I have always enjoyed single reviews more than album ones, mainly because my mind seems to wander. You can be doing an album review and an hour later realise you have completed fifty games of Solitaire but only have five lines of text to show for your work. On singles, you can't not pay attention (unless they're particularly shite).
All words - Suzy Sims
First published on Native.tv http://www.native.tv/
(c) Niche News & Publishing Ltd
Klaxons - Atlantis To Interzone
Meroc Recordings, 2006
First listen: Oh dear God. What is that noise??
Third listen: Oh dear God. This is genius!
Following on from 'Xan Valleys' and the sparkling joy that is 'Gravity's Rainbow' comes the crazed 'Atlantis To Interzone.' It's like being bundled inside some sort of neon tumble drier, spun around crazily and spat back out into an exhilarating mess on the carpet. This song has so many parts, from the guitar bridge into the roared chorus, accompanied by demonic angels on backing vocals; a wild intro giving you no pause for breath before those sirens kick in, and the tuneless crash at the finale. Fantastic. Forthcoming album 'Myths Of The Near Future' is bound to be a cult classic.
http://www.myspace.com/klaxons
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¡Forward Russia! - Nineteen
Dance To The Radio, 13th November 2006
Now where's that upside-down exclamation mark button when you need it? ¡Forward Russia! are a favourite of mine due to their habit of naming all their tracks after numbers. 'Give Me A Wall's opener? 'Thirteen'. And track five is 'Nineteen'. Their music is a fascinating mix of heavy, thought-provoking tunes passing by majestically before being broken up by soaring clear choruses with more than a whiff of U2 about them. 'Nineteen' opens with a mildly-depressing synth broken up by random drum beats before the guitar thumps crisply, sending your mind into a paroxysm before being soothed by delicate keyboards. Good stuff to get your teeth into.
http://www.forwardrussia.com/
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Little Man Tate - Man I Hate Your Band
V2, 13th November 2006
I have a bit of a soft spot for LMT. 'House Party At Boothy's' was one of my songs of the summer, with its catchy tune, 'naaaaa... na na naaaa's and cheeky little lyrics. I had high hopes for this optimistic number. It turned out to be, well, not as exciting as 'What? What You Got', or as witty as ‘…Boothy’s’, and frankly the title is asking for trouble. But it’s a good solid track which is definitely a grower and keeps the LMT standards flying high above others in the indie murk. 'No knickers underneath.' I bet they haven't, the cheeky buggers.
http://www.littlemantate.co.uk
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The Pigeon Detectives - I Found Out
Dance To The Radio, 6th November 2006
Sounding a little tamer than the raw demo which has been kicking about for some time, this is the first full release from the excellent Pigeon Detectives. This is one of their crowdpleasers. Try and listen without a) joining in the 'GOING OUT WITH's; b) holding your breath on the hand-clapping jobby in the middle and c) leaping about headbutting everyone present when the guitars roar back into life - it isn't easy, trust us. Then put on repeat and jump about again. Go catch them live if you can, to see what the fuss is about...
http://www.thepigeondetectives.com
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Good Shoes - The Photos On My Wall
Brille Records, 25th December 2006
Poor Good Shoes. Someone's decided to release this single on Christmas Day, which means the only people to buy it there and then will be the ones stuck at home playing on the Internet over the festive season. And everyone will ignore it on the shelves later because it's not in the sale. Which is a shame, because it's a cheerful, friendly and jangling slice of indie pop guaranteed to rouse anyone out of their post-Xmas slumbers. It's also nice and short, leaving you wanting more - you won't get stuffed sick on this particular Christmas treat.
http://www.goodshoes.co.uk/
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The Holloways - It's Christmas It's Christmas Everybody Loves It
TVT Records, free download over Christmas 2006
OK, so this isn't strictly a release. It's a free track available on their MySpace during Christmas. It begins with wintery jingle bells before some near glam-rock guitars thump in and the cheeky chaps start singing along. 'Eat your food and drink your beer and laugh until you cry.' As Christmas tracks go, it's a more sensible-sounding Wizzard singalong. Far better than that awful 'The Power of Love' which is on every stupid Christmas album. Or even - shudder - a David Hasselhoff. There were a couple of versions bobbing about - we like the one which finishes with the New Year plan squawked out at the end - 'I'm going to get shit-faced down the social club.' We're with you sonny, we're with you.
