tamarisk
May 22nd, 2004, 12:10 PM
by Jenny (London, UK)
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Deepest Blue - Is It A Sin?: Deepest Blue, the tantalising brainchild of producer Matt Schwartz and singer-songwriter Joel Edwards, are back with their third addictive single, 'Is It A Sin'
It's a complete turnaround from their familiar dance sound, and they've moved on to a decidedly more rocky direction; it's another track which has chart success written all over it, and being hammered on Radio 1's airwaves can't do it any harm either.
Following on from "Give It Away", Deepest Blue return with another sophisticated and expressive production. Topped with Joel Edward's beguilling vocals, it's a great taster of what's in store on their forthcoming album "Late September" due on June 7.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Hoobastank - The Reason: What can we say? this single is beyond words. Most of the rock music today is based on the singers being pissed off at someone and mad at the world but Hoobastank is different. Douglas Robb sings with so much emotion that you feel like he's actually been through what he's singing about.
The Reason - I listened to this song over and over again. Robb sings this rock ballad with so much emotion that you almost feel his pain and longing. Lyrics about changing for someone you love. "The Reason" speaks for itself. It's an instant classic. Don't skip over any of the songs to get to this track! The talent these guys have is just unbelievable; you are going to love them - from this track on the radio, totally melodic with an edge which is where we are in life. The band is coming to UK for 2 lives/performances at festivals due June, don't miss it.
All About Eve - Let Me Go Home: The first All About Eve single for... well, a long time! All About Eve are back on top form, riding high on the success of their recent UK tour. This single is so long overdue and their sound is built upon the cohesion found in their current lineup. Julianne Regan still fronts the group with her unmistakable, ethereal vocals whilst the band have "burned their acoustic guitars" and have developed a more solid, edgier, electric sound. The title track rocks and it should be everyone's evening drive time radio request. And if you dimly remember top 10 hit Martha's Harbour and think that this might have a similar sound - forget it! There's no sign of an acoustic guitar anywhere near this song, but who cares. It's great. Play it loud for maximum effect!
Jagged Edge - What's It Like: Jagged Edge are back in effect with new single from their latest album 'Hard'. For all JE fans, no introductions are necessary - for those of you who are not ...where have you been?
The production of 'What's It Like' is excellent, a nice mix of slow jams/party anthems. The singing is amazing, on of the best groups of their kind right now. When I first heard this single I thought how is it going to possibly compete with their previous amazing singles! But the boys have gon and done it again. To be perfectly honest, this track should increase the number of listeners they already have: this is a classic.
Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl: Despite the recent spate of bands associating with AC/DC, Iggy Pop and the Rolling Stones, few bands have done anything other than place their fingers on the frets and hit chords whose patents have long stopped being pending. In Jet's case, the problems lie with its desire to please but its unwillingness to stick its neck out. With Get Born, Jet's debut album, we are taxied enthusiastically across the runway! For another time one single from a foreign artist/band is releasing in UK market with the biggest possible delay: we are waiting for 'Are you going be my girl' one year, that's why the UK Official Singles chart-listing seems so old for the rest of the world!
Junior Jack - Stupidisco: The prospect of a full length album from any DJ/producer whose singles have wreaked havoc on dance floors the world over always brings a fear that they won't be able to deliver a full hour designed to be listened to in its entirety. Junior Jack's new single "Stupid Disco" is an upfront anthem track!
The final result is sounding very good in a club and Junior Jack consolidates his position as one of the world's leading DJ/Producers with this massive funky, electro-tinged house music debut built on some of the wildest basslines around. 'Stupid Disco' could be claimed that it's slightly 'pick 'n' mix' and overly 'chart-friendly' at times, but that is perhaps its strongest asset. A must have dance track for the 2004 summer!
Kelis - Trick Me: 'trick Me' is the new single for Kelis, excellent song, great sample(?), nearly as catchy as Milkshake - that's saying a lot as Milkshake is the catchiest song in a long time! "Trick me" is a brilliant attempt at rock r'n'b style, done with style.
This single is listening on the radio so funky and fresh, her trademark neptunes colabo's are still there but working with other people has really made her shine. For another time after 'Milkshake' Kelis brings us a raised eyebrow and good humour to the 21st century sex-u-up template.
