by Mikey (Gillingham, Kent, UK)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Plumb - Real Plumb is Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, a classy lass who fronts an outstanding pop-rock band, debuts with her first single release 'Real', taken from the album 'Beautiful Lumps of Coal', a more grown-up, experienced set than her earlier work but no less exciting for it. This single is an excellent song about a girl's yearning to find real love and showcases Plumb's ability with a catchy hook and feisty lyrics.
HOT SHOT RECORD
NG3 - Holler Like the world needs another girl band. But hang on a minute, this one boasts a former Miss Sweden so let's at least give 'em a chance eh boys? What's more the NG bit stands for Nasty Girls, which is always a turn on for impressionable young men. Song wise Holler ain't bad either, a slick mixture of Missy Elliot beats, Eminem style rapping and a sterling girl power chorus to burn your bra to. Ultimately success is dependent on how many boys end up fancying these girls - Malin, Linda, Andrea, but you've still got to admire their brand of "shock pop" which puts them closer to TLC than say The Spice Girls.
Blazin' Squad - Here 4 One In the beginning Blazin' Squad released Crossroads which was a great song! Straight to number one and very popular. But then they kind of took a step in the wrong direction and released Love One The Line. One for the girls really but a bad choice for releasing as it made them seems very boy bandish. They've certainly found their right style with Flip Reverse and now this track Here 4 One! With the piano start, opera verse in the middle. It's very garagey and the video is perfect for the song. I'm sure this song will get in the top 5. They have been very close to number 1 with their last two tracks, which made number 2 and number 3.
Funeral For A Friend - Escape Artists Never Die Funeral For A Friend return with their brand new release 'Escape Artists Never Die' taken from their debut album 'Casually Dresses And Deep In Conversation'. If you are into your loud rock, with thunderous results, and you follow the likes of Lostprophets, Lowgold, Muse, then this rocky sound is for you, it is the perfect rock start to 2004. The band had phenomenon success last year, if they continue having hits like this, they will continue to be one big success story of 2004.
Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz - Get Low Lil Jon and his East Side Boyz team up with the Ying Yang Twins to bring you a classic tune in the making with their catchy hip-hop dancehall crossover track 'Get Low'. It falls into the category of Sean Paul and Kevin Lyttle's territory, of ragga and hip-hop dancehall, all over again. The track also comes with added bonus vocals supplied by Busta Rhymes and reggae giant, Elephant Man.
LeAnn Rimes - This Love The new single 'This Love' from Leann Rimes, is taken from her Greatest Hits compilation album, the last time Leann Rimes topped the British chart was in late 2000, with her phenomenon success ballad 'Can't Fight The Moonlight', reaching the dizzy heights of No.1. 'This Love' is a string laden ballad of ambitious scope it showcases Leann Rimes' ability to perform it to full effect. Going back to her epic ballads, which she had with 'How Do I Live'.
Minus - Angel In Disguise What do you associate with Iceland music wise, one act that springs to mind is Bjork and her band The Sugacubes, now a brand new nu-metal outfit from Iceland release their first ever single 'Angel In Disguise', taken from their soon to be release studio album 'So Much Laxness'. You could classify the band with the likes of HIM, Queens of the Stone Age and a few other nu-metal outfits. If you are into nu-metal acts this is for you, but unfortunately for me, not my taste at all.
Nickelback - Figured You Out Nickleback hail from Canada and consists of Chad Kroeger on vocals, Mike Kroeger on bass, Ryan Peake on guitar, and Ryan Vikedal on drums. Nickelback started out as cover band but eventually led to the boys creating their own original material. The Kroeger brothers' cousin, Brandon Kroeger, originally was a member with the group but left and was replaced on drums by Mitch Guindon and then by Vikedal in 1998. Here they release their brand new single 'Figured You Out', an all-out rock anthem to rock the town with.
Obie Trice ft Nate Dogg - The Set-Up (You Don't Know) "Obie Trice, real name no gimmicks" or so say the song lyrics, but lets face it 'Got Some Teeth' was a gimmick. Having Eminem on side is all well and good but the acid test is being on the same page as pioneers of gangsta rap. So a Dr Dre production and the voice of Nate Dogg is just about as clear an indication of Obie's quality as you can get. But forget the line-up, musically The Set Up has it all - tales from the hood, tight beats and a catchy hook. One of the stand out tracks from 'Cheers', 'The Set Up' will undoubtedly hit a chord with rap fans and the increasing number of converts to the genre.
Simple Kid - Truck On 'Truck On' was originally released as an E.P. last year. This version is from the terrific self-titled debut album by Simple Kid, a true eccentric genius. Hailed by public and critics alike, Simple Kid has, produced some of the most original material by a singer-songwriter in recent years. Not bad for a debut single from Simple Kid, easily to catch on and with his writing abilities, he will go a long way.
Von Bondies - C'mon C'mon You probably asking who the heck are Von Bondies well they known for having a scrap with Jack White. 'C'mon, C'mon is their first debut single, taken from their debut album 'Pawn Shoppe Heart', which hits the shops a week on Monday. If you like rock music, at a faster speed and loud thunderous sound with a blast this is for you. It comes across like 'Celebrity Skin' by Hole meets Talking Heads. As for me, it's not my cup of tea!
