By Mikey (Gillingham, Kent, UK)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Nelly Furtado - Powerless (Say What You Want) The Canadian songstress best known for her debut single 'I'm Like a Bird' returns after the birth of her daughter 
with this unusual tune which features samples of Malcolm McLaren's 80's hoe-down hit 'Buffalo Gals', and a banjo! But don't hold that against it - after a few listens, 'Powerless' will have grown on you so much you might even find yourself heading off to the shop to buy a copy, taken from her album release 'Folklore'.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Evanescence - My Immortal The belatedly Halloween-y third single to be taken from Evanescence's album 'Fallen', is another atmospheric tune which explodes into life halfway through when the whole band kicks in. You might be already familiar to this track as it was featured on the Daredevil soundtrack alongside their first single 'Bring Me To Life'. Clannad sound-a-likes Evanescence hit the headlines lately when founder member Ben Moody walked out of the band's US tour - watch this space to find out whether he has quit for good, or whether he'll be reunited with his bandmates.
Christina Aguilera - The Voice Within The fifth single to be taken from Christina's multi-platinum album 'Stripped' is Whitney Houston-y ballad, which gives the star a chance to show off her vocal gymnastics over the festive season. Reaching a dramatic crescendo as Christina belts out the chorus over a gospel choir backdrop, 'The Voice Within' is another vocal triumph for the Staten Island songtress.
Big Brovaz - It Ain't What You Do Big Brovaz are back with their fifth single 'Ain't What You Do' which is the perfect party tune for the festive season. It's a quirky reworking of the 80's hit, sung by Bananarama and Fun Boy Three peaking at No.4, in the early 80s, but with Big Brovaz adding their own distinctive touch of bling.
The Cheeky Girls - Have A Cheeky Christmas If you like novelty or party songs this is for you, if you don't, just don't buy the record. You either like 'em or hate 'em, Transylvanian twins are back with another dose of unforgettable limited lyrical poptastic jingle for the festive season. 'Have A Cheeky Christmas' is a cheesy novelty track that has chart-topper written over it.
Good Charlotte - Hold On / The Young and the Hopeless 'Hold On' is the fourth single to be taken from the 'Young And The Hopeless' album by Good Charlotte. The release is a double A-side featuring the title track off the album and 'Hold On'. 'Hold On' is the bands 'message through song' to youth who look towards suicide as an answer to their problems.
Alicia Keys - You Don't Know My Name Alicia Keys is back with her brand new second album 'The Diary Of Alicia Keys' which sees a perfect progression from 'Songs In A Minor'. 'You Don't Know My Name' is the first single to be taken from the album and witnesses Alicia's diversity in range and style. The track describes the journey of a secret crush over a catchy beat that destines this track as a classic.
John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) John's fifth solo single gets a re-release again for the festive season. 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' was credited to John, Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band with The Harlem Community Choir. The personnel for the Plastic's this time comprised, John, Hugh McCraken, Nicky Hopkins, Jim Keltner and Yoko. Again Phil Spector assisted with the producing. This was the first Lennon single not to feature the Apple logo on the record label. As with 'Sometime in New York City' it was replaced with the John and Yoko "merging heads" design.
The Lost Brothers - Cry Little Sister (I Need U Now) 'Cry Little Sister (I Need U Now)' is based around the theme tune from the cult '80s bratpack film The Lost Boys. This remake keeps all the main elements of the haunting original, including the memorable atmospheric noises and child's choir. The track also features the vocals of Gerard McMahon who wrote and performed the original version.
Madonna - Nothing Fails / Love Profusion This beautiful ballad has easily become everyone's favourite album track. 'Nothing Fails' is an affecting love song to her husband. Her feelings are best described in the fantastic climax, featuring a trio of gospel choir, a choir of Madonna, and the lead vocals: 'I'm not religious/But I feel so moved/Makes we want to pray'. Attesting to the transformative power of love, Madonna's sincerity is apparent more so than on any other song. Madonna takes on the role of Joni Mitchell as she uses her folk song writing techniques with an electro twist on 'Love Profusion'. 'Love Profusion' starts out light and unadorned, until beats build around the guitar she's playing. This time the track is an ode to children as well as Guy Richie with the lyrics 'And I know I can feel bad/When I get in a bad mood/And the world can look so sad/Only you make me feel good'.
