by Jenny (London, UK)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
REM - Leaving New York: What can you say about one of the greatest bands of the last 50 years, for starters R.E.M. have redefined rock music on a permanent scale, and have just released one of the best singles the last 25 years. The song and the album have a flow that resembles AUTOMATIC: they have just raised the bar of modern expressive rock to a new level that very few bands can even come close to matching in they're (genre that is) sound. 
The sound of 'Leaving New York' makes you understand why they are who they are... the best American alternative rock band ever appeared (the track also is just sooooo, radio-friendly!) I haven't visited ever New York, but I know how this song affects my feelings every time I leave my city, London...
HOT SHOT RECORD
Beverley Knight - Not Too Late For Love: As 'Not Too Late for Love' portrays an escalation from latter singles in the way of soul balladry. The second single and hearing it, I remember the original Motown sound: where this young British feme is hidden this GREAT voice? There aren't many words to express something about this tack. You 'll sing it when you listen it during the noon at the office, during the traffic or within the nights. A perfect 'bridge' song for the radios, very mature and very nostalgic at the same time - a subtle classic, no doubt!
Ashlee Simpson - Pieces Of Me: I was very surprised when I first saw the video for this and I thought Ashlee's song was really impressive and that she'd be giving Jessica a run for her money. In the video she comes off as this mature teenager/young adult singing a Pop song with an edge and she appears to be very different from her older sister Jessica, physically and musically. She sounds a bit like Jessica but their voices are totally different. Ashlee's voice was basically made for Pop/Rock. Anyway, the song's really nice and it's interesting, and it doesn't sound anything like Jessica's music.
Big Brovaz - Yours Fatally: This is the lead track from their forthcoming second album. I don't know why it is, but vocal tracks are getting very popular lately. And I don't mind at all! They are way nice and bring more meaning to the songs. Opting for a more mature, slick sound, this atmospheric single features a piano motif from Debussy�s Clair De Lune.
It is a remix of 'Yours Fatally' so you might have a clue what it must be like. This one is a good singalong tune with pretty woman vocals, for the ladies as the mcs love to say. It highlights once again Cherise, Nadia and Dion�s faultless vocals...
Bill Wyman feat. The Rhythm Kings - That's How Heartaches Are Made Ten years after leaving the Rolling Stones, Bill Wyman continues his blues odyssey with a brand new album. 'Just For A Thrill' sees the former Stone tackle material from the past and present. Class kicks – in with the divinely soulful That's How Heartaches Are Made (best track of the lot) as Beverly Skeete takes the lead with her finely tuned dulcet tones.
The Cheeky Girls - Cheeky Flamenco: The first track from their forthcoming album - which is due for a December release - and the girls is releasing 'Cheeky Flamenco.' probably, when Green Day wrote the 'American Idiot' had something similar in their minds. I can't believe there is anyone who is going to buy this track which is great for a TV adv of junk food! Don't forget that this track will be followed by another single Start Your Engine Baby in October. So, be carefull... :-)
David Morales (With Lea Lorien) - How Would U Feel: Thunderpuss, I always rolled my eyes whenever I saw a David Morales remix on anything, and sat wondering who on earth would pay this man to produce yet another plunky piano house mix that everyone knows would never be played in any club worth going to. This one grabbed me from the first listen and has only grown on me. David's sound is essentially the same as it always was except for the addition of some minor tribal-esque cross-rhythms, but something about it holds my attention more than usual. The vocalist (Lea Lorien) and lyrics are what really make the song - her earnest delivery is memorable and the lyrics are a step above the average love song.
Deep Dish - Flashdance: This is my tune of the summe! Heard it couple of times on Radio 1 then last night again. Can't wait to hear more of their stuff. Alongside the original are storming new remixes from Skylark (aka Nic Fancuilli); a major breaks mix from Meat Katie; Germany's Raul Rincon, who injects a hefty shot of funk for his outstanding remix; and an electro-tinged rerub courtesy of David Guetta.
Jessica Simpson - Take My Breath Away the second "Simpson' sister on our reviews for this week. if you are under 20, then you don't really care for the original version of "Take My Breath Away". But, for all the others (us) some tracks can't be covered. The original version by Berlin (with G. Moroder production) from Top Gun soundtrack, is just THE TRACK. Jessica Simpson has a really unique vocal range but she needs more more mature and growth to sing a song like this one.
Khia - My Neck, My Back (Lick It): If you've only heard this song on the radio then you got hooked! I find the lyrics shocking just like everyone else, but I'm not afraid to say that they also get me a little excited. For those of you who are easily offended, or even difficult to offend, don't even consider listening to this song. But for the scant few who enjoy sex and sexy music, this is a song you might enjoy. the track is going to be released with a TWO-YEAR DELAY in Britain. For everyone out of UK, this will be another joke for our chart with the oldier songs worldwide! (note: this isn't a fault by OCC or our radio stations, but from the records companies).
Lisa Stansfield - Easier/Treat Me Like A Woman Lisa is Britain's original BIG LADY of "Blue-Eyed Soul'! This single features as well as the album version of 'Treat Me Like A Woman', a brand new version of one of Lisa's most sought after tracks 'Big Thing'! The new version has been produced by Ian Devaney. Lisa's new album 'The Moment' will be available from 27th September 2004. Also the new album 'Moment' features the single 'Treat Me Like a Woman' along with a version of Prefab Sprout's 'When Love Breaks Down', which Paddy McAloon wrote a brand new verse for.
The title track of the album 'The Moment' is a collaboration between Lisa, Ian, Richard Darbyshire and Trevor Horn, who of course produced the album." The 3rd track on the single is a remix of 'Treat Me Like A Woman' by Taz Mattar.
Melissa Auf der Maur - Taste You: Another Canadian worlwide sucecss story: Melissa Auf der Maur! She was fortunate to experience the mid '90s alternative rock explosion firsthand, witnessing its rise and eventual fall from the stage. In an era overrun with uber-cool female bass players like Kim Gordon, Kim Deal, and D'Arcy Wretzky, the Montreal, Quebec native was among the best of the bunch. The erotically/loved charged "Taste You" has more of a pop rock feel, resembling the best tracks on 'Celebrity Skin.' Auf der Maur's lyrics, always is almost embarrassing, as she dares to sing such nauseating lines as, "Plug it in, so I can digest you/ I will taste you/ My appetite in that hole."
Ronan Keating - I Hope You Dance: 'I Hope You Dance' is the first single release from Ronan's Greatest Hits album, due out before Christmas. It's a cover of the old Lee Ann Womack country song, continuing Ronan's run of country covers. He's never had a single outside the Top 10, having released 16 singles with Boyzone and 11 as a solo artist. After his latest collaboration with Lee Ann Rimes it seems that Ronan finds his real music 'destination' on country music roots (this will be a new start-up for Ronan's career, espacially at US).
Super Furry Animals - The Man Don't Give A F**k: If you've heard one Furries track, it might well be this one. It starts as its always does, with a quote from the late, great Bill Hicks, which states that all governments are liars. Its typical Bill Hicks, with screaming political fury condensed into comedy. And as soon as I hear it, I know what it means. it is a political anthem song, which is 'flashing on George Bush and Tony Blair issues. 'Man Don't give a F**k' is absolutely amazing. Fast, incendiary and with a heavy enough bassline to have the entire floor of Furries fans jumping up and down in exact unison and screaming the following...
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
September 27
Ashlee Simpson - Pieces Of Me
Athlete - Wires
Beverley Knight - Not Too Late For Love
Big Brovaz - Yours Fatally
Bill Wyman feat. The Rhythm Kings - That's How Heartaches Are Made
Boxer Rebellion - Code Red
Butterfly Boucher - Another White Dash
Caspa Codina - Tell Me
The Cheeky Girls - Cheeky Flamenco
Danny Howells & Dick Trevor feat. Erire - Dusk Till Dawn
Dark Globe feat. Amanda Ghost - Feed
David Morales - How Would U Feel
De La Soul - Shopping Bags (She Got From You)
Deep Dish - Flashdance
Duke Spirit - Cuts Across The Land
Gisli - TV = The Devil
Gretchen Peters - Tomorrow Morning
Help She Can't Swim - Bunty vs. Beano
Hundred Reasons - How Soon Is Now?
