By Mikey (Gillingham, Kent, UK)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Maroon 5 - Harder To Breathe Debut single from an edgier rock outfit from L.A. Maroon 5 hit the UK Charts with 'Harder To Breathe', taken from their album 'Songs About Jane'. 
Maroon 5, you could class them with the likes of Nickelback and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and they are the force to be reckoned with as a cool rock outfit to hit our British shores. The song 'Harder To Breath' is a rock anthem, for all rock bands, so watch out they are going to be huge in 2004.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Mr On vs. Jungle Brothers - Breathe Don't Stop This single covers Q-Tip's 'Breathe and Stop' and samples Michael Jackson hit 'Don't Stop (Til You Get Enough)', with an addictive hook and clever twist, which makes it just an addictive and infectious record to listen. Teaming up with the Jungle Brothers to deliver an outstanding hit on the dancefloors nationwide. Both songs put together makes a recipe for a great anthem and one hell of a bootleg to boot, with Mr. On stomping his own moniker on the song itself.
2Pac ft. Notorious BIG - Runnin' (Dying To Live) The two most legendary rappers, team up for the first tine on a posthumous hit 'Runnin' (Dying To Live)'. This is the most fitting tribute to both legendary rappers in the hip-hop industry.
Ryan Adams - So Alive The first single from Adam's Rock 'N' Roll album (that's the title) isn't quite the ironic post-modern statement that some might expect. He seems to be playing it straight here sounding like a cross between Morrissey and Bono on the verses, although he'd probably prefer to be compared to the likes of The Replacements, before launching into an ostensibly upbeat chorus that'll have indie kids jumping. While there might be a subtle undercurrent of misery, this is quite a refreshing, celebratory piece of guitar rock for 2004.
The Delays - Long Time Coming The penchant for UK guitar bands to seek out a late '60s sound seems to be gathering pace as this four-piece prove on their third single, which sounds uncannily like Bowie's 'Teenage Wildlife'. Whilst The Coral mine the rich seam that is Merseybeat, this lot are being likened to The Hollies. Hailing from Southampton, The Delays have a foot-tapper, which should see them breaking further into the Top 40 than their last single, 'Hey Girl'.
Easyworld - 'Til The Day (That I Die) Easyworld return with their second single 'Til the Day (That I Die), taken from their debut studio album 'Kill The Last Romantic'. The band come from Eastbourne, and this single, takes the soft approach from the norm of releasing a ballad, which promises high results for the band, to become one of the bands to watch out for this coming year.
Junior Jack - Da Hype One song you associate with Junior Jack is 'Make Luv' which was a No.1 hit last year, under the moniker of Room 5 featuring Oliver Cheatham, this time around he releases his new single 'Da Hype', which is an all-out dance anthem to hit the club circuit, this time round featuring Robert Smith from the 80s band - The Cure.
The Offspring - Hit That Does anyone remember 'Pretty Fly (For A White Guy'), an old No.1 hit for the Offspring, yes Offspring they're back, with their hottest, rockier, craziest lyrics to date, with their brand new release 'Hit That'. These guys should at least be applauded for being a little adventurous here. While there's a lot of by-numbers nu metal and 'punk' being churned out by their contemporaries, 'Hit That' combines guitars with some squelchy synthesiser noises and drum machine interludes.
Richard X vs. Javine - You Used To Hold Me So Tight Someone like Javine, who was obviously considered not right for what became Girls Aloud, comes from this scarred, more honest side of pop music, which is something I find very attractive. That's why pop slicker extraordinaire, Richard X hooked-up with leggy Popstars: The Rivals evictee Javine, and the result is a supremely funky slab of electro pop. You Used To Hold Me So Tight is actually an update of Thelma Houston's 'You Used To Hold Me So Tight', now boosted by a cacophony of electro tit bits and samples for good measure. It's one of those tunes that sound great anywhere on the radio, dancefloor or in the shower.
