Gillingham, Kent, UK (By Mikey)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Angel City ft. Lara McAllen - Love Me Right (Oh Sheila) The latest release from Data Records, the label that brought us Tomcraft's 'Loneliness' and Benny Benassi's 'Satisfaction', is another one of those dance tracks with a history as long as the Ministry of Sound guest list...in 1998 two Dutch producers remade a track called 'Oh Sheila' which had been a US hit back in 1985 for Ready For The World. In turn their version got bootlegged late last year and became a club hit in the north of England before coming to the attention of Data Records, who re-recorded the track adding vocals by Lara McAllen.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Atomic Kitten - If You Come To Me Taken from their forthcoming new album - 'Ladies Night'. This tune should be another huge hit for Natasha, Liz & Jenny, who have sold over four million records in the UK alone and recently had to postpone their UK tour because of the high demand for tickets. The UK's number one girl-band will be looking to pounce straight back into the UK charts with their stunning new up-tempo ballad, continuing their fun filled mission to re-write the pop bible with their anthemic new single.
Elbow - Fugitive Hotel It would be easy to dismiss this as nothing more than a weak imitation of Doves, and on first listen it wouldn't have sounded out of place on Lost Souls, but to take it at first sight would be a mistake. Even the most beautifully challenged find love eventually. Accompanying the usual band format are some high range strings, which add a slightly eerie atmosphere. I hear the words heartfelt and melancholic attached to this band every ten seconds, and the lyrics do seem to be caught up in some intrinsically sad or subdued part of life, but with that voice and choice of chords, what do you expect?
Dave Gahan - Bottle Living / Hold On The third single from Dave Gahan's debut solo album Paper Monsters, Bottle Living is one of the chunkiest, no-nonsense and enjoyable tracks. Bottle Living manages to document the seamy degradations of addiction while at the same time providing a thumping good rock song. "He's like a king without a crown / he wears it like a clown / watch him disappear / I wish he would come down"... There's some great guitar work, harmonica giving it a bluesy feel, and a heavy beat to take you along.
Thea Gilmore - Mainstream Thea Gilmore's lyrical machine gun targets the plastic pop of the music business, rocking it on it's heels and dancing on it's grave. 'Mainstream' is not however a political rant from someone out in the cold with nowhere to go, and without a whiff of a solution. It is a record made by an artist who has somehow carved out a place for herself, right in the centre of all things. It underlines the point that Thea Gilmore stand apart from the shallow frenzy of pop while managing to keep her shape, sharpness and satirical smile.
Kelis - Milkshake "The sexy debut single from her forthcoming album" says the blurb, and one listen to Milkshake will leave you in no position to argue. Written by Pharell Williams, produced by N*E*R*D and sung by one of hip-hop's finest female singers, Milkshake certainly has the lot. The grinding bassline and innuendo littered lyrics "My milkshake brings all to the yard / I could teach you but I'd have to charge" (make your own minds up there) make for what is a dirty track. Not dirty in the trashy Xtina (that's how you spell Christina now apparently) way, but dirty in a way that's bound to have you shaking your booty.
Kym Marsh - Sentimental The ex-Hear'say star's third single, the follow-up to 'Cry' and 'Come On Over' which hit the top 2 and top 10 respectively, is another mid-tempo pop-rock track from the Natalie Imbruglia or Sharleen Spiteri school of pop. Featuring on Kym's top 10 debut album 'Standing Tall', 'Sentimental' is a love song with, erm...sentimental lyrics, which should score another hit for the Wigan lass.
Mark Owen - Alone Without You Mark Owen returns with his follow-up single to 'Four Minute Warning' with a more pop sound with 'Alone Without You'. 'Alone Without You' is the second single to be lifted from Mark's forthcoming album 'In Your Own Time'. Mark wrote this track during his time away from the limelight and it almost got given to Atomic Kitten as it holds some resemblance to their previous hit of yester-year 'Whole Again', but it got reworked to follow in the success of his comeback single 'Four Minute Warning'.
Pink - Trouble Pink continues the rock theme of 'Feel Good Time', her last single which appeared on the Charlie's Angels soundtrack and hit the top 5, with the self-penned 'Trouble', which is a three-minute frenzy of non-stop guitar riffs and rock 'n' roll drumming. 'Trouble' is the raucous first single from the forthcoming album 'Try This', the much anticipated follow up to the multi platinum selling album 'Misunderstood'. Penned by Pink and produced by Tim Armstrong (of punk band Rancid).