Kristian Leontiou - Story of My Life: First caught this single watching music channels late at night a while back, and though I had not seen it from the start, it soon brought a tear to my eye, just from the sheer beauty of it. The 22 year old Londoner Kristian has a voice which really brings out the emotion in this song and it is certainly not another ballad, though at times it does have relatively simple lyrics. When I heard this song again on the radio earlier, it just brought it all back to me, and I am glad to see it being released soon, and will definitly be buying a copy when it is.
If you like your emotional ballads without being too soppy, then you'll like this. Fantastic voice, beautifully written, mid-tempo melancholic track - maybe a younger, more poppy David Gray?
Stand-Out Line (To Me): "we cry, and still they say, the past won't go away, story of my life" it just sticks in your mind.
Norah Jones - What Am I To You?: I was a little apprehensive about Norah's "Feels Like Home" on the first few listenings. My initial thought, nowhere near as good as "Come Away With Me" or "New York City". I WAS WRONG. First impressions are not always the best when it comes to musical assessment.With 'What Am I To You?", the follow-up to her eight times Grammy winning debut single, "Sunrise," easy listening's 24 year-old poster girl Norah Jones has a staggering weight of expectation to live up to again.
With "What Am I To You?" Norah Jones ushers in more gentle sauntering and Blues/jazz-sweet reflection. There is a change in musical direction here, but I feels it did not go far enough.
Sarah Connor - Bounce: I HIGHLY recommned Sarah, she is one of my fav artist. She˘s got a voice like Christina Aguleria (yet she doesn˘t over use it), the beauty of Britney Spears, the beats of TLC and the attitude of Madonna. Sarah Connor has been big in Germany for years. At the age 17 after performing on stage with Michael Jackson she was inspired to make music her career. Her first 3 albums "Green eyed soul", "Unbelievable", and "Key to my soul" each individually prompting several #1's and being ranked in Europe˘s top 100 best selling albums.
After the success of her November release, and the birth of her son Tyler in February, Sarah is scheduling the "Bounce". I˘m not sure if Britons˘s are ready for it as a single but it would be something different. It features the rnb/rap group Naturally 7 heavily so its not just all Sarah. The vocals are beautiful on this one and it also holds a beautiful message. Very inspirational!
The Vines - Winning Days: The Vines earn damnation to the rock world with the 'Winning Days.' From listening to this single several times, you can't help but feel it has been recorded in a state of confusion and some degree of turmoil. It has a schizophrenic quality to it, veering awkwardly between full out rock numbers, that steer a little too close to the long forgotten grunge sound.
I can't help more but feel The Vines would benefit from finding some direction in their music. Probably only recommended for fans, or the type of people who choose to pick their favourites off an album, rather than listen to it in its entirety.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
May 24
The Alarm - New Home, New Life
All About Eve - Let Me Go Home
Amy Wadge - Just In Time
Barrelhouse Blues Orchestra - Jumping Jack Flash
Blonde Redhead - Equus
Blueskins - Stupid Ones
Crash Convention - Patrick O'Neil/Making Faces
David Mead - Beauty
Deepest Blue - Is It A Sin?
Dynamite MC - Ride
Features - A Million Ways To Sing The Blues
Hardsoul - Back Together
Hinda Hicks - Up, Up
Honeymoon Machine - Angie
Hoobastank - The Reason
Hope Of The States - The Red, The White, The Black, The Blue
Ikara Colt - Wake In The City
InMe - Faster The Chase
Jagged Edge - What's It Like
Jimmy Johnstone & Shane MacGowan - Dirty Ole Town/Road To Paradise
Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl
Junior Jack - Stupidisco
Kelis - Trick Me
Killers - Mr Brightside
Kristian Leontiou - Story Of My Life
The Liars - We Fenced Other Gardens With Bones Of Our Own
M83 - America
Mass - Testify
Morjac featuring Marly - You Never Know
Norah Jones - What Am I To You?
The Offspring - (Can't Get My) Head Around You
Polly Paulusma - Give It Back
Sam & Mark - The Sun Has Come Your Way
Sarah Connor - Bounce
Scout Niblett - Uptown Top Ranking
Signum - What Ya Got For Me?
