LONDON, UK
by Jenny (Staff Writer)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Usher & Alicia Keys - My Boo: Once I heard an "If I Ain't Got You" version with Usher singing with Alicia, I knew that sooner or later they would do a track together. Jermaine Dupri has a way of putting singles together for Usher and "My Boo" is no different.
Usher and Alicia Keys blend well together like they have been singing with each other for awhile.
This track is remaining on the No 1 spot of the Billboard and it is the 4th No1 single for Usher this year: only Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Jacksons 5 had 4 No 1 singles in a year.
HOT SHOT RECORD
George Michael - Round Here: My favorite track on his cd 'Patience,' I love this song, it's obviously about George Michael's life. He's now 40 and apparently has matured from the highlights and hot pants of his Wham! days to a more well-rounded and well-adjusted adulthood.
George Michael is by far one of the best voices of our time. There is so much talent and soul in this man. The track is very enjoyable!
Britney Spears - My Prerogative: This song at the time sounded like an anthem. Bobby Brown's original version (Whitney's husband) was really outstanding. I can't find anything good to write for this version: it is one of the worst I've ever heard, believe me.
What is missing? Teddy Riley's production, the catchy repetitive keyboard loop and the atmospheric synths. Even today when someone says "Prerogative" Bobby's version is what I immediately think of.
My advise: buy Britney's album 'Greatest Hits: My Prerogative' for all other tracks ecept this one!
Christina Aguilera feat. Missy Elliot - Car Wash: This season (Xmas) labels try to remind us big hits. Another cover for this week: 'Car Wash' was an original Top 10 for the Rose Royce and the Whitfield song sounding so powerful!
Here (not like Britney case) we are having an extra-ordinary new version of 1970s disco groove. Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott take a slinky cruise and every time. I play this song, it hypes me up! Especially, Christina's vocals are amazing and it really makes the song the standout of the week. The track is included in 'Shark Tale' soundtrack (the animation movie is very cute).
Chingy - Balla Baby: Obviously, Chingy didn't feel the need to take any time off, 'cuz he just releases new single "Balla Baby." I can't understand why he is releasing this track as first single! The song isn't the least bit catchy either, which was his saving grace for "Right Thurr." At least "Right Thurr" was a catchy lead single; "Balla Baby" is just another 'R&B' song with an uninspired video of Chingy dancing' around with women and tossing money around. It was directly by Jeremy Rall and features cameos by David Banner.
His upcoming album includes guest appearances by superstars such as Janet Jackson, Lil' Wayne, David Banner, Nate Dogg, R. Kelly, G.I.B., Bun B and Ziggy, among others.
Destiny's Child - Lose My Breath: Destiny's Child, the world's best- selling female pop vocal group, is back after a three-year hiatus with Destiny Fulfilled, slated to hit stores on Tuesday, November 16.
"Lose My Breath," the first focus track from Destiny Fulfilled, is already a Top 5 record on the Billboard Hot 100. The beats of the track are amazing, it's up beat and catchy. Wonderful job DC! Continue to do what you all do and that's to dominate the airwaves. It's got a wonderful beat and also great vocals on the girls. Let's go girls!
Elton John - All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful): All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful)' is the sensational first single from Elton John's eagerly anticipated new album, 'Peachtree Road'.
Recorded in Atlanta, the single and album were written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and produced for the very first time by Elton John himself.
The single's extraordinary video is directed by acclaimed artist and photographer David La Chapelle, the man behind Elton John's spectacular show - 'The Red Piano'- at The Coliseum, Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas. The single is available on the following formats and features exclusive B-sides, all of which were recorded as part of the, 'Peachtree Road' sessions except, 'Nice And Slow', which is taken from the 'Thom Bell Sessions' (1979) and which is being made available for the first time ever in the UK. Great comeback!
