by Mikey (Gillingham, Kent, UK)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Speedway - Can't Turn Back The follow-up hit song to 'Genie In A Bottle', it looks like Speedway from Scotland are here to stay, great, this follow-up single 'Can't Turn Back' should do quite well, with a another storming rock anthem. This should do well, following its predecessor to the upper reaches within the Top 10 of the chart, following on the heels of Texas. Watch out for this band they are going to be HUGE.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Tears For Fears - Closest Thing To Heaven Tears For Fears founding members Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, reunited after more than a decade, have announced the completion of 'Everybody Loves A Happy Ending', their first album together since 1989's RIAA platinum The Seeds Of Love. The new album is scheduled to arrive in stores on April 6th, and will be preceded by its first single pick, "Closest Thing To Heaven", which is released this coming Monday. Welcome back! We all miss you.
Damien Rice - Volcano Irish songwriter Damien Rice scored a substantial hit with his debut album 'O'. A convincing record larger-than-life with elusive accompaniments which saw Rice heralded as the face of 2003.'Volcano' is the second single to be lifted from the album and is another inspiring piece of fragile prettiness from one of the most gifted artists to emerge in recent times.
Fatman Scoop feat. The Crooklyn Clan - It Takes Scoop Who do you associated with flying chickens, the answer is, Fatman Scoop the big heavyweight of hip-hop, with his second release 'It Takes Scoop'. This track is in the same vein as his last single 'Be Faithful', this time it samples 'It Takes Two', from Rob Base and DJ E Z Rock classic hit of the same name 'It Takes Two', which has been re-worked as 'It Takes Scoop'. With crazy shout-back demands from the crowds, this track is shaping up as a hip-hop classic.
Ferry Corsten - Rock Your Body Rock Trance hero Ferry Corsten is back on Positiva with the massive track 'Rock Your Body Rock' which is a fusion of hard beats, vocoded vocals and a catchy riff that has made this an instant anthem for clubbers world wide. The perfect dance anthem of the moment, for all clubbers unite, this is reminiscence of an old Moby hit, 'Rock Your Body'.
Ronan Keating - She Believes (In Me) Ronan Keating is back with another cover version, this time is own interpretation of an old Kenny Roger's hit 'She Believes (In Me)', just in time for Valentine's Day, it's a moving ballad which updates the sound of the original and adds a couple of new verses into the song. Grab your loved one and smooch along to this tune. 'She Believes (In Me)' will see Ronan recover his trophy as the king of UK pop.
Sam & Mark - With A Little Help From My Friends / Measure Of A Man Pop Idols runners-up Sam & Mark team up to re-record 'With A Little Help From My Friends' first written by The Beatles. Sam & Mark are hail to be the new Robson & Jerome, taking their cheesy pop to the new heights of the pop world. Wet Wet Wet also took this song to No.1 back in 1984. Other artists who had a hit record of this song are Young Idea and Joe Cocker.
School Of Rock - School Of Rock School of Rock, the single. Well, if you're going to do a pastiche you might as well crib from the best places. After that highly promising beginning School Of Rock - from the eponymous film - turns into something more like a Rocky Horror Show song, but that's no criticism. Jack Black has a very creditable rock voice - lots of snarling and sneering in the best tradition - and he's joined by an (unnamed) Janis Joplin sound-alike. When the ooo-la-la chorus kicks in the fun is complete. It may not be high art, but sit back and enjoy this for the uninhibited lark it is. Is that the sound of a guitar being smashed, by any chance...?
Stereophonics - Movie Star The Stereophonics return with yet another blast of rock'n'roll created to blow away those hangover cobwebs and welcome in the New Year. Recorded during the summer after 'You Gotta Go There To Come Back' was completed 'Moviestar' is further proof that Kelly Jones is one of the greatest songwriters of his generation. Here we have the Stereophonics at their finest - yet again! Kelly's gravelly tones overlaying the fantastic guitar playing that he seems to have accomplished since JEEP. A very mature sound that will, I guess, only improve with age and experience.
The Stands - Here She Comes Again Singer, guitarist and songwriter Howie Payne has developed his craft with differing line-ups through the now famous Bandwagon Club. Having settled on the personnel that appear on this album 'All Years Leaving' (Luke Thomson on guitar, Dean Ravera on bass and Steve Pilgrim on drums), the Stands began work on their debut album before they had even signed a record deal. Having won patronage from the father of Britpop, Noel Gallagher, they set out on a journey that has encompassed Top 40 hits, and now releasing their new single 'Here She Comes Again'.