Scissor Sisters - Comfortably Numb This is the Pink Floyd song from The Wall but you've never heard it or imagined it to sound like this. These New York arty types have transformed it into a formidable Bee Gees style club track that's more widely accessible than post-psychedelic rock meets pounding beats should really be. This is largely down to the celebratory make over the 'Sisters have given it, providing an almost disco feel.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Bikini Atoll - Desolation Highway/Then Amplify
Contradiction - Guilty/Sweet Dreams
Empathy - Luminosity
Grand Transmitter - Under The Wheel EP
Longview - Still
Nina Jayne - Could've Been
Primero - White Flag/Naked In The Rain
Si Begg - Buss
Tatjana - Santa Maria
Tender Trap - �C�mo Te Llamas? (Tell Me Your Name)
The Bandits - The Warning
The Delays - Long Time Coming
The Offspring - Hit That
Zutons - Pressure Point
Single Release Schedule
January 26
Azure Ray - New Resolution
Beats For Beginners - When Robots Attack
Benny Benassi presents The Biz - No Matter What You Do
Brand Violet - Head
C & C Music Factory - Sweat
Celebrity Squares - King For A Day
Cinnamon - Cakes & Pies
Clarkesville - Spinning
Eberg - Plastic Lions
Emma - I'll Be There
Engerica - The Smell
Fight Club featuring Laurent Conrad - Spread Love
Five For Fighting - 100 Years
Freeland - Supernatural Thing
Hannah Jones - I Am What I Am/Bridge Over Troubled Water
Incubus - Megalomaniac
Jaimeson featuring Angel Blu & CK - Take Control
Jehst - Monotomy
Joss Stone - Fell In Love With A Boy
Kid Symphony - Hands On The Money
LMC vs. U2 - Take Me To The Clouds Above
Lorna - Papi Chulo... Te Traigo El Mmmm
Lostprophets - Last Train Home
Maupa - Helpless
Me Against Them - Soul Destroyer
Modey Lemon - Predator
P Diddy featuring Lenny Kravitz - Show Me Your Soul
Pink - God Is A DJ
Razorlight - Stumble And Fall
Sheryl Lee Ralph - In The Evening 2004
Simple Kid - Truck On
Snow Patrol - Run
Stylus Junkies vs. UB40 - Food For Thought
Suferosa - Neon Commando
Tali - Blazin'
The Mars Volta - Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)
The Veils - The Wild Son
Tim Deluxe - Mundaya
Tracey Brennecke - First To Know
Tube & Berger featuring Chrissie Hynde - Straight Ahead
Vinny Peculiar - Replica Shirt
Voodoo Child - Baby Monkey
Young Punx - Got Your Number
February 2
Alarm - 45rpm
Biz Markie featuring P Diddy - Turn Back The Hands Of Time
Black Grass - Going Home
Blazin' Squad - Here 4 One
Blueskins - Change My Mind
Brancaccio & Aisher - It's Gonna Be... (A Lovely Day)
Brand New - Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades
Calvin Richardson - I've Got To Move
Chicane featuring Bryan Adams - Don't Give Up 2004
Cleptomaniacs featuring Bryan Chambers - All I Do
Constantines - Night Time/Any Time
Ferry Corsten - Rock Your Body Rock
Finley Quaye - Something To Say
Funeral For A Friend - Escape Artists Never Die
G Club featuring Banda Sonara - Pressure Cooker
Impact - Mad World/If You Come To Me
John Squire - Room In Brooklyn
Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz - Get Low
Love Inc - Into The Night
Minus - Angel In Disguise
NG3 - Holler
Norah Jones - Sunrise
Obie Trice - The Set-Up (You Don't Know)
Oceansize - Catalyst
Ordinary Boys - Maybe Someday
Plumb - Real
Puerto Muerto - Stars
Shakedown - At Night
Span - Papa
Special Needs - Sylvia/Tarts
The Stranglers - Big Thing Coming
Summer Matthews - Little Miss Perfect
The Blueskins - Change My Mind
The Distillers - The Hunger
The Fiery Furnaces - Tropical Iceland
The Jeevas - Have You Ever Seen The Rain
Timbaland & Magoo featuring Missy Elliot - Cop That Disc!
