed as a comedy band (probably thanks to singer Justin's penchant for midriff-bearing catsuits), the Darkness's last two singles 'Growing On Me' and 'Get Your Hands Off My Woman' hit the top 40 and the top 10 respectively. Sincerely tongue-in-cheek, The Darkness's sound brings back memories of poddle-permed 80s rockers Aerosmith, Def Leppard and Van Halen, but don't let put you off - this is great!
Athlete - You Got The Style Taken from their debut album 'Vehicles and Animals', Deptford quartet Athlete return with a re-release of the summer 2002 single 'You Got The Style'. Very much a soundtrack to sitting in the park and eating an ice-cream, lead singer Joe Potts' cockney vocals tunefully remind you the sun still shines and summer is indeed here. With its pleasing sing-a-long chorus and anthemic hook, 'You Got The Style' is like 10 of your favourite records rolled into one - a sunny ray of light among an overcast British indie genre.
Clea - Download It Popstars rejects from last year - Chloe, Lindsey, Emma & Amy - form the band Clea. The band name has been taken from their first initial of their forenames. Not bad for a debut single, catchy and well written, and it should do well but not as high as a No.1 single.
Deftones - Hexagram 'Hexagram' is the second single to be taken from the Deftones' first album in almost two years. It's a song that gives the listener a true taste of the depth and diversity of lead singer Chino Moreno's voice. From the uncanny chanting of the chorus to the blood-curdling screams, it seems there's no end to what his vocal chords can endure. It's the diversity of Moreno's range and the blend of lead-heavy guitars and pummelling beats that make this group from Sacramento, California so unique.
Tim Deluxe - Less Talk, More Action Tim Deluxe must have enjoyed remixing Kylie's Can't Get You Out of My Head, because the opening of his new single kicks off with the unmistakable "na na nana na" that we struggled hard to get out of our heads. Then it takes off and becomes an irresistible roller-coaster of a ride, with cheeky vocals from Terra Diva and the uplifting party-fuelled sound we've come to expect from this talented DJ-come-producer. Less Talk More Action! Comes from Tim's first artist album The Little Ginger Club Kid, coming soon. If it's all as good as this we won't stop dancing for months - and in the meantime the single should easily match last year's summer hit, It Just Won't Do. It will, actually.
Feeder - Find The Colour 'Find The Colour' is the fourth single to be taken from Feeder's platinum album 'Comfort in Sound', which was written after the group's drummer Jon Lee committed suicide in early 2002. It's another beautifully shimmery, heartfelt tune, along the same lines as another recent big Feeder hit 'Just The Way I'm Feeling'. Catch frontman songwriter Grant Nicholas and bassist Taka Hirose's on their UK arena tour in December.
Foo Fighters - Have It All Fresh from Dave Grohl tying the knot, Foo Fighters release a new single from their platinum-selling album 'One By One'. The explosive 'Have It All' is backed with the band's interpretation of Prince's 'Darling Nikki' and live versions of tracks taken from their Radio 1 live lounge session. While escaping the confines of his obvious grunge beginnings, Grohl's made it his mission to create rock that sets its own stakes high without the burden of always looking back and the evidence is right here.
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes This very, gorgeous young woman, by the name of Delta Goodrem returns with a very up-tempo power ballad, one of my favourite tracks lifted from her multi-million selling album 'Innocent Eyes'. The autobiographical title track off the self-titled album, 'Innocent Eyes' has an addictive hook with its simple production, soft vocals and touching melody that sounds quite similar to an early Tori Amos track. You can bet ex-Neighbours star Delta Goodrem's record collection features a fair amount of Celine Dion's work too as there are some traits of the Canadian warblers influence in the track. Get well soon, we all love you.
Metallica - Frantic 'Frantic', the second single to be released and the album's opening track, quickly sets the tone for the new direction taken by Metallica. A stuttering guitar riff leads into a verse heavier than anything the band has done in the last ten years, and a disjointed series of choruses, bridges and rhythm changes lead into a whipping finale. A microcosm of the entire album, 'Frantic' is extremely long and dense, with several different styles crushed into a single tune. Lines like 'Could I have my wasted days back/Would I use them to get back on track?' clearly explore Hetfield's uncertainty following rehab, and Rock's loose production helps the music convey the song's unique intensity.
Outkast - Ghetto Musick Leave it groundbreaking, Grammy-winning duo Outkast to come up with something so unique and daring as 'Ghetto Musick'. Taken from their new double CD 'concept' album 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below', this single is like George Clinton, Prince, Jean Michel Jarre, Joey Beltram and Luther Vandross - all at the same time! It's a hectic mish-mash of 90s Detroit techno synth and electro beats knitted with samples of Patti Labelle, stopping half-way through to catch breath like a worn-outraver. And things get even crazier on the Benny Benassi remix. Only Outkast could get away with returning to the scene with this wild, deranged come-back - fans of 'Ms. Jackson' beware!