Eminem - Just Lose It: I have this theory that Eminem secretly knows this song isn't his best one. Eminem knows he can release almost everything at this point and still make huge success. I want to notice here: THIS TRACK, SEE IT ON TV. I was so disappointed when I heard this track at radio first, but after seeing the video and listening to it more, it grew on me, I like it. In the end, I don't think the music is something special, a little catchy though. But still, I prefer to watch the video cause those lyrics and that clip together are damn funny! (still, I think it has a little too much Michael Jackson...)
Los Lonely Boys - Heaven: This is a cross between Mink DeVille, Los Lobos and Santana - perfect for the airwaves! (but as always, UK Radio managers are out of the reality). Guys, this hype is real. These guys are absolutely the real thing. Their sound is a little bit Santana, a little bit Los Lobos, a little Stevie Ray thrown in, and a whole lot of the Garza Brothers Rock and Roll. They play very tight melodies, the song-writing and lyrics are real and heartfelt. All of the brothers sing and their harmonies are right on.
Also you can actually hear the words and the wonderful melodies, as opposed to so many rock and roll bands that do nothing but blast away and play the same chords over and over again. Henry Garza's lead guitar playing is phenomenal. His fret board work is exquisite, with little nuances spread throughout. Jo-Jo and Ringo Garza provide a rythmn section that enhances each song.
Absolutely recommended (5 on 5).
The Rasmus - First Day Of My Life: New single from the Grammy Winning Finnish Rock Band's 2004 Release, 'Dead Letters'. Especially love the beginning of this song and the guitars are awesome (the track gets very catchy after awhile). It is being my most 'easy' review of the week: once again I have to give this Finnish band as well as all of their singles previously, 5 stars. BUY IT!
The Strokes - The End Has No End: The End Has No End is taken from The Strokes' acclaimed Room On Fire album. Again, the band tackles syrupy 70's rock with an edge on the superb "The End Has No End." If the formula works (Ramones anyone?), why not use it again and again? The Strokes once again get it right, proving that Rock n' Roll ain't about how hard it is to play, it's about how good it makes you feel!
Westlife - Ain't That A Kick In The Head: The Westlife boys are back, minus the troubled Brian McFadden, with an album of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr and Frank Sinatra covers. When you team one of the very best vocal groups of the last decade with the MOST IMPRESSIVE SINGER of all time (Frankie), then you are taking your risks. Westlife always have had a bad press with music critics, but they've shown us they can sing. This song was brilliant the first time round and it is personal opinion if you like it now...
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
November 1
All Eyes - She's A Vision
Boom click - High Tide
Bright Eyes - Take It Easy (Love Nothing)
Britney Spears - My Prerogative
Candee Jay - Back For Me
Cherry Falls - In Your Arms Again
Christina Aguilera feat. Missy Elliot - Car Wash
Chingy - Balla Baby
Death From Above 1979 - Romantic Rights
Destiny's Child - Lose My Breath
Dolium - Kisses
Ed Harcourt - Born In The 70s
Elton John - All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful)
Eminem - Just Lose It
Ethix - Give It 2 Me
George Michael - Round Here