Noddy - Make Way For Noddy! It's novelty time again, this one is for the little children, make way for Noddy, the biggest pre-school TV character ever. With 50 years of history behind him, he's back with his theme tune 'Make Way For Noddy'. Be prepared, for Noddy fever is coming to strike us one more time! And it doesn't end there, be warned Basil Brush is releasing an Xmas record. Boom! Boom!
Kelly & Ozzy Osbourne - Changes Ozzy Osbourne and his offspring Kelly are making a joint effort to add some seasonal cheer by releasing a duet of 'Changes'. This is the first time Ozzy and Kelly have sung together on record. The original version of the classic 'Changes' appeared on Black Sabbath's Volume Four in 1972, but the words have been re-written to reflect the relationship between a father and daughter as they grow older.
Cliff Richard - Santa's List Cliff is back with a song that has never been recorded before! 'Santa's List' is co written by Chris Eaton (who also gave us 'Saviours Day') and is taken from his new festive album 'Cliff At Christmas'. The single also includes the title track from a Christmas cartoon called 'Its A Boy!' and is guaranteed to get you into the spirit of the season!
Rachel Stevens - Funky Dory 'Funky Dory' is the second single to be taken from the debut album of the same name by the Simon Fuller's pop production machine gem Rachel Stevens. The track continues in the same vain as 'Sweet Dreams My LA Ex' with its elegant pop/RnB rhythm with a hint of latin, delivered in a relentlessly cool and solid style. There is also a side of experimentation showing through on the album's title track as it samples David Bowie's 'Andy Warhol' from his 'Hunky Dory' album. Do you see what see did there!
Sting ft Mary J. Blige - Whenever I Say Your Name Sting returns with 'Whenever I Say Your Name', the beautiful duet with Mary J Blige. This is the second single form Stings latest studio album 'Sacred Love' which is simply his best selling album in years. The remixes by Black Eyed Peas Will.I.Am and Asian producer Salaam Remi provide the track with a more urban edge.
Texas - I'll See It Through 'I'll See It Through' is the second single from the album 'Careful What You Wish For'. This compelling ballad was co-written by Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams) featuring his haunting piano motif that punctuates the track, which sounds like Pretenders hit 'I Go To Sleep'. There is a Guy Chambers mix on the maxi CD along with a Roger Sanchez remix and two brand new tracks. The two-track CD includes the classic hit 'Tired Of Being Alone', which has never featured on any Texas album. 'I'll See It Through' features on the soundtrack to the new Richard Curtis film 'Love Actually'.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Belasco - 15 Seconds
Buffseeds - Sparkle Me
Client - Here And Now
David Bowie - Never Get Old / Waterloo Sunset
Fall - (We Wish You) A Protein Christmas
Finger Eleven - Good Times
Great Depression - Sargasso Sea
Houston 500 - Queen Of The Crackwhores
Kathy Brown - Never Again
Kill Kenada - Red And Black
KoRn - Right Now
Moutain Goats - Palmcorder Yajna
My Chemical Romance - Honey This Mirror Isn't Big Enough For The Two Of Us
Pretty Girls Make Graves - All Medicated Geniuses
Punk Aid - Ere's Your Xmas
Raveonettes - Heartbreak Stroll
Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell
Servant - Orchestra
The Mountain Goats - Palmcorder Yajna
Young Circle - Vive les enfants d'amour
Yuppie Flu - Food For The Ants
Single Release Schedule
December 15
Atomic Kitten featuring Kool & The Gang - Ladies' Night
Avid Merrion - Proper Crim-bo!
Basil Brush - Boom Boom!
