New Releases - 1st June

New Releases - 1st June

27 May, 2009
by: Music Team

*Single of the Week*

Gang Gang Dance – First Communion
Warp

This is one of the danciest tracks on GGD's lauded fourth album, 'Saint Dymphna', and it's faster, more structured and less experimental than their usual stuff.

The combination of lead singer Lizzie Boutgatsos' indistinguishable wails, the pounding drum beats and tight guitar riffs is electrifying. There's an insistent, tribal energy to this track that makes you want to let your inner gypsy out, kick off your shoes and stomp round a camp fire somewhere far, far away. Great stuff. 4.6/5
EM


Enter Shikari – Juggernauts
Ambush Reality

'Juggernauts' takes off, throwing you through the air with such energy it almost hurts. Then, suddenly you're in orbit and everything's peaceful and so tremendously thoughtful. However, you're there with Enter Shikari, so it's only a matter of time before one of the cheeky buggers presses a button they shouldn't and we're all thrown uncontrollably back towards earth.

This is bound to secure Shikari's popularity amongst the rave-metal lovers of the world. It's just a shame everyone else will hate it. 4.5/5
SL

Placebo – For What It's Worth
Dream Brother

To be honest, probably not quite worth the 99p or whatever it is they're charging you to legally download music these days. But 'For What It's Worth' is an infectious little single that is worth a listen at the very least. It's got edgy sounds, driving beats, a brilliant mid-song sample of some '80s video game tune and clocks in at just under three minutes (before the repetitive lyrics become too apparent).

For what it's worth, Placebo seem to be back. 4.5/5
MF


Wave Machines – I Go I Go I Go
Neapolitan Recordings

Immediately catchy, this song conjures the image of a jaded but resilient 1980s funk party. Tacky has been worn out, and a more knowing sound has prevailed, with muscular organs swaggering through the crowd as glitch sounds pop up all over and vocals bombard with you with catchy hooks.

Prince is definitely in attendance, and no doubt made the odd suggestion about some of the synth sounds. For what it is – a tight, bright, catchy spectacular summer tune – Wave Machines have done themselves proud with this one. 4/5
MD


Kasabian – Fire
Sony BMG

Kasabian come over all hillbilly with their latest single; soul rebels in cowboy boots singing in American drawls about easy lovers and bank robberies. One must remember that they're from Leicester – not Texas. 'Fire' contains the requisite build up and massive drop they do so well, and has a hearty mix of what sounds like a country and western riff spliced with trademark smashes of heavy rocktronica.

Also, in the video, which depicts the scene of an old school bank job, they fire guitars instead of guns. I like it. 4/5
LC
 

The Wildebeests – One Minute's Time
Dirty Water Records

I'm not being ageist or anything, but I've always had the opinion that garage rock is a young person's game, and after listening to this track I'm afraid to say that my mind hasn't been changed.

Whilst I can't fault the poppy hooks or sneering cockney vocals, it really has nothing else going for it, being neither manically fun nor compellingly psychedelic enough to take my mind off the fact that these guys are old enough to know better. To sum-up, it's OK, but not exactly the Velvet Underground. 3/5
DH


Matt and Kim – Lessons Learned 
Nettwerk

The problem with doing a cool video is that it can often completely overshadow the song that it's supposed to help promote. Brooklyn duo Matt and Kim strip off in Times Square to the bemusement of assembled tourists. They escape the clutches of some coppers, before a bit of a surprise ending (although not such a shock to Mean Girls fans).

And the song itself? Soaring synths, slick drumming, and some serious/nonsensical lyrics – it could be The Killers with big Brandon replaced by a hipster lass and her skater boyf. Which is fine. 3/5
TJ


Goldheart Assembly – So Long St Christopher
Heron

When I was a kid we used to go on really long car journeys and I have many memories of being awake at 10:15 (which was waaaay past my bedtime) speeding down the M5 whilst being forced to listen to some sugary ballad about the dangers of burning out on cocaine.

So I had a shiver of nostalgia when I first listened to this folk/rock ditty from the Goldheart Assembly – it's so cod rock it could almost be The Eagles. Starting with that classic rock organ sound, it even launches into a guitar solo in about the right place. Yawnerama. 2.5/5
DH


Nero – Act Like You Know
Breakbeat Kaos

The summer's coming, and with it, a tidal wave of infantile, festival-friendly floor fillers like this, which is basically Chase and Status's 'Eastern Jam' sped up to DnB tempo and given some startlingly annoying Cher-esque vocals.

Pop, trance, hard-house and Coki-esque wobblage collide over a textbook jump-up template - production levels amped up to the glossiest setting - with suitably placed breakdowns all geared up to get 16 year olds across the country gurning like it's the '90s. Except it isn't, and this is just another rubbish, overly-polished throwback. 2/5
MB


Hockey – Learn To Lose
Virgin

I'm completely indifferent to this song. It's OK, I guess, if you like that kind of thing.

I'm therefore having trouble thinking of anything to say about it, so I'm going to take some tips from Hockey, who seem to have had trouble coming up with lyrics for the verse, and just repeat 'I don't know what to do' over and over again. I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do... 2/5
GT


Phew! A right old tussle there at the top of the table. But Gang Gang Dance triumph by the skin of their teeth. Pretty exciting we're sure you'll agree.

If you can hardly contain your delight or think that as usual we've got it all wrong then why not join our Facebook group, or leave a little comment in the box below.


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Music Team