Elvis Presley - Rubberneckin' This song is an old b-side track from the 1970 Elvis Presley hit 'Don't Cry Daddy', been given the remix factor by Paul Oakenfold. Having had an obscure sixties track given the once-over remix treatment from Junkie XL, The King is once again the subject of a twenty-first century re-rub. This time the remix remit has fallen to Paul Oakenfold who gives 'Rubberneckin'' a whole new groove.
The UD Project vs Sunclub - Summer Jam 2003 It might not even be summer anymore, but UD Project (aka Underdog Project) are determined to make us feel like it is with this trance/house track that's already been No.1 in the Netherlands and Belgium. Trying to unravel who's who on these credits isn't easy, but from what we can gather, Canadian Vic Krishna went to visit a friend in Germany three years ago and ended up recording the tune with singer Craig Smart and the production team Tone Def and Triple S. Three years later the acapella to 'Summerjam' was bootlegged over 'Fiesta' by Sunclub by Belgian based DJ F.R.A.N.K and Andy Jansen, and this is the result.
Jurgen Vries - Wilderness Jurgen Vries (aka London producer Darren Tate) follows up his massive hits 'The Theme' and 'Opera Song' (which featured Charlotte Church) with the excellent 'Wilderness'. This time he has recruited the vocal talents of Shena, a classically trained singer, and created another infectiously quirky club anthem tearing up 'trancefloors' everywhere. His excellent production skills combine with some low frequency bass and a warped, ACDC-ish guitar riff that sends clubbers into a frenzy. Hands in the air for this one!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps Taken from their critically-acclaimed 'Fever To Tell' album, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs release this excellent single. 'Maps' displays an unexpected depth to the band's unruly New York punk sound, with lead singer Karen O casting off her 'in control but out-of-control' attitude to expose a vulnerable alter-ego. Her lyrics are simple and concise, yet soulful, revealing a sensitivity not heard from in previous YYY singles. 'Maps' is an emotionally charged, rip-your-heart-out, cry-yourself-to-sleep, punk-pop gem - the closest the Yeahs will come to recording a 'ballad'.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Ambulance Ltd - Primitive
ATEED - Come To Me
Atomizer - Hooked On Radiation
Biffy Clyro - Eradicate The Doubt
Drunken Monkey - E
Elviss - Dead Cat & Sharksick
The Features - The Beginning EP
Foo Fighters - Have It All
Ella Guru - 3 Songs From Liverpool
Emma Holland - Sunshine
Infrared Vs Gil Felix - Capoiera
Rilo Kiley - The Execution Of All Things
Lockdown Project - 24/7
Lene Marlin - You Weren't There
Mars Volta - Inertiatic EP
NFD - Break The Silence
Seelenluft - Manila
Shack - Byrds Turn to Stone
Warrior - X
Zoot Woman - Grey Day
Single Release Schedule
September 29
The Ataris - The Boys Of Summer
Blondie - Good Boys
David Bowie - New Killer Star (DVD)
Michelle Branch - Breathe
Eva Cassidy - You Take My Breath Away
The Coral - Secret Kiss
Divine Inspiration - What Will Be Will Be
DJ Bobo - Chihuahua
DJ Tiesto - Traffic
DMX - Where Da Hood At?
Fountains Of Wayne - Stacey's Mom
Robin Gibb - A Lover's Prayer
Hope Of The States - Enemies: Friends
In-Grid - Tu Es Foutu
Paul Johnson - Follow This Beat
Stephanie Kirkham - Garden Of Dreams
Longview - Can't Explain
Lovebug - Who's The Daddy?
Milk & Sugar - Let The Sunshine In
Morjac featuring Raz Conway - Stars
Nodesha - Get It While It's Hot
Pest - Chicken Spit
Finley Quaye featuring Beth Orton - Dice
S Club 8 - Sundown
Amy Studt - Under The Thumb
Sugardaddy - Sweet Soca Music
Travis - Re-Offender
Turin Brakes - 5 Mile (These Are The Days)
Paul Van Dyk - Time Of Our Lives/Connected
Terri Walker - Drawing Board
October 6
B2K - Uh Huh
Beyonc� featuring Sean Paul - Baby Boy
Blur - Good Song
Butterfly Butcher - I Can't Make You Love Me
Chingy - Right Thurr
Fabolous featuring Tamia - Into You
Fast Food Rockers - Say Cheese (Smile Please)
Foggy - Come (Into My Dream)
Funeral For A Friend - She Drove Me To Daytime Television
Matt Goss - I'm Comin' With Ya
Hazzards - Gay Boyfriend
I Monster - Who Is She?
