By Mikey (Gillingham, Kent, UK)
RECORD OF THE WEEK No Doubt - It's My life Gwen and the band return with their first single since 'Underneath It All' - an excellent rework of the
Talk Talk classic 'It's My Life', peaked at No.13, produced by Nellee Hooper. The single is being released to coincide with their 'Singles 1992 - 2003' album.
A gripping video, which was directed by photographer
David LaChapelle, accompanies the new single - featuring Gwen slowly killing off the band one by one and ending up in the electric chair.
Gwen Stefani gives the song a feel good factor, and the traces of the original version still lurk within the single itself.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Shane Ritchie - I'm Your Man Shane Ritchie does his bit for Children In Need, by re-recording the classic No.1 hit 'I'm Your Man', originally recorded by Wham! All proceeds of this single are donated to the Children In Need Appeal Fund. Shane delivers the track with all the enthusiasm and dynamic energy one would expect. The video also lives up to expectations - an all singing, all dancing Chicago-esque 30's style song and dance pastiche.
Blink 182 - Feeling This After a two year hiatus, Blink 182 make a triumphant return with their rockin' new single 'Feeling This'. This is the first track to be taken from their fifth studio album 'Blink 182'. The track has all the signs that indicate that this is going to be another classic Blink 182 anthem.
Chemical Brothers - Get Yourself High 'Get Yourself High' is the second new track to be taken from the collection, and follows on from the success of recent hit 'The Golden Path', the duo's collaboration with The Flaming Lips. After the uplifting introspection of 'The Golden Path', 'Get Yourself High' sees the Chemicals back pounding dancefloors with a brooding, bass-fuelled booty shaking anthem featuring the versatile vocal talents of Canadian Rapper K-OS and comes backed by original Chemical Brothers track 'Electronic Battle Weapon 6' plus a hefty re-mix-package courtesy of uber-hot newcomers Switch, and electro don Felix Da Housecat.
The Coral - Bill McCai The coral are back with another dose of fresh and uncompromising music, but not with their banter about marauding pirates that seems to characterises the band, they have replaced it with a darker fable as the latest single 'Bill McCai' demonstrates. Basically it's a tale of an aging commuter who wishes he was a boy again but the track talks of an absorbing account of alcoholism and poverty that inevitably results in suicide. All is not morbid though as the tune is set to a skewed beat that gets your mind ticking
Dandy Warhols - Plan A 'Plan A' is the hypnotic third single to be taken from the Dandy Warhols amazing album 'Welcome To The Monkey House'. The single features Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon on backing vocals as well as the added bonus of the band's own rendition of David Bowie's 'Jean Genie' track
Dirt Devils - Music Is Life The Dirt Devils are back to follow the success of their club classic 'The Drill' with the sleaze synth leviathan 'Music Is Life'. The track is a cauldron of of rolling basslines, vocoded vocals and dirty synths. This electro trancer will be found in every DJ box across the UK.
Dizzee Rascal - Jus A Rascal Dizzee Rascal returns with the third single from his Mercury Award Winning debut album 'Boy In Da Corner'. Dizzee is on playful form with 'Jus A Rascal' as although the talk is tough, the melodramatic funk and mock operatics in the chorus soften the menacing tone, and reveal his humorous side. His lyrics compliment the skittering beats; thrash guitar and chugging bassline riffs.
Ja Rule - Reigns / Clap Back 'Reigns/Clap Back' is the double A new single from the platinum rapper Ja Rule. Ja Rule is back again to deliver another slice of his winning formula. With 'Reigns' Ja delivers his caustic rhymes over the top of beats provided by Murder Inc's head honcho Irv Gotti. The track is topped off with a soulful chorus from Celeste to the tune of Toto's 'Africa'. Flip the track over and you have a truly great come back ready for Ja's original and loyal Hip Hop fans. 'Clap Back' delivers a track that sees him spit over an infectious sparse beat that has already started making the right noise in the Urban clubs.
Mary J. Blige ft. Eve - Not You 'Not Today' is the follow up single to 'Love @ 1st sight' which is set to becoming another club hit with the additional midas touch of Dr Dre. This taught, razor-sharp groove also features a dynamite performance from Eve and of course, that inimitable voice. Mary really lets loose on this record, perfectly complemented by Dre's regimented beat and staccato melodies, on the B-side is a remix by 50Cent and his G-Unit crew of 'Ooh' (the original of which features on 'Love & Life')- the man himself adds a verse, as do other members of his crew. 'Not Today', is another Mary classic to add to the amazing repertoire she has already amassed.
Michael Jackson - One More Chance Returning to his roots as a soulful balladeer, Michael Jackson releases this R Kelly-penned track ahead of his forthcoming Greatest Hits collection 'Number Ones'. The laid-back soothing 'One More Chance' is the perfect vehicle for Michael Jackson to showcase his distinctive falsetto vocals, but will this be enough to herald a return to form for the self-styled King of Pop?
Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham - Music and You 'Music & You' is a brand new composition written by Vito with lyrics penned and sung by Oliver Cheatham, who gave us the outstanding and very infectious hit 'Make Luv'. It's an anthemic chorus-line with an irresistible hook, which is set to become another anthem in the making as well as another glimpse into the Room 5 world of fast nights, hi-class disco and 21st Century soul music.
Studio B ft. Romeo & Harry Brooks - I See Girls (Crazy) When MC Romeo, singer/songwriter Harry Brooks and producer JD aka Dready got together in Studio B at EMI Recording Studios, the result was the sexy, street, urban track 'I See Girls (Crazy)'. Harry Brooks slick song writing skills (he penned 'You Make Me Wanna' for Blue) and versatile singing voice coupled with Romeo's unique rapping styles has seen 'I See Girls (Crazy)' already acclaimed as one of the standout tracks of the year as well as the further boost it has obtained as the soundbed for the new Lynx advert.
The Thrills - Don't Steal Our Sun 'Don't Steal Our Sun' is the fourth single from The Thrills debut album 'So Much For The City'. The Dublin five piece have even added their own version of the REM classic 'The One I Love' and a cover of the Smiths' 'Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me'.
Will Young - Leave Right Now After four No.1 singles, a record-breaking debut single, and a year away from the spotlight, it's back to basics for Pop Idol and Brit Award winner Will Young. 'Leave Right Now' is a stripped down love song with lyrics that are given even more emotional weight by Will's soulful voice. Taken from Will's forthcoming album 'Friday's Child' which is set for release on December 1st.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
Breed 77 - La Ultima Hora
Cody Chesnutt - World Is Coming
Evan Dando - It Looks Like You
Matt Darey ft. Marcella Woods - Voice Of An Angel
Fleetwood Mac - Peacekeeper
Peter Gabriel - Burn You Up, Burn You Down
Iron Maiden - Rainmaker
King Adora - Drag
Lost Tribe - Gamemaster 2003
Cass McCombs - Not The Way
Meat Loaf - Man Of Steel
Million Dead - I Am The Party
Moloko - Cannot Contain This
P.O.D. - Will You
Radical Noiz ft. Adeva - In And Out
Seachange - Glitterball
Skandinavia - Dark Days
CJ Stone - Don't Look Back
Tramp Attack - Oh When The Sun Goes Down
Whirlwind Heat - Purple
Young Circle - Vive les enfants d'amour
Single Release Schedule
December 1
Beautiful South - Let Go With The Flow
The Black Eyed Peas - Shut Up
Blu Cantrell featuring Ian Lewis - Make Me Wanna Scream
Buffseeds - Sparkle Me
D-Side - Real World
Dido - Life For Rent
Four Poofs And A Piano - Camp Up Your Christmas
Gareth Gates - Say It Isn't So
Delta Goodrem - Not Me, Not I
Gus Gus - Desire
John The White Rapper - Put Your Hands Up
Alistair Griffin - Bring It On
Koreans - How Does It Feel
Madonna - Nothing Fails/Love Profusion
Muse - Hysteria
Nelly - Iz U
Noddy - Make Way For Noddy!
