New Releases-17 November

New Releases-17 November

13 November, 2008
by: Music Team

*Single of the Week*

Esser – Satisfied
Transgressive

Ooh I feel ropey this morning – it's a tough life going to snazzy fashion mag parties all the time. But this song makes me feel a whole heap better.

Esser – who looks like a cross between Mike Skinner and Dec (of 'Ant and' fame) but with a trendy haircut – is the latest cool kid from the Transgressive stable. Satisfied has a nice bouncy fairground rhythm and some gentle repetitive lyrics about women trouble and stuff. Plus the video is a bit like that scene from Live and Let Die. I could listen to this all day I think. TJ

Chipmunk – Beast
Alwayz

Right what's this new grime track by Wiley protégé Chipmunk like then? Well, listening to it, I can feel all the life slowly draining out of my body as the slow, droning, thumping bass (interspersed with smashing windows and yowling cats) plods on.

Wait a sec - some Casio effects and police sirens, this is picking up...oh no more yowling cats. What's that? He just won 'Best UK Newcomer' at the MOBO Awards? Perhaps I'm not the best person to review this. EM

Asobi Seksu – Me and Mary
One Little Indian

This song hits the precise emotional tone between the vague irritation caused by carpet burn and the stony-faced indifference induced by accidentally hearing Paris Hilton speak.

Maybe it's the falsetto vocals, maybe it's the non-descript, flailing melody. I actually want to like this band; the lyrics are good, their name is Japanese for 'playful sex', the singer is a Japanese fox from NYC. Thing is, I just don't. LC

Stars and Sons – In the Ocean
Alcopop! Records

Stars and Sons have just been signed to Alcopop Records and if they were an alcoholic beverage, this would sum them up perfectly. Incredibly saccharine and doesn't quite deliver the kick you were hoping for.

They do however know how to do a music video on a budget. No wedge to hire gorgeous girls? Just superimpose Scarlett Johansson's face over your girlfriend's. No budget for a lavish underwater scene? Just use a blue bedroom and add some cartoon bubbles. EM

James Blunt – Love Love Love
Custard/Atlantic Records

'I love everybody who's fool enough to believe' warbles James. And he shags a good number of them too. Love… assuages forgotten groupies by claiming that he really loves them, and when he kicks them out of bed 'although it kills me, it's a lie that sets you free'.

I don't hate Blunt – he's a bally hero – and this is an acceptable addition to his radio rotation. Here, he notches another hit, placates his conquests, gives them hope, has cake, eats it. JH

Middle Class Rut – Busy Bein'Born
Kids/Bright Antenna

Odd that Californian duo Middle Class Rut have chosen to omit the 'g' from the word being in the title of their latest track, but that's the youth of today for you.

It's got a big dirgy portentous intro that gives way to some rather loud stodge-rock leavened only by a healthy dose of angry shouting and a pinch of guitar squeal. A bit of an early '90s plaid-shirt-fest, but there's nothing intrinsically wrong with that I guess. TJ

Fan Death – Veronica's Veil
Phantasy Sound

Well I guess it had to happen eventually. With Shoreditch desperately trying to revive the New York disco scene, it's taken a coupe of girls from New York to resurrect the thing that everyone has been missing – the patented 'Disco Inferno' violin sound. Bang that sucker on a tame electro sound and BOOM! instant Studio 54!

The two guys in Heartbreak are slapping their heads right now, screaming 'why didn't we think of that'. DH

Shinedown – Devour
Atlantic Records

Grrr… angry. But don't trust 'hardcore' rock with decipherable lyrics. All anger and angst here is designed for maximum MTV impact/teen empathy. The video comes complete with ludicrous underwater singing and singer Brett Smith in uncanny Ozzy Osbourne fancy dress.

Good enough to carry ludicrous ipod/Nike competitive joggers over an uphill bit, but completely derivative. An unfortunate rip-off of Aerosmith's 'Love In An Elevator' on the bridge highlights the difference between knowingly silly and just lame. JH

Hot Silk Pockets – Panda Eyes
Stolen Recordings

Me: Look I'm not a girl or nothing, but I'm pretty sure Panda Eyes are what happens to chicks and emos after a massive night on the tiles or an emotional time, right?

Hot Silk Pockets cock heads and give cute quizzical looks.

Me: Well, why is your song so happy? I mean, if I was bummed out, hung-over and miserable I wouldn't identify with a really positive electro garage song – as good as it is.

Hot Silk Pockets more quizzical looks

Me: You just don't get it do you...? DH

Akon – Right Now Na Na Na
Universal

Oh dear. Not only has Akon resorted to this rather dubious offering as a title, but he's released a track which manages to combine over-produced RnB with nightmare funky house.

The chorus. 'I wanna make love right now na na, wish we never broke up na na na, we need to link up na na na….' Thing is, this guy is actually popular. I'll probably hear 'Right Now Na Na Na' playing on some mini badboy's phone on the bus tomorrow. LC

Music Team