UD Project - Saturday Night
Via Tania - Boltanski
Von Bondies - C'mon C'mon
February 9
Ana Ann - Children Of The World
Armin Van Buuren - Blue Fear/Burned With Desire
Clea - Stuck In The Middle
Crackout - This Is What We Do
Damien Rice - Volcano
Delerium featuring Nerina Pallot - Truly/Fearless
Fatman Scoop featuring The Crooklyn Clan - It Takes Scoop
Hybrid - Higher Than A Skyscraper
Ilya - Bellissimo
Jagged Edge - Walked Outta Heaven
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
Liars - There's Always Room On The Broom
Ohm - Forget Who We Are
Part Chimp - Bring Back The Sound
Ram - For Your Love
Ronan Keating - She Believes (In Me)
Sam & Mark - With A Little Help From My Friends/Measure Of A Man
School Of Rock - School Of Rock
Seraphim Suite - Heart
Sia - Don't Bring Me Down
So Solid Crew - So Grimy
Speedway - Can't Turn Back
Stereophonics - Movie Star
The Crystal Method - Born Too Slow
The Stands - Here She Comes Again
The Strokes - Reptilia
Trespassers William - Different Stars
February 16
1000 Things - Food Chain
Alex Parks - Cry
Alfie - No Need
Belle & Sebastian - I'm A Cuckoo
Bubba Sparxxx - Back In The Mudd
Busted - Who's David?
Chingy featuring Ludacris & Snoop Dogg - Holidae Inn
Crackout - This Is What We Do
Death Cab For Cutie - New Year
Deepest Blue - Give It Away
Dogs Die In Hot Cars - Man Bites Man EP
Earl Slick - Believe
Hundred Reasons - What You Get
Junior Senior - Shake Your Coconuts
JX - Restless
Kings Of Leon - California Waiting
Lowgold - Same Way
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
Mark Joseph - Bringing Back Those Memories
Martina Topley-Bird - Soul Food
Mya - Fallen
Northern Heightz - Look At Us
Raghav - Can't Get Enough
Serge Vegas featuring Technical & Trios - Bad Girl
The Stills - Lola Stars And Stripes
Syntax - Message Bliss
February 23
Agnelli & Nelson - Hold Onto Nothing
Airbiscuit - Lately
Antoine featuring Kirsty R - Forever Autumn
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Six Barrel Shotgun
Blink-182 - I Miss You
Britney Spears - Toxic
Courtney Love - Mono
Delta Goodrem - Predictable
Despina Vandi - Gia
Eastern Lane - Saffron
Fiery Furnances - Tropical Iceland
Jamelia - Thank You
JC Chasez - Some Girls (Dance With Women)
Kelly Llorenna - This Time I Know It's For Real
Lemar - Another Day
Master Blaster - Hypnotic Tango
Republic Of Loose - Girl, I'm Gonna F**k You Up
Scott Brown - I Would Stay
Space - Suburban Rock 'N' Roll
Stellastarr - My Coco
The Vines - Ride
Tiffany Gayle - Do You Wanna Dance?
Velcra - Can't Stop Fighting
VS - Love You Like Mad
Westlife - Obvious
Zero 7 - Home
March 1
Beenie Man - Dude
DJ Casper - Cha-Cha Slide
Elton John - The Heart Of Everything
Fountains Of Wayne - Stacy's Mom
Gomez - Catch Me Up
Kelly Osbourne - Come Dig Me Out
Kylie Minogue - Red Blooded Woman
Nelly Furtado - Forca
Starsailor - Four To The Floor
The Black Eyed Peas - Hey Mama
The Shins - So Say I
March 8
Cypress Hill - What's Your Number
George Michael - Amazing
Holly Valance - Desire
My Red Cell - Knock Me Down
Special D - Come With Me
March 15
Anastacia - Left Outside Alone
B3 - Night Fever/I.O.I.O.
Dido - Don't Leave Home
Four Tet - My Angel Rocks Back And Forth
Katie Melua - Call Off The Search
Kraftwerk - A�ro Dynamik
Outkast - The Way You Move
Will Young - Your Game
March 22
Missy Elliot - I'm Really Hot
Sugababes - In The Middle
March 29
Beyonce featuring Lil' Kim - Naughty Girl
McFly - 5 Colours In Her Hair
Pet Shop Boys - Flamboyant
April 5
Alanis Morrisette - Everything
April 11
Ashanti - Break Up 2 Make Up
Pink - Save My Life
N.B. All dates are subject to change