Supergrass - Kiss Of Life
V - Blood, Sweat And Tears
The Vines - Winning Days
RECORD OF THE WEEK
Deepest Blue - Is It A Sin?: Deepest Blue, the tantalising brainchild of producer Matt Schwartz and singer-songwriter Joel Edwards, are back with their third addictive single, 'Is It A Sin'
It's a complete turnaround from their familiar dance sound, and they've moved on to a decidedly more rocky direction; it's another track which has chart success written all over it, and being hammered on Radio 1's airwaves can't do it any harm either.
Following on from "Give It Away", Deepest Blue return with another sophisticated and expressive production. Topped with Joel Edward's beguilling vocals, it's a great taster of what's in store on their forthcoming album "Late September" due on June 7.
HOT SHOT RECORD
Hoobastank - The Reason: What can we say? this single is beyond words. Most of the rock music today is based on the singers being pissed off at someone and mad at the world but Hoobastank is different. Douglas Robb sings with so much emotion that you feel like he's actually been through what he's singing about.
The Reason - I listened to this song over and over again. Robb sings this rock ballad with so much emotion that you almost feel his pain and longing. Lyrics about changing for someone you love. "The Reason" speaks for itself. It's an instant classic. Don't skip over any of the songs to get to this track! The talent these guys have is just unbelievable; you are going to love them - from this track on the radio, totally melodic with an edge which is where we are in life. The band is coming to UK for 2 lives/performances at festivals due June, don't miss it.
All About Eve - Let Me Go Home: The first All About Eve single for... well, a long time! All About Eve are back on top form, riding high on the success of their recent UK tour. This single is so long overdue and their sound is built upon the cohesion found in their current lineup. Julianne Regan still fronts the group with her unmistakable, ethereal vocals whilst the band have "burned their acoustic guitars" and have developed a more solid, edgier, electric sound. The title track rocks and it should be everyone's evening drive time radio request. And if you dimly remember top 10 hit Martha's Harbour and think that this might have a similar sound - forget it! There's no sign of an acoustic guitar anywhere near this song, but who cares. It's great. Play it loud for maximum effect!
Jagged Edge - What's It Like: Jagged Edge are back in effect with new single from their latest album 'Hard'. For all JE fans, no introductions are necessary - for those of you who are not ...where have you been?
The production of 'What's It Like' is excellent, a nice mix of slow jams/party anthems. The singing is amazing, on of the best groups of their kind right now. When I first heard this single I thought how is it going to possibly compete with their previous amazing singles! But the boys have gon and done it again. To be perfectly honest, this track should increase the number of listeners they already have: this is a classic.
Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl: Despite the recent spate of bands associating with AC/DC, Iggy Pop and the Rolling Stones, few bands have done anything other than place their fingers on the frets and hit chords whose patents have long stopped being pending. In Jet's case, the problems lie with its desire to please but its unwillingness to stick its neck out. With Get Born, Jet's debut album, we are taxied enthusiastically across the runway! For another time one single from a foreign artist/band is releasing in UK market with the biggest possible delay: we are waiting for 'Are you going be my girl' one year, that's why the UK Official Singles chart-listing seems so old for the rest of the world!
Junior Jack - Stupidisco: The prospect of a full length album from any DJ/producer whose singles have wreaked havoc on dance floors the world over always brings a fear that they won't be able to deliver a full hour designed to be listened to in its entirety. Junior Jack's new single "Stupid Disco" is an upfront anthem track!
The final result is sounding very good in a club and Junior Jack consolidates his position as one of the world's leading DJ/Producers with this massive funky, electro-tinged house music debut built on some of the wildest basslines around. 'Stupid Disco' could be claimed that it's slightly 'pick 'n' mix' and overly 'chart-friendly' at times, but that is perhaps its strongest asset. A must have dance track for the 2004 summer!
Kelis - Trick Me: 'trick Me' is the new single for Kelis, excellent song, great sample(?), nearly as catchy as Milkshake - that's saying a lot as Milkshake is the catchiest song in a long time! "Trick me" is a brilliant attempt at rock r'n'b style, done with style.
This single is listening on the radio so funky and fresh, her trademark neptunes colabo's are still there but working with other people has really made her shine. For another time after 'Milkshake' Kelis brings us a raised eyebrow and good humour to the 21st century sex-u-up template.
