New Releases - 20 Oct

New Releases - 20 Oct

15 October, 2008
by: Music Team

*Single of the Week*
Freefall Collective – Overdrive
Resin Records

As the first trembles of bass quiver their way into existence, and Manic starts his trademark rhyme, you know what's coming. You know Overdrive is going to deliver.

Half (most?) of the fun of upfront breaks and DnB is the buildup of excitement before the massive delivery is slammed into your chest, lifting your feet from the floor. Freefall are masters of this. And when Overdrive breaks, it's glorious. Epic, thundering bass, classic break and a nice, half-formed female vocal echoed in the skittery synth line, Manic declaring in his bassy tones that 'This is Serious' – and he's right, it bloody well is. LC


Jack White & Alicia Keys – Another Way To Die
Third Man Records

Garbage nailed it; even Madge's effort didn't scrimp on violins, but where are all the big brass and strings so synonymous with Bond here?  Ok, there are a few piano tinkles and trumpet toots but the emphasis on bass, drums and shouty vocals is classic White Stripes.

I'm a big fan of moving forward; blonde-haired 007 – so what? But you have to keep some original elements or it becomes unrecognizable and there's nothing here that feels like Bond. EM


Fall Out Boy – I Don't Care
Decaydance

Another obsessively self-referential song from FOB. The riff is straight from Goldfrapp's 'Ooh La La' – itself already pretty derivative – and Patrick Stump's vocals have by now long abandoned the emo bit of emo-pop. Which is no bad thing.

It's not their best track, but with lyrics that alternate between total nonsense and something that might actually be quite clever, plus the usual celeb-strewn video, it's bound to be a hit. Pete may not care, but the kiddies – yeah they still seem to. TJ


The Research – I Think She's One I Love
This Is Fake DIY

It might be the fact that the lead singer's voice is so sugary but this song is so twee, that on a tweeness scale it ranks up there with kissing your granny on the cheek or having a party that includes jelly and ice cream.

It's  not all dollies and side partings though – this song manages to slip in some amazing Guided By Voices-meets-ELO direction dreampop-style backing vocals that that are actually quite nice. Phew, I thought I was going to have to pan it. That would be like shooting a puppy in the face. DH


Bloc Party – Talons
Wichita

Erstwhile New Cross kids Bloc Party return with the second single from their third album, 'Intimacy'. Continuing to rely on effect-laden simple chord progressions and energetic drumming, the song is a hark back to their triumphant debut 'Silent Alarm'.

Kele presents a clear and powerful statement with his unaltered vocals and commanding lyrics that only help to enhance the melodic journey. It may lack the impact of their breakthrough singles, but it won't do them any harm either. SO'D


Keane – The Lovers Are Losing
Island

I think that this song might be about lead singer Tom Chaplin's recent well-publicised stint in rehab. Why? Because it's as boring as hell. Or purgatory.

Production values are high, with arpeggio synths to make Erasure proud and 'Joshua Tree' guitar reverb, and Chaplin still has an amazing voice. But with trite lyrics, a daft chorus and a forgettable, humdrum melody, how did anyone listen to this back in the studio without going 'hold on, this is completely bland shit'? JH


Tricky – Slow
Domino

It has been suggested that it's time to pay serious attention to Tricky again, that after years of grumpily unfinished business he's regained punch. He probably has in fact returned from a certain confusion to the unnerving stoned coherence of early work. His power to alchemise, channelling songs through himself and collaborators in delicately ambiguous ways, is definitely there.

'Slow', though, is an unappealing echo of garage rock in his omnivorous style. Tricky's not such a deliberate obfuscator now, but he's not making it easy to listen in. You might find it's worth it; you might not. RH


The Pigeon Detectives – Say It Like You Mean It
Drive-Thru

Will The Pigeon Detectives just give it up? Combining The Libertines with The Kooks isn't musically progressive, it's a sham marketing exercise that basically makes them the indie version of The Pussycat Dolls.

This is typically jaunty bop-along indie drivel that will no doubt impress people who own trilby hats and wellies and enjoy nothing better than having a Magner's and laughing like people at Royal Ascot. The Pigeon Detectives won't care though, they'll be drinking Red Stripe somewhere and laughing at all the stupid twats that bought this fucking travesty of a single. DH


The Last Shadow Puppets – My Mistakes Were made For You
Domino

Elsewhere on this page, you'll find some critical words on the latest James Bond theme. Safe to say that White and Keys don't exactly gel, and the 007 franchise could do a lot worse than call up Alex Turner next time they decide to squeeze Daniel Craig into a size-too-small Savile Row suit.

This tune has all the Scott Walker-esque melodramatics that TLSP are quickly making their own (if you've never listened to 'Scott 4' that is. And you haven't, have you?), and further confirms Turner's steady rise towards national institution status. MF


Girls Aloud – The Promise
Fascination

What to do when everybody is beginning to realise that you might in fact be a bit of a skank? Why, get yourself a sparkly dress, some big hair, and a dollop of old-school glamour of course. It worked for Christina, so can it work for our Girls?

In short, I'm afraid, no. I love Girls Aloud as much as the next person (if not more so) but this song is just a bit boring and the video's crap too. Even a Ronson-esque brass section can't rescue this one. TJ


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Music Team