Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Blondie - Good Boys Their last hit 'Maria' shot to the top and for some reason they never followed it up, but now they return with a monster of a hit. They have been around for the past four decades, with countless No.1s to boot. Yet another return for Ms Harry and the rest of Blondie, 'Good Boys' is slightly reminiscent of 'Heart of Glass', but maybe that's only wishful thinking. With remixes from 1980's production guru Giorgio Moroder, it's surprisingly good, fusing just enough pouting attitude with Blondie's trademark punky guitar and disco beats. 'Good Boys' is the first single to be taken from the eagerly awaited new album 'The Curse of Blondie' and by-heck it's been worth it!
HOT SHOT RECORD
Texas ft. Kardinal Offishall - Carnival Girl Texas return with the first release since their hugely successful Greatest Hits album with the lead single 'Carnival Girl' from the new album, 'Careful What You Wish For'. 'Carnival Girl' features the hot-as-a-pistol dancehall MC Kardinal Offishall to add an urban flavour, which seems to be taking over the charts at the moment. Sharleen has embraced influences such as Debbie Harry of Blondie, Siouxsie Sioux of The Banshees and even her mate Madonna to produce a stunning set of songs, but 'Carnival Girl' is proof that Texas are willing to take chances musically. This is the first time they sound like the Texas of old. Even so, it's a significant musical development. This cracking song is a real grower!
Beyonce ft. Baby Boy In the wake of her previous summer blockbuster 'Crazy in Love', Beyonce comes back to the public consciousness with a sure-shot collaboration with dancehall king Sean Paul for 'Baby Boy', the second single to be taken from the smash number one solo debut album 'Dangerously In Love'. Produced by former Dr. Dre prot�g� Scott Storch, the beat is a mix of dancehall bass arrangement, Eastern strings, clicktrack drums and various synth manoeuvres, mostly light touches to accentuate Beyonce's breathy, seductive vocals while Sean's hard-line monotone develops an interesting contrast.
B2K - Uh Huh 2003 R&B quartet B2K follow their recent Top 10 UK Single Chart success with a brand new 2003 Ron G remix of 'Uh Huh' - the Billboard Sales Chart #1 from last year. Their current album 'Pandemonium!' has been deleted to make way for the Platinum Edition album repackage released a week after this single. 'Uh Huh' is the song that introduced B2K to the world' it's infectious as the material shows a pretty mature sound in the urban boyband. Charismatic and utterly charming, the foursome are superb in what will become their signature track. This one is full of everything hip-hop with 'on the very edge' inflection and mega up-beat messages to thrill their die-hard fans.
Blur - Good Song Freshly picked from the critically acclaimed album 'Think Tank' is the track 'Good Song'. This track is almost frustrating in that it shows that Blur has all the potential in the world to write a simple, yet profound song. Albarn can say it all while saying very little with lines like, 'TV's dead and there ain't no war / in my head'. 'Good Song' really is good with a mellow bass line and sweet horns creating a Marvin Gaye vibe.
Boysterous These guys are making a mega impact on the scene. Built by the voting process of 'online POP' the foursome are recreating the big bang theory with the aid of some of the biggest songwriters the singles market has experienced. They're out in full force and bringing their catchy poppy ram-it-in-your-head tune 'Up And Down' with infectious hooks that are destined for great things to happen. You have been warned!
Coral - Secret Kiss 'Secret Kiss' is the third single from their number one album 'Magic and Medicine'. The organ-driven track owes such an obvious debt to The Doors. They haven't just taken an element of The Doors - the lyrics and the way they are sung and structured are borrowed heavily from The Doors too, which could only be a good influence! Just when you thought the band couldn't get better�!
Fast Food Rockers - Say Cheese (Smile Please) It's the return of the primary-coloured outfits, squeaky vocals, and irritating yet infectious lyrics. Yes, the Fast Food Rockers are about to release their next single. We last saw them earlier this year singing about multi-national corporations on the 'Fast Food Song'; now they're back with 'Say Cheese (Smile Please)' a song about spreading happiness throughout the world. That's all we need!
Funeral For A Friend - She Drove Me To Daytime Television / Bullet Theory Fresh from their debut single entering the UK charts at #19 and scooping Best British Newcomer at this year's Kerrang Awards, Funeral For A Friend release their new (double A side) single 'She Drove Me To Daytime Television' and 'Bullet Theory'. It shows a great deal of Finch with guitars that are melodically complex as they weave through the melody as lead singer Matt shows off his vocal range on the track. Be sure to check the guitars on this track!
Killing Joke - Seeing Red 'Seeing Red' is the second release off the self-titled album by the punk/grunge attitude from Chicago that is Killing Joke. The Lords of darkness return, with Dave Grohl on drums. The jackhammer blitzkrieg of 'Seeing Red' captures the band back to their apocalyptic best. Old fans are reassured: the molten dynamite guitars, explosion-in-a-bass bin rhythms and Coleman's signature death-knell vocals are all present in spades!
Stagecoach ft. Penny Foster - Angel Looking Through Stagecoach Theatre Arts operates the UK's largest network of part-time performing arts schools for young people aged between 4 to 16. They took part in a star-studded charity Sing A Single performance at London's Royal Albert Hall to raise money for Milly's Fund, which promotes safety for children and young people. They team up with 3,000 other Stagecoach performers from across the UK to create a chart-topping single, with the Royal Albert Hall audience having the final say in which song is to be recorded. Proceeds from the concert are for the fund and 50pence from every CD sold goes towards Inter Active Inclusive Workshops - a performance workshop programme for children and teenagers with special needs.