Billy Mack - Christmas Is All Around
Blue featuring Stevie Wonder & Angie Stone - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
Different Darkness - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Darkness
DMX - Get On The Floor
Erin Rocha - Can't Do Right For Doing Wrong
Fast Food Rockers - I Love Christmas
G-Unit - Stunt 101
Joe Strummer - Redemption Song/Arms Aloft
Justin Timberlake - I'm Lovin' It
Kujay Dada - Young Hearts
Lisa Maffia - Women Of The World
Mew - She Came Home For Christmas/That Time On The Ledge
Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules - Mad World
Nightlife - Shining Star
Partyboys - Build Me Up Buttercup
Sugababes - Too Lost In You
The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)
The Idols - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Travis - The Beautiful Occupation
Turbonegro - Sell Your Body
Ultrabeat - Feeling Fine
Young Punx - Got Your Number
Wyclef Jean featuring Missy Elliot - Party To Damascus
December 29
Alistair Griffin - Bring It On/Lover's Prayer
CJ Stone - Don't Look Back
Jaydee - Plastic Dreams
Ocean Colour Scene - Golden Gate Bridge
S Club 8 - Don't Tell Me You're Sorry
Sophie Ellis Bextor - I Won't Change You
Stacie Orrico - I Promise
Victoria Beckham - Let Your Head Go/This Groove
January 5
Basement Jaxx featuring Lisa Kekaula - Good Luck
Fight Club - Spread Love
Flip & Fill featuring Junior - Irish Blue
Kelis - Milkshake
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
Motorcycle - As The Rush Comes
NG3 - Holler
Peaches featuring Iggy Pop - Kick It
Pop Idol Winner - TBA
REM - Animal
Scott Brown - I Would Stay
Sean Paul featuring Sasha - I'm Still In Love With You
So Solid Crew - So Grimy
January 12
2-Play - So Confused
Air - Cherry Blossom Girl
Alex Gold - Electric Places
Amy Studt - All I Wanna Do
Beyonc� - Me, Myself And I
Damien Rice - Volcano
Finley Quaye - Something To Say
Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
HIM - Funeral Of Hearts
Jimmy Edgar - Access Rhythm
Liberty X - Everybody Cries
Metallica - The Unnamed Feeling
The Strokes - Reptilia
Zutons - Pressure Point
January 19
Abs - 7 Ways
DJ Casper - Cha Cha Slide
Fountains Of Wayne - Stacey's Mum
JC Chasez featuring Dirt McGirt - Some Girls
Lorna - Papi Chulo... Te Traigo El Mmmm
Mr On vs. Jungle Brothers - Breathe Don't Stop
Offspring - Hit That
Pet Shop Boys - Flamboyant
Pink - God Is A DJ
Razorlight - Stumble And Fall
Ryan Adams - So Alive
Tender Trap - �C�mo Te Llamas? (Tell Me Your Name)
The Bandits - The Warning
January 26
Blazin' Squad - Here For One
C & C Music Factory - Sweat
Clea - Stuck In The Middle
Courtney Love - Mono
DJ Pezario vs. UB40 - Food For Thought
Emma - I'll Be There
Hundred Reasons - What You Get
Jaimeson - Take Control
Joss Stone - Fell In Love With A Boy
LMC vs. U2 - Take Me To The Clouds Above
Lostprophets - Last Train Home
Louise - Never Again
Snow Patrol - Run
Summer Matthews - Little Miss Perfect
Tim Deluxe - Mundaya
Von Bondies - C'mon C'mon
February 2
Busted - Air Hostess
Calvin Richardson - I've Got To Move
Ferry Corsten - Rock Your Body Rock
Hilary Duff - Why Not?
Holly James - Touch It
Longview - Still
The Distillers - Hunger
Triple Eight - You And I
February 9
Alex Parks - Cry
Armin Van Buuren - Blue Fear/Burned With Desire
Despina Vandi - Gia
Fatman Scoop - It Takes Two
Holly Valance - Desire
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
Outkast - The Way You Move
February 16
Junior Senior - Coconuts
The Stills - Lola Stars And Stripes
February 23
Jamelia - Thank You