Grand National - Drink To Moving On
Il Divo - Regresa Mi [Download Only]
Jamelia - DJ/Stop
Jesse Malin - Since You're In Love
Jo Jingles - Wind The Bobbin Up
Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot
Los Lonely Boys - Heaven
The Mad Capsule Markets - Scary/Delete Streamin' Freq From Fear Side
MIA - Galang
Michael Gray - The Weekend
The Open - Never Enough
Prodigy - Hotride [NCQ]
The Rasmus - First Day Of My Life
Ratatat - Germany To Germany
Schwab - No Balls
Silver Sun - Bubblegum
The Strokes - The End Has No End
Thee Unstrung - Contrary Mary
This Girl - Master Blaster
Tom Vek - If You Want
Tyler James - Why Do I Do
The Unstrung - Contrary Mary/You
Usher & Alicia Keys - My Boo
Westlife - Ain't That A Kick In The Head [Download Only]
Wet Wet Wet - All I Want
Singles Release Schedule
November 8
Barbs - Massive Crush 2004
Bloc Party - Helicopter
Blue - Curtain Falls
Bright Eyes - Lua
Carl Cox Ft Hannah Robinson - Give Me Your Love
Caves - Wow Machine
The Damned - Smash It Up (25th Anniversary Edition)
The Dears - Lost In The Plot
Delta Goodrem - Out Of The Blue
Dizzee Rascal - Dream
Echelon - Plus
Ellements - Walk Right Now
Eve Selis - Blame It On The Rain
Eyeopener - Hungry Eyes
Fake Ray - Fumes Are Deadly EP
Finn Brothers - Nothing Wrong With You
Ghetto Star - Long Black Limousine
Groove Coverage - Poison
Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For
Hanson - The Underneath Acoustic EP [Ltd Ed]
Har Mar Superstar - Body Request
Hayseed Dixie - Ace Of Spades
Hell Is For Heroes - Kamichi
Hiding Place - Cruel Kindness
Jamie Cullum - Everlasting Love
Joanna Newsom - Sprout And The Bean/What We Have Known [Ltd Ed]
Lcd Sound system - Movement
Lethal B - Forward
Lost Witness Ft Andrea Britton - Wait For You
Mark Lanegan - Hit The City
Ma$e feat. P. Diddy - Welcome Back/Breathe, Stretch, Shake
McQueen - Like I Care EP
Mocky - Catch A Moment In Time
Mutts - Mutts
Nas Ft Olu Dara - Bridging The Gap
Prince - Cinnamon Girl
Prosaics - Aghast Agape
Rebelski - Play The School Piano [Ltd Ed]
Rico - Psycho Killer
Soulsavers - Closer EP
Soulwax - E-Talking
Steriogram - Walkie Talkie Man
Tears For Fears - Closest Thing To Heaven
Thunder - I Love You More Than Rock 'N' Roll
Twista feat. R Kelly - So Sexy
U2 - Vertigo
Unkle and Ian Brown - Reign
Urban Cookie Collective - The Key, The Secret 2004
V - You Stood Up
The Wedding Present - Interstate 5
November 15
2Play feat. Thomas Jules and Jucxi D - Careless Whisper
21 Gun Salute - Cracks
The 411 - Teardrops
5'o Clock Heroes - Time On My Hands
Anastacia - Welcome To My Truth
Avril Lavigne - Nobody's Home
Beastellabeast - Final Mistake [Ltd Ed]
Blues Explosion - Hot Gossip [Ltd Ed]
Bravery - Unconditional EP
Crane builders - So What Could I Do?/Trouble Is
Cry For Silence - The Longest Day EP
Dawn Parade - Underground
Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan - Silence 2004
Devendra Banhart - At The Hop
Dharma Drive - Audio Porn EP
Dogs - London Bridge
Doves - Black And White Town
Dragonheart - Video Killed The Radio Star
Elviss - Not Enough EP
Embrace - Ashes
Fabolous - Breathe
Faithless - Miss U Less, See U More
Fans Of Kate - Fans Of Kate EP
Felix Da Housecat - Watching Cars Go By
Franz Ferdinand - This Fire [Download only]
Girls Aloud - I'll Stand By You
Great Northwestern Hobos - Change Your Tune
Hot Snakes - Mystic Decade
I Dream feat. Calvin & Frankie - Dreaming
Intenso Project feat. Lisa Scott-Lee - Get It On
JoJo feat. Bow Wow - Baby It's You