Jentina - French Kisses
Jessica Simpson - Take My Breath Away
Khia - My Neck, My Back (Lick It)
Kontakt - Sweet Dreams
Lisa Stansfield - Easier/Treat Me Like A Woman
MC Solaar - La Vie Est Belle
Melissa Auf der Maur - Taste You
Minnie Driver - Everything I've Got In My Pocket
Miss Kitten - Requiem For A Hit
Mooney Suzuki - Alive And Amplified
Motormark - Eat, Drink, Sleep, Think
Mutiny feat. Lorraine Cato - Holding On
Nightbreed - Pack Of Wolves
Plastic Heroes - Mary B
Puscha - Steal Your Life Back
Rakes - Strasbourg
REM - Leaving New York
Riviera F - International Lover
Ronan Keating - I Hope You Dance
Roxy Saint - Firecracker
Spankox - To The Club
Super Furry Animals - The Man Don't Give A F**k
The Streets - Blinded By The Lights
Wagon Christ - Shadows
Single Release Schedule
October 4
10,000 Things - Titanium Can't Do Nothing
Alicia Keys - Karma
Amy Grant - Come Be With Me
Angel City feat. Lara McAllen - Do You Know (I Go Crazy)
The Beatnuts - Find Us (In The Back Of The Club)
Bellefire - Spin The Wheel
Bowling For Soup - 1985
Brandy - Afrodisiac
Christina Milian feat. Joe Budden - Whatever You Want
Clor - Welcome Music Lovers
David Guetta feat. Chris Willis - Stay
Dead 60s - Riot Radio
Deo - Wild Ocean
Dirty Vegas - Walk Into The Sun
DJ Casper feat. The Gap Band - Oops Upside Your Head
Dogs Die In Hot Cars - Lounger
Duran Duran - (Reach Up For The) Sunrise
Eamon feat. Ghostface - Love Them
Estelle - Free
Golden Virgins - Renaissance Kid
Good Charlotte - Predictable
Home Video - Citizen
Hot Chip - Playboy
Husky Rescue - Summertime Cowboy
Knife - Heartbeats
Lucie Silvas - What You're Made Of
Marie Fredriksson - Second Chance
Marilyn Manson - Personal Jesus
Ma$e - Welcome Back
Moco - Baby When You Die
Rachel Stevens - More More More
Robbie Williams - Radio
Rodney P - Trouble
Rooster - Come Get Some
Sons & Daughters - Johnny Cash
The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Karmageddon
Special Needs - Francesca
The Strokes - The End Has No End
Sum 41 - We�re All To Blame
Terror Squad feat. Fat Joe & Remy - Lean Back
Tippi - Boy
TV On The Radio - New Health Rock
VS - Make It Hot
Velvet Revolver - Fall To Pieces
Your Codename Is Milo - Schteeve
The Zutons - Don't Ever Think
October 11
A-Studio - S.O.S.
Ana Johnsson - Don't Cry For Pain
The Beautiful South - Livin' Thing
Brad Carter - Morning Always Comes Too Soon
Brand New Heavies - Boogie
Damien Rice - Cold Water/Lonely
The Datsuns - Girl's Best Friend
Decemberists - Billy Liar
Dirty Vegas - Walk Into The Sun
The Donnas - Fall Behind Me
Duncan James feat. Keedie - I Believe My Heart
Eighties Matchbox B Line Disaster - Rise Of The Eagles
Ella Guru - Park Lane Speakers
Faint - I Disappear
Hidden Cameras - I Believe In The Good Of Life
James Maker feat. Noko 440 - Born That Way
Jimmy Eat World - Pain
Kasabian - Processed Beats
Lorna - Papi Chulo
Malibu Stacey - Invasion
Modest Mouse - Ocean Breathes Salty
Maria Mena - You Are The Only One
Mia - Galang
Morrissey - Let Me Kiss You
N-Trance - I'm In Heaven
Nancy Sinatra & Morrissey - Let Me Kiss You
Neo Cortex - Elements
Norah Jones - Those Sweet Words
The Others - Stan Bowles
OutKast - Prototype/Ghettomusick
Paddingtons - 22/Some Old Girl
Polly Paulusma - Over The Hill
Scissor Sisters - Mary
Systematik - Endless Road/If You Leave Me Now
Tiesto - Just Be/Goldrush
Vanessa Carlton - White Houses
Wonder Stuff - Better Get Ready For A Fist Fight
Young Buck - Let Me In
October 18
Alanis Morissette - Eight Easy Steps
All Eyes - She's A Vision