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Biz Markie featuring P Diddy - Turn Back The Hands Of Time
Black Grass - Going Home
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
Eberg - Plastic Lions
G Club featuring Banda Sonara - Pressure Cooker
Impact - Mad World/If You Come To Me
John Squire - Room In Brooklyn
Oceansize - Catalyst
Ordinary Boys - Maybe Someday
Puerto Muerto - Stars
Span - Papa
Special Needs - Sylvia/Tarts
The Blueskins - Change My Mind
The Distillers - The Hunger
The Fiery Furnaces - Tropical Iceland
The Stranglers - Big Thing Coming
Via Tania - Boltanski
Single Release Schedule
February 9
Armin Van Buuren - Blue Fear/Burned With Desire
Benny Benassi presents The Biz - No Matter What You Do
Chingy featuring Ludacris & Snoop Dogg - Holidae Inn
Crackout - This Is What We Do
Damien Rice - Volcano
Dave Clarke & Chicks On Speed - What Was Her Name?
Delerium featuring Nerina Pallot - Truly/Fearless
Fatman Scoop featuring The Crooklyn Clan - It Takes Scoop
Ferry Corsten - Rock Your Body Rock
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
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
Sia - Don't Bring Me Down
Sleepy Jackson - Come To This
So Solid Crew - So Grimey
Span - Don't Think The Way They Do
Speedway - Can't Turn Back
Stereophonics - Movie Star
Tears For Fears - The Closest Thing To Heaven
The Crystal Method - Born Too Slow
The Jeevas - Have You Ever Seen The Rain
The Stands - Here She Comes Again
The Strokes - Reptilia
Trespassers William - Different Stars
UD Project - Saturday Night
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
Dogs Die In Hot Cars - Man Bites Man EP
Earl Slick - Believe
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
Mark Joseph - Bringing Back Those Memories
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
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Six Barrel Shotgun
Blonde Redhead - Elephant Woman
Despina Vandi - Gia
Eastern Lane - Saffron
Elbow - Not A Job
Fiery Furnances - Tropical Iceland
Goldfrapp - Black Cherry
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
Lemar - Another Day
Love Inc - Into The Night
Lowgold - Same Way
Master Blaster - Hypnotic Tango
Nic Armstrong - Broken Mouth Blues EP
Northern Heightz - Look At Us
Placebo - English Summer Rain
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?
Timbaland & Magoo featuring Missy Elliot - Cop That Disc
VS - Love You Like Mad
Wayne Williams - All About The Sex
Westlife - Obvious
Zero 7 - Home
March 1
Acoustic Love Experience - Painted Pony
B2K - Badaboom
Beenie Man - Dude
Blink-182 - I Miss You
Britney Spears - Toxic
Delta Goodrem - Predictable
DJ Casper - Cha-Cha Slide
Elton John - The Heart Of Everything
Features - Way It's Meant To Be
Fountains Of Wayne - Stacy's Mom
FYA featuring Smujji - Must Be Love
George Michael - Amazing
Gomez - Catch Me Up
Ilya - Bellissimo
Kylie Minogue - Red Blooded Woman
Paddy Casey - Saints And Sinners
Starsailor - Four To The Floor
Tezla - All Night
The Black Eyed Peas - Hey Mama
The Mars Volta - Televators
The Shins - So Say I
Velcra - Can't Stop Fighting
March 8
Alistair Griffin - You And Me (Tonight)
Chikinki - Like It Or Leave It
Cypress Hill - What's Your Number
Haven - Wouldn't Change A Thing
Jet - Look What You've Done
Laura Veirs - Cloud Room
Marques Houton - Clubbin'
Moneybrother - Reconsider Me
My Red Cell - Knock Me Down
NERD - She Wants To Move
Phixx - Love Revolution
Sarah McLachlan - Fallen
Seraphim Suite - Heart
Special D - Come With Me
Three Doors Down - Here Without You
March 15
Anastacia - Left Outside Alone
Atomic Kitten - Someone Like Me
B3 - Night Fever/I.O.I.O.
Bell X1 - Alphabet Soup
Courtney Love - Mono
Daniel Wylie - Make Love To The World
Dido - Don't Leave Home
Four Tet - My Angel Rocks Back And Forth
Janet Jackson - Love Me For A Little While
Katie Melua - Call Off The Search
Kid Symphony - Meet You On The Other Side
Kraftwerk - A�ro Dynamik
Nelly Furtado - Try
Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris - Yeah
Will Young - Your Game
March 22
Blue - Breathe Easy
Enrique Iglesias featuring Kelis - Not In Love
G-Unit - Poppin' Them Things
Missy Elliot - I'm Really Hot
Outkast - The Way You Move
Sugababes - In The Middle
March 29
Beyonce featuring Lil' Kim - Naughty Girl
McFly - 5 Colours In Her Hair
Michelle - The Meaning Of Love
Pet Shop Boys - Flamboyant
April 5
Alanis Morrisette - Everything
Bandits - No Shoes On My Feet
Pink - Catch Me While I'm Sleeping
April 12
Ashanti - Break Up 2 Make Up
Busted - Air Hostess
N.B. All dates are subject to change