Lemar - If There's Any Justice
Mando Diao - Paralyzed
Martha Wainwright - Bloody Mother ****ing Asshole [Ltd Ed]
McFly - Room On The 3rd Floor
Mercury Rev - In A Funny Way
Modest Mouse - Ocean Breathes Salty
Nelly Ft Christina Aguilera - Tilt Ya Head Back
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Breathless
Nicki French - I Surrender
Nou - Coco Butta
Onyx feat. Gemma J - Every Little Time
Paul Weller - Thinking Of You
Pellumair - Iris
Polyphonic Spree - 2000 Places
Radio 4 - State Of Alert
Regina Spector - Your Honour/The Flowers [7” only]
Research - She's Not Leaving
RJD2 - Through The Walls
Six By Seven - Catch The Rain
Snap Ant - You Make Me Basic
Soho Dolls - Prince Harry
The Thrills - Not For All The Love In The World
Twilight Singers - Too Tough To Die
Ultrasonic - Angels
Uniting Nations - Out Of Touch
The White Stripes - Jolene
Willy Mason - Hard Hand To Hold EP
November 22
Ashanti - Only You
Battersea Dogs Home Rockford - Christmas Morning
Beat Up - Messed Up
Brendan Keeley - I'll Always Be Lonely
Brian McFadden - Irish Son
Busted - She Wants To Be Me [3" disc only]
C&C Music Factory - Sweat 2004
Chalets - Nightrocker
Clinic - Circle Of Fifths
The Corrs - Long Night
Darren Hayes - Darkness
Delays - Lost In A Melody
Geri Halliwell - Ride It
Go Team - Ladyflash
Granddaddy - Nature Anthem
Keane - This Is The Last Time
Kelli Ali - Hot Lips
Kristian Leontiou - Some Say
Lemon Jelly - Stay With You
Lisa Stansfield - If I Hadn't Got You
Lostprophets - Goodbye Tonight
Lyca Sleep - Sold Me A Ride/South
Maximo Park - The Coast Is Always Changing/The Night I Lost My Head [7” only]
Micah Hinson - Beneath The Rose EP
Moving Units - Available
The Music - Bleed From Within
OutKast - Prototype/Ghettomusick
Raghav - Angel Eyes
Shania Twain Ft Mark McGrath - Party For Two
Status Quo - Thinking Of You
The Streets - Could Well Be In
Tim Bowness - Sleepwalker
Tubby T - Ready She Ready
Vatican DC - Can't Say Nothing At All
Wolfman - Napoleon
X-zibit - Hey Now Mean Mugging
November 29
3rd Wish feat. Baby Bash - Obsesion (Si Es Amor)
Ash - Renegade Calvacade
Alter Ego - Rocker
Aventura - Obsesion
Babyshambles - Killamangiro
Big Strides - Suicidal
Black Velvets - Get Your Own Life
Bryan Adams - Flying
Cheeky Girls - Boys Boys Boys
Fat Joe - Things Of That Nature
Green Day - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
Ice Cube Ft Mack 10 and Ms Toi - You Can Do It
Jive Aces - White Hot Christmas 2004
Joss Stone - Right To Be Wrong
Kanye West - Workout Plan
Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten
Performance - Love Life
Razorlight - Rip It Up
REM - Aftermath
Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrel - Drop It Like It's Hot
Stonebridge - Take Me Away
December 6
Art Brut - Modern Art
Beastie Boys - Open Letter To NYC
Blink 182 - Always
Death Cab For Cutie - Title And Registration
Duran Duran - What Happens Tomorrow
Fever - Bridge And Tunnel
Jethro Tull - Jethro Tull Christmas EP
Kylie Minogue - I Believe In You
Maroon 5 - Sunday Morning
Mousse T feat. Emma Lanford - Right About Now
Nadia Almada - A Little Bit Of Action
Robbie Williams - Misunderstood
Ronan Keating Ft Cat Stevens - Father And Son
Westlife - Smile
December 13
Band Aid III - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Bo Selecta - Sodapop/I've Got You Babe
D:Rail - How Do I Say Goodbye
Darius - Live Twice
Electric Six - Radio Ga Ga
Goldie Lookin' Chain - You Knows I Love You
John Fox - Mr No
Morrissey - I Have Forgiven Jesus