Strokes - 12:51 '12:51' is the long awaited single from the New York rockers second album 'Room On Fire' to follow the successful debut album 'Is This It'. The Strokes aficionados will not be disappointed with the glorious new wave inferno track that is destined for the rock'n'roll dancefloors. Julian Casablancas continues to defy his privileged upbringing and sings the defiant lyrics with passion. The Strokes seem to have moved on, in fact, they've got better (if the Tron-esque video is anything to go by!), which will leave fans on both sides of the atlantic truly satisfied.
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Coma Girl Strummer, the snarling punk icon and former singer-songwriter for The Clash, tragically passed away on December 22, 2002 at the age of 50. His final album with his band The Mescaleros, entitled 'Streetcore' was largely finished prior to the former Clash member's untimely death. 'Coma Girl', the first single to be released, is the album's standout track: an affectionate rocker of a tune, inspired by Strummer's seventeen-year-old daughter, Lola.
Suede - Attitude 'Attitude' is Suede's 20th single and one of their most insanely catchy tracks to date. As a pre-cursor to the forthcoming best-of album 'Suede Singles', the single is formatted to celebrate the band's past, present, and future in keeping with the album. 2 of the 3 formats feature the incredible 'Attitude' short film starring legendary British actor John Hurt which is a must see for any Suede or cinema fan.
Paul Van Dyk ft. Vega 4 - Tome Of Our Lives / Connected 'Time Of Our Lives' is the second single to released from Paul Van Dyk's 'Reflections' album, and it is the first collaboration with the London-based rock band Vega 4. 'Time Of Our Lives' is a very catchy tune which represents what is perhaps the far end of the spectrum for Paul van Dyk on 'Reflections', being the most rock-influenced, broadcast radio-friendly song. The B-side is 'Connected', a searing dancefloor-rattling track characterised by a brutally hard-hitting 4/4 kick on the intro with achingly harmonic synth chord progressions which dance throughout the track. It was also the featured soundtrack to the Paul van Dyk/Motorola TV commercial.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Alkaline Trio - All On Black
Ashiva - Sunrise
Beats For Beginners - Kill All DJ's
Bell X1 - Snakes & Snakes
Butterfly Boucher - I Can't Make Me
Capdown - New Revolutionaries
Dem Lott Family - Weekend
Dub Pistols - Problem Is
The Duke Spirit - Roll, Spirit, Roll
Easyworld - 2nd Amendment
Iron & Wine - The Sea & The Rhythm
Paul Jackson - Rock 'N' Roll / The Way We Do It
Jehst - Run Hard
Kealer - Missing For Days
Lovebug - Who's The Daddy?
Lowgold - We Don't Have Much Time
Meeker - Save Me
NFD - Break The Silence
Santana feat. Alex Band - Why Don't You & I
Spearmint - Left Alone Among The Living
System feat. Kerri B - If You Leave Me Now
Thrice - All That's Left
Emma Warren - Wants U Back
Amy Winehouse - Stronger Than Me
Single Release Schedule
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
DJ Bobo - Chihuahua
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
Keane - This Is The Last Time
Kira - Two Hearts On Fire
Kosheen - Wasting My Time
Nodesha - Get It Whilst It's Hot
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
Scooter - Maria (I Like It Loud)
Sugababes - Hole In The Head
Super Furry Animals - Hello Sunshine
Tatjana - Santa Maria 2003
Thicke - When I Get You Alone
Tindersticks - Sweet Oblivion
Tomcraft - Brainwashed
Twen2y 4 Se7en - Patiently Waiting
UB40 - Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Luther Vandross - Lovely Day/Dance With My Father
Wyclef - Industry
October 20
Acoustic Love Experience - Painted Pony
Angel City featuring Lara McAllen - Love Me Right
Ashanti - Rain On Me
Basement Jaxx featuring Dizzee Rascal - Lucky Star
Daniel Bedingfield - Friday
Big Ang featuring Siobhan - It's Over Now
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
Space Cowboy - Crazy Talk
Stacie Orrico - (There's Gotta Be) More To Life
Outlandish - Aicha
Simply Red - You Make Me Feel New
Obie Trice - Got Some Teeth
Ian Van Dahl - I Can't Let You Go
Maria Willson - Mr. Alibi
October 27
Atomic Kitten - If You Come To Me
Matt Darey featuring Marcella Woods - Voice Of An Angel
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 featuring Madonna - 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
Melanie C - Yeh Yeh Yeh/Melt
Electric Soft Parade - Lose Your Frown
Delta Goodrem - Not Me, Not I
Enrique Iglesias - Addicted
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
Jennifer Ellison - Bye Bye Boy
Fame Academy Winner - TBA
Flip & Fill - Irish Blue
Alicia Keys - U Don't Know My Name
Lady May featuring Blu Cantrell - Round Up
Linkin Park - From The Inside
Lisa Scott-Lee - I'll Wait For You/U Sure Do
Mis-Teeq - Crossroads
Alanis Morrisette - Eight Easy Steps
Rachel Stevens - Funky Dory
Starsailor - Born Again
November 24
Kelly Clarkson - Low
Girls Aloud - Jump
Radical Noiz featuring Adeva - In And Out
Will Young - Leave It Right Now
December 1
Harry Diamond & Lost Boys - I Need You Now
Nelly Furtado - Powerless (Say What You Want)
December 8
Big Brovaz - It Ain't What You Do
Cliff Richard - Santa's List
Justin Timberlake - I'm Lovin' It
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
December 22
Blue & Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered
