LONDON, UK
by Jenny (Staff Writer)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Kylie Minogue - I Believe In You: 'I Believe In You' is another perfect piece of dance-pop from Kylie. It's like Donna Summer meets Backstreet Boys with smooth-line synth and cracking drum sounds!
If still is something out there in Europe which called Pop Music, then 
Kylie is the 'Queen Of Pop'. This is an instant classic track, plus she looks brilliant in the video (as usual). Can't wait to buy it. (4/5)
HOT SHOT RECORD
Maroon 5 - Sunday Morning: Adam Levine, Maroon 5's lead singer, has captured Stevie Winwood's essence and phrasing so well, you'd think that Stevie was the one doing the singing, especially on this track...WOW! He is really a magnificent vocalist.
At the time I had only heard "Sunday Morning" on BBC Radio 2 - which is seemed to me a cross between old Motown and Rock 'N' Roll - I liked it immediately. The track is having a 'first worldwide' release at UK this week and I am giving it 5 stars. Buy it boys and girls, this track comes like a breath of fresh air! I have come to dislike most Pop and R&B that's out today but Maroon 5 shows us that there is still hope and creativity left in the music industry. Excellent, all around. (5/5)
3rd Wish Ft Baby Bash - Obsesion (Si Es Amor): Let's be honest: I PRAY TO GO WELL THIS SONG ON OUR CHART (UK). The UK Singles Chart IGNORED form the Labels which are producing LATIN MUSIC GENRE worldwide. The last 'latin track' which had been charted at OCC Singles chart was Cheeky Flamengo (don't laugh please...)
Do Britons have lost their 'music taste'? No, I do not believe this. Remember how many songs with latin spirit you had bring with you from your summer vacations at Spain, Portugal and Italy. The track is cathcy, has been charted all over Central European Countries and it is translated as 'Obsession, If It Is Love.' (2/5)
Alison Moyet - Almost Blue/Alfie: There is no doubt that Alison Moyet has a strong and distinctive voice. The Elvis Costello masterpiece 'Almost Blue' stands the test and sees Moyet's vocal range exploited well! The song is wonderful piece of ART... in fact "Almaost Blue" is a near perfect song and Moyet's interpretations are terrific! The problem is with the consumers: can teens understand how great is this track? BUY IT (5/5).
Ash - Renegade Cavalcade: It is the third single from Ash to be taken from the successful 'Meltdown' album. 'Renegade Cavalcade' is one of the rockier moments of recent times from Ash. 'Renegade Cavalcade' is the music bridge from 2001's 'Free All Angels' to the harder edged feel of Ash circa 2004. Just one of many excellent singles or potential singles from the quartet's current album. (3/5)
Beastie Boys - Open Letter To NYC As a new different sound on "5 Boroughs," this track, talking about both a pre and a post 9/11 New York, has a great sound. Everything about this track is good: Lyrics, Hook, Beat, ect.
The wretched lyric: 'Two towers down/but you're still in the game,' its one of the best on the whole album. (5/5)
Beautiful South - This Old Skin: The track is their unique version of the lost classic by The Hepplebaums. Hailing from South Carolina and of German descent, the almost mystical band was first played to vocalist Paul Heaton by friends during one of his many visits to Germany. Paul describes the band as sounding, "a little like early Crass, a bit Grateful Dead..."
If ever one cover track heard best than original, then this is it! (4/5)
The Corrs - Long Night: The band's latest single, “Long Night”, the third single off "Borrowed Heaven", will now be released in the UK on December 6th, the perfect stocking filler for you and all your friends. 'Long night' is a nice beautiful ballard which really stands out and reminds you of the like of Intimacy from Talk On Corners.
A hounting, impressive Pop song about love, sung with the deepest feelings. The instrumental interludes are excellent, it is incredible how the simple theme can be varied. They are growing step by step and I always feel freezing in my back while listening to it! But I cannot listen to it always, eg as to 'Summer Sunshine' or 'Angel' which are easier - it has to be a special occasion... (3/5)
Elliott Smith - Pretty (Ugly Before): Its a shame that the British Music Press and Radio Stations only seem to jump on an 'American' band wagon when somebody dies! Maybe Ryan Adams, Los Lonely Boys or John Mayer will also need to kill theirselfs before all the music press stop knocking them.