Ash - Renegade Calvacade
Black Moth Connection - Shake Ur Booty
Cliff Richard - Something's Goin' On
Danzel - Pump It Up
Darius - Kinda Love
Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence '04
Dualers - Kiss On The Lips
Eastern Lane - I Said Pig On Friday
Five Star - System Addict 2004
Gabrielle - You Used To Love Me
Good Size - Pineapple Song (Turn Around And Let Me See)
Hilary Duff - Fly
The Hives - Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones
Intenso Project featuring Lisa Scott-Lee - Get It On
James Blunt - High
Jay Sean - Stolen
Kelis feat. Andre 3000 - Millionaire
The Libertines - What Became Of The Likely Lads
Lil' Flip - Sunshine
Manic Street Preachers - Love Of Richard Nixon
Mark Joseph - Lady Lady/Volcano
Noise Next Door - Ministry Of Mayhem/Lock Up Your Daughters
Others - Stan Bowles
Petey Pablo - Freek-A-Leek
Placebo - 20 Years
R Kelly - Happy People
Rammstein - Amerika
Shaznay Lewis - You
Sia - Numb
Travis - Walking In The Sun
Way Out West - Anything But You
The Zutons - Don't Ever Think (Too Much)
October 25
Bjork - Who Is It?
Bloc Party - Helicopter
Candee Jay - Back For More
Christina Aguilera feat. Missy Elliot - Car Wash
Daniel Bedingfield - Nothing Hurts Like Love
Dannii Minogue feat. Flowerpower - You Won't Forget About Me
Delays - Lost In A Melody
Ellements - Walk Right Now
George Michael - Round Here
Graham Coxon - All Over Me/Freakin' Out
I Dream - Dreaming
Il Divo - Regressa Mi
Ja Rule feat. R Kelly & Ashanti - Wonderful
Jamiroquai - TBA
Kings Of Leon - Bucket
Mania - Money In My Pocket
Marques Houston - Because Of You
Michael Gray - The Weekend
Michelle Lawson - Beautiful Thing
Mick Jagger & Dave Stewart - Old Habits Die Hard
Nina Sky - Turnin' Me On
Phixx - Strange Love
Rachel McFarlane - Lover
The Rasmus - First Day Of My Life
Snow Patrol - How To Be Dead
Supatonic - I Wish It Wasn't True
Tom Baxter - My Declaration
Usher - Confessions Part II
V - You Stood Up
Wee Phillie vs. DJ Gotti - Bang The Drum
November 1
Ashanti - Only You
Avril Lavigne - Nobody's Home
The Black Eyed Peas - Don't Mess With My Heart
Brian McFadden - TBA
Britney Spears - My Prerogative
Delta Goodrem - Out Of The Blue
Destiny's Child - Lose My Breath
Elton John - All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful)
Fabolous - Breathe
Jamelia - DJ
Jamie Scott - Searching
JoJo feat. Bow Wow - Baby It's You
Lost Witness feat. Andrea Britton - Wait For You
Patrizio Buanne - Il Mondo
The Strokes - End Had No End
Westlife - Smile
November 8
The 411 - Teardrops
Anastacia - Welcome To My Truth
Blue - Curtain Falls
Eminem - Just Lose It
Finn Brothers - Nothing Wrong With You
Gwen Stefani - What Are You Waiting For
Har Mar Superstar - Body Request
Jennifer Lopez - TBA
Kristian Leontiou - Some Say
Paul Weller - Thinking Of You
Razorlight - TBA
Soulwax - E-Talking
Stonebridge feat. Ultra Nate - Freak On
Twista feat. R Kelly - So Sexy
U2 - Vertigo
November 15
Geri Halliwell - Ride It
Mariah Carey feat. Kanye West - Stay The Night
McFly - Room On The 3rd Floor
Lemar - If There's Any Justice
Raghav - Angel Eyes
The Music - Bleed From Within
November 22
Girls Aloud - I'll Stand By You
Green Day - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
Keane - This Is The Last Time
Sugababes - TBA
The Thrills - Not For All The Love In The World
November 29
Fat Joe - Things Of That Nature
Kylie Minogue - I Believe In You
Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten
REM - Boy In The Well
Smujji - TBA
The Streets - Could Well Be In