Phixx - Hold On Me This electro-pop debut single from the five 'rejects' from Popstars: The Rivals comes as a bit of a surprise, because (a) it sounds like something by early 80's new romantics OMD, and (b) it is actually really good. Thanking their lucky stars that they weren't selected for One True Voice, Chris, Andrew, Peter, Mikey and Nikk teamed up with Lee from Blue, Bryan McFadden and others, and Liberty X-style, have recorded what promises to be an impressive debut album.
Scissor Sisters - Laura Pop music has exploded in an edgy, sexy, supremely tuneful commotion - thanks to the uncommonly brilliant sounds of the Scissor Sisters. There back from New York after the acclaimed cover of 'Comfortably Dumb' by Pink Floyd from last year. 'Laura' is a catchy glam-rocking groove that precedes the bands album and confirms the originality and concreteness of the project.
David Sneddon - Baby Get Higher Time is running out for David Sneddon, make or break time his contract is due to expire with his record label. Fame Academy winner David Sneddon is back with his fourth single 'Baby Get Higher'. This track was not on his debut album 'Seven Years Ten Weeks', but will feature on his forthcoming re-release of the album. The superb single is an uptempo stomper which sees Brian Rawling of Metrophonic Stable on production duties
Underworld - Born Slippy 2003 The past 10 years for Underworld have been defining for dance music. To celebrate their landmark achievement, release 'Anthology 1992-2002' - a double CD of their greatest hits. In conjunction to this, and due to popular demand, 'Born Slippy' has been reworked by Underworld and remixed by Paul Oakenfold and Atomic Hooligan. A special DVD release features a very special 4-minute Trainspotting video from Danny Boyle.
Holly Valance - State Of Mind Holly Valance crashes back onto the UK music scene this autumn with her scorching new single 'State Of Mind' taken from her second album of the same name. The track sees Holly embrace a new edgier sound with a strong 80's retro influence, mixing pop with rock, its kind of Bondie-esque, this song might work or not, depends on the fanbase. Produced by Mark And Jeff Taylor from the Metrophonic stable, the track is an infectious electro-pop song featuring an irresistible hook.
Wayne Wonder - Bounce Along Wayne Wonder returns with his follow-up single to 'No Letting Go'. 'Bounce Along' is one of those songs, which you either like or hate, as Bounce Along gets repeated several times over and over. This track is destined to follow in the successful footsteps of the superb dancehall hit 'No Letting Go' with it's feel good reggae vibes with a hint of R'n'B. 'Bounce Along' is the essential element required for a booty-shaking bonanza!
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
3 Inches Of Blood - Destroy The Orcs
Amplifier - The Consultancy
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - We're All Love
John Cale - Things
Eagle-Eye Cherry - Skull Tattoo
Dragster - Redneck
Freq Nasty feat. Rodney P - Come Let Me Know
Future Kings Of Spain - Hanging Around
Jarcrew - Paris & The New Math
Lomax - Modern Life
Massive Lust - Never
Katie Melua - The Closest Thing To Crazy / Call Off The Search
Mr Scruff - Giffin
Ralph Myerz And The Jack Herren Band - Casino
The Nextmen - Fire Walking
Pepe Deluxe - Ask For A Kiss
Pink Grease - Nasty Show
The Rain Band - Art Of Mass Destruction
Sikth - Scent Of The Obscene
The System presents Kerri B - If You Leave Me Now
Twilight Singers - Teenage Wristband
UB40 feat. United Colours Of Sound - Swing Low
The Warlocks - Baby Blue
Woodstar - Can't Let Go of Anything
Single Release Schedule
November 3
Blazin' Squad - Flip Reverse
Tim Burgess - Only A Boy
Mariah Carey - Bringin' On The Heartbreak
Johnny Cash - Hurt
Dashboard Confessional - Hands Down
Eastern Lane - Feed Your Addiction