The standout gem of his last album 'From A Basement On The Hill' is the single 'Pretty (Ugly Before)': a brilliant and heartfelt song which has immediately become one of my all-time favourite songs. (5/5)
Mousse T feat. Emma Lanford - Right About Now: Mousse T finally unveils the album of the same name on January 10. A quixotic brew of indie, electro-pop, downbeat, blues, orch-soul and funk, this experimental album showcases a more mature side to Mousse T than anyone may have predicted. As has become the norm on recent Mousse-t singles, he utilises the talents of songstress Emma Lanford.
'Right About Now' has great instrumentation, and is sung pretty well by a sultry-voiced singer who has a surprising talent for phrasing. it is a big change in direction both quality and style wise: this time it's a rocky-electro effort and it's surprisingly good! (3/5)
Robbie Williams - Misunderstood: It is a romantic orchestral ballad that features in 'Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason,' and is also an extra track of the Robbie Williams Greatest Hits album. Robbie now understands that he is growing: he changes from a 'Pop Idol' to a decent singer (maybe a newest Elton John?) A true and simple ballad, from first listening to this song, you can hear that Robbie's voice has definately matured. He sounds so soft, and the song is very touching.
The track makes you wonder who has been write it, and what has happened in his life that made him write this song! (4/5)
Russell Watson - You Raise Me Up: 'Amore Musica' is an amazing fourth album from Russell and I'm sure If 'You raised Me Up' will be charted. If Americans are having Josh Groban, then Europeans have the responses: Russell Watson, Andrea Bocelli and Mario Frangoulis (but as always, the Europeans buys them only if they have success/hits first at North America. Stupid behaviour or the European Radio Stations are living in another world?)
So, what's so special about Russell Watson is that he never bores you. I am amazed by his many styles and voices and all equally wonderful. 'You Raise Me Up' gives me goose bumps every time I hear it (only on the BBC Radio 2) by Russell. (5/5)
Talib Kweli Ft Mary J Blige - I Try: "The Beautiful Struggle" has been released worldwide and Kanye returns to Talib Kweli's side, along with Mary J. Blige, for "I Try," with what looks to be his biggest hit yet.
'I Try', the album's lead single sees both Talib and Kanye West, the man behind the boards for this track attempt to create the success. Mary J Blige is recruited for her magic touch on the hook over a delicate piano loop. (3/5).
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
3rd Wish Ft Baby Bash - Obsesion (Si Es Amor)
Alison Moyet - Almost Blue/Alfie
Art Brut - Modern Art / My Little Brother
Ash - Renegade Cavalcade
Beastie Boys - Open Letter To NYC
Beautiful South - This Old Skin
Bent - Flavour Country EP
Brian Wilson - Good Vibrations
Cass McCombs - Sacred Heart
Cheeky Girls Ft Andy Newton Lee - Boys And Girls (Christmas Time Love)
The Corrs - Long Night
Digitonal - The Centre Cannot Hold
Dresden Dolls - Black Sabbath's War Pigs (Download / MP3)
Elefant - Misfit
Elliott Smith - Pretty Ugly Before
Fever - Bridge And Tunnel
Jethro Tull - Jethro Tull Christmas EP
Jetplane Landing - There Is No Real Courage Unless There Is Real Danger
Kylie Minogue - I Believe In You
Loose Cannons - Got It All Wrong
Ludes - Radio
Maroon 5 - Sunday Morning
Mousse T feat. Emma Lanford - Right About Now
Paul Holt - 50 Grand For Christmas
Robbie Williams - Misunderstood
Rodney P Ft Mystro - I Don't Care (Time To Party)
Russell Watson - You Raise Me Up
Sugarcult - She's The Blade
Salon Boris - Freakshow
Talib Kweli Ft Mary J Blige - I Try
Tubby T - Ready She Ready
Singles Release Schedule
December 13
Blink 182 - Always
Bo Selecta - I Got You Babe/Sodapop
Cliff Richard - I Cannot Give You My Love
The Concretes - Warm Night
Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter
Electric Six - Radio Ga Ga
Features - Leave It All Behind
Gene - Let Me Move On
Goldie Lookin' Chain - You Knows I Love You
Hot Pantz - Give You One For Christmas
Jim Noir - Eanie Meany EP
John Fox - Mr No
Lucky Jim - Lesbia EP
Medicine Hat - Old Time Rock N Roll
Morrissey - I Have Forgiven Jesus
My Chemical Romance - Thank You For The Venom
Radio Dept - Ewan
Ronan Keating Ft Yusuf - Father And Son
Sandra McCracken - No More Tears
Sheila Ferguson - New Kind Of Medicine
Sir Ivan - Peace On Earth
Skandi Girls - Do The Can Can
Stewart Francke - Safely Home
Tony Christie - Amarillo
Undesided - What I'm Here For/Crunked It
Zutons - Confusion
December 20
100% Ft Jennifer John - Just Can't Wait (Saturday)
Charlatans - Loving You Is Easy
Joe Brown - I'll See You In My Dreams
Mr Christmas - Christmas Everyday
Star Turn on 45 Pints - Take Me Out
Sweet Revenge - Simon Cowell Says
Tara Blaise - Fool For Love
X Factor Winner - TBA
December 27
Jet - Get Me Outta Here
Secret Machines - Sad And Lonely
January 3
Atomic Kitten - Cradle
Blue Ft Lil Kim - Get Down On It
Dana Rayne - Object Of My Desire
Elvis Presley - All Shook Up
Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock
Erasure - Breathe
Interpol - Evil
Iron Maiden - Number Of The Beast
Kasabian - Cutt Off
Kinison - You'll Never Guess Who Died
Manic Street Preachers - Empty Souls
Scissor Sisters - Filthy/Gorgeous
Seagulls Ska - Tom Hark (We Want Father)
Urban Cookie Collective - The Key, The Secret 2005
January 10
Andrew Bird - Sovay
Asia - Long Way From Home
Candidate - Mountain Show
Client Ft Carl Barat - Pornography
D:Rail - How Do I Say Goodbye
Darius - Live Twice
Elvis Presley - One Night
Jamie Scott - Searching
The Killers - Somebody Told Me
Kings of Convenience - Know How
Kings of Leon - 4 Kicks
Lazyboy - Police Dogs' Bonfire
Lethal Bizzle - Pow (Forward)
Little Barrie - Free Salute
Longview - Coming Down /When You Sleep
Minnie Driver - Invisible Girl
The Music - Breakin'
Narcotic Thrust - When The Dawn Breaks
Pink Grease - Strip
Pop! - Serious
Roni Size and Beverley Knight - No More
Rooster - Staring At The Sun
Soul Central Ft Kathy Brown - Strings Of Life/Stronger On My Own
Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Breakdown
Thirteen Senses - Thru The Glass
January 17
Beastie Boys - Right Right Now Now
Beck - Gospel
Ben Watt - Pop A Cap In Yo Ass
Bjork - Triumph Of The Heart
Breed 77 - Shadows
Chemical Brothers - Galvanise
Ciara - Goodies
Dead Fly Buchowski - Blackout
Elvis Presley - A Fool Such As I
Feeder - Tumble And Fall
Guy Sebastian and Mya - Forever With You
Ian Brown - Time Is My Everything
Immediate - Never Seen/Say This
Lucie Silvas - Breathe In
Mates of State - All Day EP
Mercury Rev - In A Funny Way
Mooney Suzuki - Alive And Amplified
Mos Def - Sex, Love And Money
The Others - Lackey
Roots Manuva - Colossal Insight
Soulwax - E Talking
Stonebridge Ft Therese - Take Me Away
The Used - Take It Away
January 24
Amsterdam - The Journey
Apartment - Everyone Thinks I'm Paranoid
Ashanti - Only You
Athlete - Wires
David Kitt - Dancing In The Moonlight
Elvis Presley - It's Now Or Never
Hanson - Penny And Me
Ian Broudie - Song For No One
Jennifer Lopez - Get Right
Juliet Turner - Vampire
Mylo - Destroy Rock N Roll
Phixx - Strange Love
Wedding Present - I'm Further North Than You
X-Zibit - Hey Now (Mean Muggin')
January 31
Demon Summer - Burn
Duran Duran - What Happens Tomorrow
Elvis Presley - Are You Lonesome Tonight?
Fierce Girl - What Makes A Girl Fierce?
Ga Gas - Sex
HAL - What A Lovely Dance
Hammerfall - Blood Bound
Heather Small - Proud
Jentina - Mysterious
Raghav - Angeleyes
Soilwork - TBC
February 7
Alicia Keys - Karma
Destiny's Child - Soldier
Elvis Presley - Wooden Heart
The Glitterati - Back In Power
Hall & Oates - I Can Dream About It
Josh Rouse - Hamptons For The Winter
The Kills - The Good Ones
Wee Phillie Ft DJ Gotti - Bang On The Drum