Alex Party - Read My Lips (12")
Puddle Of Mudd - Away From Me
Raveonettes - Heartbreak Stroll
Seachange - Glitterball
December 8
Christina Aguilera - The Voice Within
Big Brovaz - It Ain't What You Do
Blue featuring Stevie Wonder & Angie Stone - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
David Bowie - Never Get Old/Waterloo Sunset
The Cheeky Girls - Have A Cheeky Christmas
DMX - Get On The Floor
Evanescence - My Immortal
Fall - We Wish You A Protein Christmas
Finger Eleven - Good Times
Nelly Furtado - Powerless (Say What You Want)
Good Charlotte - Hold On/The Young And The Hopeless
Alicia Keys - You Don't Know My Name
KoRn - Right Now
John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
The Lost Brothers - Cry Little Sister (I Need U Now)
Lisa Maffia - Women Of The World
Mr. On vs Jungle Brothers - Breathe Don't Stop
My Chemical Romance - Honey This Mirror Isn't Big Enough For The Two Of Us
Kelly & Ozzy Osbourne - Changes
Pretty Girls Make Graves - All Medicated Geniuses
Cliff Richard - Santa's List
Simply Red - You Make Me Feel Brand New
Rachel Stevens - Funky Dory
Sting featuring Mary J Blige - Whenever I Say Your Name
Texas - I'll See It Through
Justin Timberlake - I'm Lovin' It
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
December 15
Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules - Mad World
Atomic Kitten featuring Kool & The Gang - Ladies' Night
Basil Brush - Boom Boom!
Beyonc� - Me, Myself And I
The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)/Friday Night
Craig David - You Don't Miss Your Water
Different Darkness - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Darkness
Fast Food Rockers - I Love Christmas
Robin Gibb featuring Alistair Griffin - Lover's Prayer
G-Unit featuring 50 Cent - Stunt 101
Wyclef Jean & Missy Elliot - Party To Damascus
Billy Mac - Christmas Is All Around
Avid Merrion - Little Drummer Boy/Proper Crim-bo!
Mew - She Came For Christmas
Pop Idol Finalists - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
REM - Animal
Amy Studt - All I Wanna Do
Sugababes - Too Lost In You
Travis - Beautiful Occupation
Ultrabeat - Feelin' Fine
December 29
Sophie Ellis Bextor - I Won't Change You
S Club 8 - Tears On My Pillow/Don't Tell Me You're Sorry
These are some of the new releases that are filtering through for the early part of 2004
January 5
Flip & Fill featuring Junior - Irish Blue
Kelis - Milkshake
Love Inc - Into The Night
Mya - Fallen
NG3 - Holler
Ocean Colour Scene - Golden Gate Bridge
Sean Paul featuring Sasha - I'm Still In Love With You
So Solid Crew - So Grimy
Jay-Z & Pharell Williams - Change Clothes And Go
January 12
2 Play - So Confused
Air - Cherry Blossom Girl
Fatman Scoop - It Takes Two
Jamelia - Thank You
Despina Vandi - Gia
Richard X & Javine - You Used To
Zutons - Pressure Point
January 19
Abs - 7 Ways
JC Chasez featuring Dirt McGirt - Some Girls
Liberty X - Everybody Cries
Offspring - Hit That
Pink - God Is A DJ
Scissor Sisters - Comfortably Numb
January 26
Clea - Stuck In The Middle
Emma - I'll Be There
Hundred Reasons - What You Get
Summer Matthews - Little Miss Perfect
DJ Pezario vs. UB40 - Food For Thought
Snow Patrol - Run
February 2
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
Triple Eight - You And I
Holly Valance - Desire