Fight Club featuring Laurent Konrad - Spread Love
Goldfrapp - Twist
Matt Goss - I'm Comin' With Ya
Hiss - Back On The Radio
Hundred Reasons - The Great Test
Jet - Rollover DJ
R Kelly - Step In The Name Of Love/Thoia Thoing
Lee-Cabrera - Special
The Loose Cannons - Superstars
Lost Prophets - Burn Burn
Kylie Minogue - Slow
Ozzy & Kelly Osbourne - Changes
Miss Peppermint - Welcome To Tomorrow
Queens Of The Stone Age - Crawl Home
Reuben - Stuck In My Throat
Sensefield - I Refuse
The Wildhearts - Top Of The World
Robbie Williams - Sexed Up
November 10
Abs - 7 Ways
All American Rejects - The Last Song
Basement Jaxx featuring Dizzee Rascal - Lucky Star
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
The Cooper Temple Clause - Blind Pilot
Electric Soft Parade - Lose Yr Frown
Girls Aloud - Jump (For My Love)
Hazzards - Gay Boyfriend
Javine - Surrender (Your Love)
KoRn - Right Now
Linus Loves featuring Sam Obernik - Stand Back
Ludacris - Stand Up
Ronan Keating - Find The Words
Missy Elliot - Pass That Dutch
Vincent de Moor - Flowtation
Muse - Hysteria
Outkast - Hey Ya
Finley Quaye - Dice
Room 5 featuring Oliver Cheatham - Music And You
Britney Spears featuring Madonna - Me Against The Music
Stereophonics - Since I Told You It's Over
Usher - Confessions
November 17
Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead Or Alive 2003
Chemical Brothers - Get Yourself High
Evan Dando - It Looks Like You
Flip & Fill - Irish Blue
Enrique Iglesias - Addicted
Wyclef Jean & Missy Elliot - Party To Damascus
Alicia Keys - U Don't Know My Name
Lemar - 50/50
Limp Bizkit - Behind Blue Eyes
Linkin Park - From The Inside
Linus Loves featuring Sam Obernik - Stand Back
Ludacris - Stand Up
Lumidee - Crashing The Party
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
Meat Loaf - Man Of Steel
Mis-Teeq - Style
Alanis Morrisette - Eight Easy Steps
Alex Parks - Maybe That's What It Takes/Beautiful
Pet Shop Boys - Miracles
Liz Phair - Why Can't I*
Radiohead - 2+2=5
The Rapture - Sister Saviour
Busta Rhymes & Pharrell - Light Your Ass On Fire
Starsailor - Born Again
Shania Twain - When You Kiss Me/Up
Westlife - Mandy
The White Stripes - The Hardest Button To Button
November 24
Kelly Clarkson - Low/The Trouble With Love Is
The Coral - Bill McCai
D-Side - Real World
Jennifer Ellison - Bye Bye Boy
Gabrielle - You Used To Love Me
Delta Goodrem - Not Me, Not I
Iron Maiden - Rain Maker
Michael Jackson - One More Chance
Kira - Two Hearts
Lisa Maffia - Women Of The World
No Doubt - It's My Life
Offspring - Hit That
P.O.D. - Will You
Radical Noiz featuring Adeva - In And Out
S Club 8 - Tears On My Pillow/Don't Tell Me You're Sorry
Shane Ritchie - I'm Your Man
The Thrills - Don't Steal Our Sun
Despina Vandi - Gia
Will Young - Leave Right Now
Zutons - Pressure Point
December 1
Blu Cantrell featuring Ian Lewis - Make Me Wanna Scream
Harry Diamond & Lost Boys - I Need You Now
Dido - Life For Rent
Evanescence - My Immortal
Gareth Gates - Say It Isn't So
Gary Jules - Mad World
Summer Matthews - Little Miss Perfect
Rachel Stevens - Funky Dory
December 8
Christina Aguilera - The Voice Within
Big Brovaz - It Ain't What You Do
Blue & Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered
The Cheeky Girls - Have A Cheeky Christmas
Nelly Furtado - Powerless (Say What You Want)
Good Charlotte - Hold On/The Young And The Hopeless
Love Inc - Into The Night
Cliff Richard - Santa's List
Simply Red - You Make Me Feel Brand New
Texas - I'll See It Through
Justin Timberlake - I'm Lovin' It
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
December 15
The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)/Friday Night
Craig David - You Don't Miss Your Water
Four Poofs And A Piano - Camp Up Your Christmas
Billy Mack - Christmas Is All Around
Avid Merrion - Little Drummer Boy/Proper Chrimbo!
Sugababes - Too Lost In You
Travis - Beautiful Occupation