Michelle Lawson - I Just Wanna Say
Kevin Lyttle - Turn Me On
Planet Funk - Inside All The People
The Pretenders - The Losing
Santana featuring Alex Band - Why Don't You And I
Scooter - Maria (I Like It Loud)
The Strokes - 12:51
Joe Strummer - Coma Girl
Suede - Attitude
System featuring Kerri B - If You Leave Me Now
Texas - Carnival Girl
Ian Van Dahl - I Can't Let You Go
Luther Vandross - Lovely Day/Dance With My Father
Amy Winehouse - Stronger Than Me
October 13
50 Cent featuring Snoop Dogg - P.I.M.P.
Aqualung - Brighter Than Sunshine
The Beautiful South - Just A Few Things That I Ain't
Da Brat featuring Cherish - In Love Wit Chu
Craig David - World Filled With Love
The Donnas - Too Bad About Your Girl
Hilary Duff - So Yesterday
Electric Six - Dance Commander
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Mixed Up World
Emma - Maybe
Erasure - Oh L'Amour
David Guetta featuring Chris Willis - Just A Little More Love
Kira - Two Hearts On Fire
Kosheen - Wasting My Time
Stacie Orrico - (There's Gotta Be) More To Life
Pharrell featuring Busta Rhymes - Light Your Ass On Fire
REM - Bad Day
Billie Ray Martin - Dead Again
Mark Ronson featuring Ghostface & Nate Dogg - Ooh Wee
Soil - Pride
Sugababes - Hole In The Head
Super Furry Animals - Hello Sunshine
Tatjana - Santa Maria 2003
Thicke - When I Get You Alone
Thursday - Signals Over The Air
Tindersticks - Sweet Oblivion
Tomcraft - Brainwashed
Twen2y 4 Se7en - Patiently Waiting
UB40 - Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Maria Willson - Mr. Alibi
Wyclef - Industry
October 20
Acoustic Love Experience - Painted Pony
Angel City - Love Me Right
Ashanti - Rain On Me
Basement Jaxx featuring Dizzee Rascal - Lucky Star
Daniel Bedingfield - Friday
Blue - Guilty
Sheryl Crow - The First Cut Is The Deepest
Fatman Scoop featuring The Crooklyn Clan - Be Faithful
Kings Of Leon - Wasted Time
Liberty X - Jumpin'
Kym Marsh - Sentimental
Morcheeba - Can't Stand It
Outlandish - Aicha
Simply Red - You Make Me Feel New
Obie Trice - Got Some Teeth
Unkle - In A State
October 27
Atomic Kitten - If You Come To Me
Melanie C - Yeh Yeh Yeh
Delays - Long Time Coming
Eagle Eye Cherry - Skull Tattoo
Elbow - Fugitive Motel
Hundred Reasons - The Great Test
iio - Smooth
Kelis - Milkshake
Lumidee - Crashin' A Party
Maroon 5 - Harder To Breathe
Mark Owen - Alone Without You
Pink - Trouble
Phixx - Hold On Me
Primal Scream - Some Velvet Morning
David Sneddon - Baby Get Higher
Underworld - Born Slippy 2003
Holly Valance - State Of Mind
Wayne Wonder - Friend Like Me
November 3
Blazin' Squad - Flip Reverse
The Cooper Temple Clause - Blind Pilot
Fight Club featuring Laurent Konrad - Spread Love
Gabrielle - You Used To Love Me
Javine - Surrender
Jet - Rollover DJ
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
Kylie Minogue - Slow
Ozzy & Kelly Osbourne - Changes
Pet Shop Boys - Miracles
Britney Spears - Me Against The Music
Triple Eight - You And I
Robbie Williams - Sexed Up
November 10
Abs - 7 Ways...
Belle & Sebastian - Step Into My Office
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - We're All In Love
Busted - Crashed The Wedding
Electric Soft Parade - Lose Your Frown
Delta Goodrem - Not Me, Not I
Iron Maiden - Rain Maker
Lemar - 50:50/Lullaby
Lorna - Papi Chulo...Te Traigo El Mmmm
Love Inc - Into The Night
Madonna - Nothing Fails
Muse - Hysteria
Outkast - Hey Ya
Room 5 featuring Oliver Cheatham - Music And You
Stereophonics - Since I Told You It's Over
Usher - Confessions
November 17
Flip & Fill - Irish Blue
Mis-Teeq - Crossroads
Lady May featuring Blu Cantrell - Round Up
Linkin Park - From The Inside
Lisa Scott-Lee - I'll Wait For You/U Sure Do
Alanis Morrisette - Eight Easy Steps
Rachel Stevens - Funky Dory
Starsailor - Born Again
November 24
Kelly Clarkson - Low
Will Young - Leave It Right Now
December 1
Nelly Furtado - Powerless
December 8
Big Brovaz - It Ain't What You Do
Cliff Richard - Santa's List
December 15
The Darkness - Christmas Time (When Will The Bells End?)/Friday Night
Craig David - You Don't Miss Your Water
Avid Merrion - Little Drummer Boy
