by Mikey (Gillingham, Kent, UK) - Each week I preview an album which I think deserves a listen to and if it's worth to buy, I will cater for all tastes of music from R'n'B to Rock, Hip hop and Pop. At the end of the page, you will find all future album releases.
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Dido - Life For Rent The second single to be taken from Dido's album of the same name, which sold more than 400,000 copies in its first week, is another emotional heartfelt ballad rising to an uplifting crescendo complete with handclaps and a string section and featuring Dido's school choir vocals. Written by Dido and her brother Rollo, this is bound to be another massive hit both here and across the pond.
HOT SHOT RECORD
The Black Eyed Peas - Shut Up Along with Fergie allowing Will.I.Am, Taboo and Apl de Ap a chance to vent over real-life relationship struggles with the second single to be taken from the critically acclaimed album 'Elephunk'. The song showcases Fergie as she begins the up-tempo tune by repeating the title so much it becomes a part of the beat, then sings the chorus, 'We try to take it slow, but we're still losing control/ We try to make it work, but it still ends up the worst', and finishes by staging an argument with Will. 'Shut Up' is a witty and quite a catchy little ditty, once it gets into your brain, and it's a lot better than their No.1 single, it's a shame they didn't release this first.
Beautiful South - Let Go With The Flow It must be the time of year! There seems to be an endless stream of 'Greatest Hits' compilations coming out at the moment, but that's no bad thing at all is it? Not only are they ideal presents but also each seems to be preceded by a brilliant NEW single. The Beautiful South's latest is, well, classic Beautiful South. Penned by Heaton, it's a catchy, pop speckled little ditty with an irresistible chorus and a slight political leaning (Heaton offers his opinions on the Euro) that harks back to the best of the band.
Blu Cantrell ft. Ian Lewis - Make Me Wanna Scream How do you follow a No.1 hit 'Breathe', easy. Blu teams up with Ian Lewis from Inner Circle for the lovers quarrel song 'Make Me Wanna Scream' which is the second single to be taken from the superb album 'Bittersweet'. Blu carries the light reggae tinged sound well with her dynamic and unique delivery on the high-energy track.
D-Side - Real World The Irish boy band are back with another catchy single called 'Real World'. This is a huge step forward as the track is written by Andy Hill, who penned hits for Bucks Fizz and more recently Celines Dion's 'Think Twice'. The tune is more of a ballad that sees them going from strength to strength into the next league.
Gareth Gates - Say It Isn't So It's make or break time for Gareth, he is skating on thin ice. 'Say It Isn't So' is the third single to be taken from Gareth's latest album 'Go Your Own Way'. The new single is a laid back track which has an incredible yet beautiful ballad quality to it with it's emphasis on rekindling lost love.
Delta Goodrem - Not Me, Not I 'Not Me, Not I' is the fourth single from the 'Innocent Eyes' album by the amazing Delta Goodrem. The tracks carries the Tori Amos-style ballad that Delta has perfected and is backed up by a Christmas/Seasonal feel that is mirrored in the video. The two track single features a demo from Delta recorded when she was 14 and Maxi release features her versions of 'Merry Xmas War Is Over' and 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Xmas'.
Katie Melua - The Closest Thing To Crazy / Call Off The Search Katie Melua continues to get fantastic reactions after receiving an astonishing number of enquiries after getting airplay from the Wogan Show on Radio 2. Despite being in her early teens, she is already performing original tracks whilst her peers are still doing covers. She was discovered by Mike Batt (who wrote all the songs for the Wombles!) during his auditions to find jazz/blues singers but has managed to stumble across something quite unique with Katie.
Muse - Hysteria The title of the next single release by Muse once again gives emphasis to the idealogy of a world ending but 'Hysteria' in itself is a highly melodic song with deep lyrics that Bellamy does best. Just when you thought you have heard all the angles Muse has to offer, they come back with a fierce track that is nothing short of excellence.
Nelly - Iz U Taken from the forthcoming album 'Da Derrty Versions', 'Iz U' is latest offering from one of the biggest urban/hip-hop stars in the world! With Nelly's unmistakable vocals laid over an incredibly catchy groove and the huge fan base he has generated since the release of 'Nellyville', 'Iz U' is set to repeat the success of his past single releases
Puddle Of Mudd - Away From Me 'Away From Me' is the premiere single to be taken from the second album 'Life On Display' by the Puddle Of Mudd. After selling millions of records and spilling his feelings about the girl who did him wrong on such hits as 'She Hates Me', notoriously unlucky-in-love Wesley Scantlin is back on the same tip with 'Away From Me' which is yet another tale of romantic woe, yet the Nirvana-esque tune is still a classic in the making.