The Strokes - Reptilia So two albums under their belt and The Strokes blatantly have a rigid formula, but oh boy what a formula it is. Reptilia bears all the hallmarks of a classic New York song, chugging backbeat, throbbing bassline and laconic Julian Casablancas sounding like he's singing through a megaphone. The difference this time is the ingenious way Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr's two guitars snap and interweave to produce one of the most exhilarating Strokes songs yet.
UD Project - Saturday Night Following the massive success of their European smash 'Summer Jam', the UD Project return with the equally infectious 'Saturday Night'. The track was produced by DJ F.R.A.N.K and is a light-hearted slice of fun with a hook that is currently working in clubs all over the country.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Armin Van Buuren - Blue Fear/Burned With Desire
Benny Benassi presents The Biz - No Matter What You Do
Chingy ft. Ludacris & Snoop Dogg - Holidae Inn
Crackout - This Is What We Do
Dave Clarke & Chicks On Speed - What Was Her Name?
Delerium ft. Nerina Pallot - Truly / Fearless
Hybrid - Higher Than A Skyscraper
Jagged Edge - Walked Outta Heaven
Joan Baez - In My Time Of Need
Kates - Suicide Valentine
Liars - There's Always Room On The Broom
Maupa - Helpless
Mavericks - Shine Your Light
Ohm - Forget Who We Are
Part Chimp - Bring Back The Sound
Poppyfields - 45rpm
Ram - For Your Love
Rapture - Love Is All/I Need Your Love
Sia - Don't Bring Me Down
Sleepy Jackson - Come To This
So Solid Crew - So Grimey
Span - Don't Think The Way They Do
The Crystal Method - Born Too Slow
The Jeevas - Have You Ever Seen The Rain
Trespassers William - Different Stars
Single Release Schedule
February 16
10,000 Things - Food Chain
Alex Parks - Cry
Alfie - No Need
Ana Ann - Children Of The World
Anjali - Rainy Day
Belle & Sebastian - I'm A Cuckoo
Bubba Sparxxx - Back In The Mudd
Busted - Who's David?
Cinnamon - Cakes And Pies
Clea - Stuck In The Middle
Crackout - This Is What We Do
Cribs - You Were Always The One
Cursive - Recluse
Death Cab For Cutie - New Year
Deepest Blue - Give It Away
Delerium featuring Nerina Pallot - Truly/Fearless
Dogs Die In Hot Cars - Man Bites Man EP
Dub Pistols - Soul Shaking
Earl Slick - Believe
Fun Lovin' Criminals - Beautiful
Hundred Reasons - What You Get
Ikara Colt - Wanna Be That Way
Jaga Jazzist - Day
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
Junior Senior - Shake Your Coconuts
Keane - Somewhere Only We Know
Kings Of Leon - California Waiting
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
Lydia Denker - One Perfect Day
Martina Topley-Bird - Soul Food
Mya - Fallen
Raghav - Can't Get Enough
Serge Vegas featuring Technical & Trios - Bad Girl
Slab - Fade Into You
Summer Matthews - Little Miss Perfect
Syntax - Message Bliss
The Stills - Lola Stars And Stripes
Tresspassers William - Lie In The Sound
Woodstar - Cold Cold Heart
February 23
50 Cent - If I Can't
Agnelli & Nelson - Hold Onto Nothing
Airbiscuit - Lately
Antoine featuring Kirsty R - Forever Autumn
Archie Bronson Outfit - Kangaroo Heart
Autamata - Jellyman
Black Grass - Going Home
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Six Barrel Shotgun
Blonde Redhead - Elephant Woman
Cribs - You Were Always The One
Despina Vandi - Gia
Eastern Lane - Saffron
Elbow - Not A Job
Fiery Furnances - Tropical Iceland
Her Space Holiday - My Girlfriend's Boyfriend
Icarus Line - Up Against The Wall
Jamelia - Thank You
John Frusciante - Shadows Collide With People
JX - Restless
Kelly Llorenna - This Time I Know It's For Real
Lautrec featuring Terry Hall - Things
Lemar - Another Day
Love Inc - Into The Night
Lowgold - Same Way
Master Blaster - Hypnotic Tango
Nic Armstrong - Broken Mouth Blues EP
Peter Andre - Mysterious Girl
Placebo - English Summer Rain
Republic Of Loose - Girl, I'm Gonna F**k You Up
Rude Rkade - Beautiful
Scott Brown - I Would Stay
Space - Suburban Rock 'N' Roll
Stellastarr* - My Coco
Stylus Junkies - Food For Thought
Tejo, Black Alien & Speed - Follow Me, Follow Me
Tiffany Gayle - Do You Wanna Dance?