Kristian Leontiou - Story of My Life: First caught this single watching music channels late at night a while back, and though I had not seen it from the start, it soon brought a tear to my eye, just from the sheer beauty of it. The 22 year old Londoner Kristian has a voice which really brings out the emotion in this song and it is certainly not another ballad, though at times it does have relatively simple lyrics. When I heard this song again on the radio earlier, it just brought it all back to me, and I am glad to see it being released soon, and will definitly be buying a copy when it is.
If you like your emotional ballads without being too soppy, then you'll like this. Fantastic voice, beautifully written, mid-tempo melancholic track - maybe a younger, more poppy David Gray?
Stand-Out Line (To Me): "we cry, and still they say, the past won't go away, story of my life" it just sticks in your mind.
Norah Jones - What Am I To You?: I was a little apprehensive about Norah's "Feels Like Home" on the first few listenings. My initial thought, nowhere near as good as "Come Away With Me" or "New York City". I WAS WRONG. First impressions are not always the best when it comes to musical assessment.With 'What Am I To You?", the follow-up to her eight times Grammy winning debut single, "Sunrise," easy listening's 24 year-old poster girl Norah Jones has a staggering weight of expectation to live up to again.
With "What Am I To You?" Norah Jones ushers in more gentle sauntering and Blues/jazz-sweet reflection. There is a change in musical direction here, but I feels it did not go far enough.
Sarah Connor - Bounce: I HIGHLY recommned Sarah, she is one of my fav artist. She˘s got a voice like Christina Aguleria (yet she doesn˘t over use it), the beauty of Britney Spears, the beats of TLC and the attitude of Madonna. Sarah Connor has been big in Germany for years. At the age 17 after performing on stage with Michael Jackson she was inspired to make music her career. Her first 3 albums "Green eyed soul", "Unbelievable", and "Key to my soul" each individually prompting several #1's and being ranked in Europe˘s top 100 best selling albums.
After the success of her November release, and the birth of her son Tyler in February, Sarah is scheduling the "Bounce". I˘m not sure if Britons˘s are ready for it as a single but it would be something different. It features the rnb/rap group Naturally 7 heavily so its not just all Sarah. The vocals are beautiful on this one and it also holds a beautiful message. Very inspirational!
The Vines - Winning Days: The Vines earn damnation to the rock world with the 'Winning Days.' From listening to this single several times, you can't help but feel it has been recorded in a state of confusion and some degree of turmoil. It has a schizophrenic quality to it, veering awkwardly between full out rock numbers, that steer a little too close to the long forgotten grunge sound.
I can't help more but feel The Vines would benefit from finding some direction in their music. Probably only recommended for fans, or the type of people who choose to pick their favourites off an album, rather than listen to it in its entirety.
OTHER SINGLES RELEASED THIS WEEK
May 24
The Alarm - New Home, New Life
All About Eve - Let Me Go Home
Amy Wadge - Just In Time
Barrelhouse Blues Orchestra - Jumping Jack Flash
Blonde Redhead - Equus
Blueskins - Stupid Ones
Crash Convention - Patrick O'Neil/Making Faces
David Mead - Beauty
Deepest Blue - Is It A Sin?
Dynamite MC - Ride
Features - A Million Ways To Sing The Blues
Hardsoul - Back Together
Hinda Hicks - Up, Up
Honeymoon Machine - Angie
Hoobastank - The Reason
Hope Of The States - The Red, The White, The Black, The Blue
Ikara Colt - Wake In The City
InMe - Faster The Chase
Jagged Edge - What's It Like
Jimmy Johnstone & Shane MacGowan - Dirty Ole Town/Road To Paradise
Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl
Junior Jack - Stupidisco
Kelis - Trick Me
Killers - Mr Brightside
Kristian Leontiou - Story Of My Life
The Liars - We Fenced Other Gardens With Bones Of Our Own
M83 - America
Mass - Testify
Morjac featuring Marly - You Never Know
Norah Jones - What Am I To You?
The Offspring - (Can't Get My) Head Around You
Polly Paulusma - Give It Back
Sam & Mark - The Sun Has Come Your Way
Sarah Connor - Bounce
Scout Niblett - Uptown Top Ranking
Signum - What Ya Got For Me?
Supergrass - Kiss Of Life
V - Blood, Sweat And Tears
The Vines - Winning Days