Simply Red - You Make Me Feel Brand New 'You Make Me Feel Brand New' is the third single from the hugely successful platinum-selling album 'Home'. The track is a cover of the Stylistics biggest ever hit from 1974 which was originally written and recorded for three voices but the Simply Red version with Mick Hucknall's one voice still remains true to the originators.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
The Backlash - Magnificent 7
Buffseeds - Sparkle Me
Evan Dando - It Looks Like You
Michael Franti And Spearhead - Everyone Deserves Music
Gus Gus - Desire
Headway - Vital Signs
Kaito - EP
Koreans - How Does It Feel
M83 - 0078h
Daniel O'Donnell - You Raise Me Up
The Rapture - Sister Saviour
Seachange - Glitterball EP
Wow Cafe - Betty Shorts Smile
Young Circle - Vive Les Enfants D'Amou
Single Release Schedule
December 8
Alicia Keys - You Don't Know My Name
Big Brovaz - Ain't What You Do
Christina Aguilera - The Voice Within
David Bowie - Never Get Old/Waterloo Sunset
DMX - Get On The Floor
Evanescence - My Immortal
Fall - (We Wish You) A Protein Christmas
Finger Eleven - Good Times
Good Charlotte - Hold On/The Young And The Hopeless
Jennifer Ellison - Bye Bye Baby
John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Kelly & Ozzy Osbourne - Changes
KoRn - Right Now
Lisa Maffia - Women Of The World
Madonna - Nothing Fails/Love Profusion
Mr. On vs Jungle Brothers - Breathe Don't Stop
My Chemical Romance - Honey This Mirror Isn't Big Enough For The Two Of Us
Nelly Furtado - Powerless (Say What You Want)
Pretty Girls Make Graves - All Medicated Geniuses
Punk Aid - Ere's Your Xmas
Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell
The Cheeky Girls - Have A Cheeky Christmas
The Lost Brothers - Cry Little Sister (I Need U Now)
The Mountain Goats - Palmcorder Yajna
December 15
Atomic Kitten featuring Kool & The Gang - Ladies' Night
Avid Merrion - Proper Crim-bo!
Basil Brush - Boom! Boom!
Beyonc� - Me, Myself And I
Blue featuring Stevie Wonder & Angie Stone - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
Billy Mac - Christmas Is All Around
Craig David - You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til The Well Runs Dry)
Different Darkness - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Darkness
Erin Rocha - Can't Do Right For Doing wrong
Fast Food Rockers - I Love Christmas
G-Unit - Stunt 101
Idols - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Joe Strummer - Redemption Song/Arms Aloft
Justin Timberlake - I'm Lovin' It
Kujay Dada - Young Hearts
Mew - She Came For Christmas
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)
Travis - The Beautiful Occupation
Turbonegro - Sell Your Body
Ultrabeat - Feeling Fine
Wyclef Jean & Missy Elliot - Party To Damascus
December 29
Alistair Griffin - Bring It On/Lover's Prayer
Ocean Colour Scene - Golden Gate Bridge
S Club 8 - Don't Tell Me You're Sorry
Sean Paul ft. Sasha - I'm Still In Love With You
Sophie Ellis Bextor - I Won't Change You
Stacie Orrico - I Promise
Victoria Beckham - Let Your Head Go/This Groove
January 5
Basement Jaxx ft. Lisa Kekaula - Good Luck
Fight Club - Spread Love
Flip & Fill featuring Junior - Irish Blue
Kelis - Milkshake
Love Inc - Into The Night
Mya - Fallen
NG3 - Holler
REM - Animal
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
Damien Rice - Volcano
Despina Vandi - Gia
Maria Willson - Tonight
The Strokes - Reptilia
January 19
Abs - 7 Ways
Fountains Of Wayne - Stacey's Mum
JC Chasez featuring Dirt McGirt - Some Girls
Liberty X - Everybody Cries
Offspring - Hit That
Pink - God Is A DJ
Ryan Adams - So Alive
The Bandits - The Warning
January 26
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
Snow Patrol - Run
Summer Matthews - Little Miss Perfect
Von Bondies - C'mon C'mon
February 2
Hilary Duff - Why Not?
Longview - Still
The Distillers - Hunger
Triple Eight - You And I
February 9
Fatman Scoop ft. Enya-Autumn Chambers - It Takes Two
Holly Valance - Desire
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
February 16
Junior Senior - Coconuts
The Stills - Lola Stars And Stripes
February 23
Jamelia - Thank You