VS - Love You Like Mad
Wayne Williams - All About The Sex
Westlife - Obvious
Wilshire - Special
Zero 7 - Home
March 1
Acoustic Love Experience - Painted Pony
Beenie Man - Dude
Blink-182 - I Miss You
Britney Spears - Toxic
Chicks On Speed - Wordy Rappinghood
Delta Goodrem - Predictable/Throw It Away
DJ Casper - Cha-Cha Slide
Elton John - The Heart Of Every Girl
Features - Way It's Meant To Be
Fountains Of Wayne - Stacy's Mom
FYA featuring Smujji - Must Be Love
George Michael - Amazing
Goldfrapp - Black Cherry
Gomez - Catch Me Up
Ilya - Bellissimo
Kylie Minogue - Red Blooded Woman
No Doubt - Bathwater/It's My Life
Northern Heightz - Look At Us
Paddy Casey - Saints And Sinners
Sarah McLachlan - Fallen
Starsailor - Four To The Floor
Tezla - All Night
The Mars Volta - Televators
The Shins - So Say I
Timbaland & Magoo featuring Missy Elliot - Cop That Disc
Velcra - Can't Stop Fighting
Weevil - No Harm EP
March 8
Aloud - Bob O'Lean
B2K - Badaboom
Chikinki - Like It Or Leave It
Counting Crows - Hanginaround
Cypress Hill - What's Your Number
Enrique Iglesias featuring Kelis - Not In Love
Evanescence - Imaginary
Graham Coxon - Freakin' Out
Haven - Wouldn't Change A Thing
Jamie Cullum - These Are The Days
Jennifer Lopez featuring R Kelly - Baby I Love U
Jet - Look What You've Done
Kurt Nilsen - She's So High
Laura Veirs - Cloud Room
Marques Houston featuring Joe Budden - Clubbin'
Moneybrother - Reconsider Me
My Red Cell - Knock Me Down
NERD - She Wants To Move
Nickelback - Feelin' Way Too Damn Good
Phixx - Love Revolution
Seraphim Suite - Heart
Special D - Come With Me
The Black Eyed Peas - Hey Mama
The Vines - Rides
Three Doors Down - Here Without You
March 15
Alistair Griffin - You And Me (Tonight)
Anastacia - Left Outside Alone
Atomic Kitten - Someone Like Me
B3 - Night Fever/I.O.I.O.
Bell X1 - Alphabet Soup
Courtney Love - Mono
Cypress Hill - What's Your Number?
Daniel Wylie - Make Love To The World
Dead Prez - Hell Yeah
Dido - Don't Leave Home
Four Tet - My Angel Rocks Back And Forth
Janet Jackson - Just A Little While
Katie Melua - Call Off The Search
Keisha White - Watcha Gonna Do
Kid Symphony - Meet You On The Other Side
Kraftwerk - Aero Dynamik
Mark Joseph - Bringing Back Those Memories
Nelly Furtado - Try
Simply Red - Home
The Killers - Somebody Told Me
Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris - Yeah
Will Young - Your Game
March 22
Amen - California's Bleeding
Blue - Breathe Easy
Enrique Iglesias featuring Kelis - Not In Love
G-Unit - Poppin' Them Things
Hayley Westenra - Wuthering Heights
KoRn - Y'all Want A Single
Missy Elliot - I'm Really Hot
Outkast - The Way You Move
So Solid Crew - So Grimey
Sugababes - In The Middle
The Darkness - Friday Night/Love Is Only A Feeling
Travis - Love Will Come Through
March 29
Beyonce featuring Lil' Kim - Naughty Girl
McFly - 5 Colours In Her Hair
Michelle - The Meaning Of Love
Ohm - Forget Who We Are
Pet Shop Boys - Flamboyant
Wiley - Wot Do U Call It?
April 5
Agnetha Faltskog - If I Thought You'd Change Your Mind
Alanis Morrisette - Everything
Bandits - No Shoes On My Feet
D-Side - Pushin' Me Out
Muse - Sing For Absolution
Ordinary Boys - Week In, Week Out
Pink - Catch Me While I'm Sleeping
April 12
Ashanti - Break Up 2 Make Up
Busted - Air Hostess
April 26
The Streets - You're Fit And You Know It
Natasha Bedingfield - Single