http://www.myspace.com/theholloways
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The Cooper Temple Clause - Waiting Game
Sanctuary Records, 8th January 2007
The latest offering from the Cooper Temple Clause sounds to me like someone's about to be dumped. '"Is this the end?" is all I can say... I promise I never meant to turn you away,' says Dan Fisher. 'You can begin on your own…' It’s pumping yet slightly downbeat. There's also a bit of an '- oh, it's finished' ending. But it's a solid thumping piece of indie rock which many a teenager may be weeping along to in their student digs accompanied by a few cans of whatever beer's on special. There's something gloomy yet comforting about this track, and that's quite nice.
http://www.thecoopertempleclause.co.uk/
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Keane - A Bad Dream
Island, 22nd January 2007
Oh dear, it sounds like Keane have been eating too much cheese before bedtime. Keane are always good at those sweeping, dramatic choruses and this is no different to their others. Maybe that's the problem - it's actually no different. Heard it all before. To be honest, it starts a bit soft and weedy. Slightly mournful and downbeat, this will please Keane fans who haven't already heard it on 'Under The Iron Sea' but it's not really strong enough to win them new listeners. It is available on USB ministick though, music collectors/computer boffins; so bonus points on the format front for the Keane boys.
http://www.keanemusic.com/
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Klaxons - Golden Skans
Polydor, 8th January 2007
Lots of 'ooohs' and 'ahhhs' like the Klaxons lads are at a pleasant indoor firework display. ‘Golden Skans’ should do a good job attracting people to their album, people who might not be quite so aware of their other tracks. This song has 'Radio Friendly' scrawled across it in a big old marker pen. But does that make it any worse than previous offerings? It's certainly different. There's something a little unsettling about this, something simmering under the surface. It's peaceful in a strange way, as in if you lay down to sleep next to it, you might not wake up again. But to me the song doesn't quite get where it could be and I'm left unsatisfied.
http://www.klaxons.net/
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Koopa - Blag, Steal & Borrow
Unsigned, 8th January 2007
Ahh, I see by the title Koopa know exactly how to get what they want on their rider. Couldn't write the new single reviews without mentioning this band, who have made headlines by becoming the first unsigned band to get a top 40 song, thanks to the new chart rules on all downloads. But is it any good? Reminiscent of Busted, there are definite US rock tones and chord progressions throughout this. It's all right, a solid rock track. 'The industry is on its arse...,' Koopa moan, later citing displeasure 'if your first single don't make number one.' Could be onto something boys. I'm sure sales of this will shoot up further because of countless reviewers looking to see what the fuss is about.
http://koopatheband.com/
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Mika - Grace Kelly
Casablanca Music, 8th January 2007
Right, what have we got here. Mika has been voted the BBC's 'Sound of 2007' which isn't bad seeing as it's only the second week of January. Instant thoughts - Queen. This has you simultaneously tapping your feet and grinding your teeth. It's fun, it's catchy and cheesy, yet a sinking heart says this is what the radio will be playing for the next 18 months. The potential to be the most stress-causing song of the year, and could do without that 'ker-ching!' on the end. 'Why don't you like me, why don't you walk out the door?' he asks. It's because we're riveted to the spot, and we're not entirely sure whether to pat you on the head or flee with dignity intact.
http://www.mikasounds.com
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My Chemical Romance - Famous Last Words
Reprise, 22nd January 2007
Maybe MCR have been playing those MySpace quizzes which tell you what your last words will be (mine are apparently "So I press this button and..."). Rock pomp; possibly the band have been reading from the Muse Bible of full-blown, melodramatic pieces, while the guitar solos are borrowed from hairdresser's nightmare Brian May. It's pretty good actually, which I wasn't expecting; an enjoyable crash through the Black Parade. Check out the quieter bit three minutes into it and prepare to weep along with the rest of their fans when the song rises up again from the dead. "I am not afraid to keep on living." Go for it!
http://www.mychemicalromance.com
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