New Releases - 28 July

New Releases - 28 July

01 August, 2008
by: Music Team

*Single of the Week*
Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip – Letter From God To Man
Sunday Best

Absolutely inspired this – It features the voice of God, leveling with man in Pip's trademark cockney rhyme. The address begins in a touchingly stuttering way: 'Hey there, how's it going? Long time no... see', and goes on, astutely and matter-of-factly parading man's successes and failures.

The fervent, looped 'Planet Telex' riff builds as Pip's rhyme gets faster and more furious, until the blow dealt by the final line leads to the resolution of Thom Yorke's spine-tingling vocal; 'Everything is... broken.' Completely brilliant. LC


The Pigeon Detectives – Everybody Wants Me
Dancetotheradio

What is it with The Pigeon Detectives? They've been peddling the same 'exuberant youth mixed with the trials of growing up' dross for years, they have a terrible name and every tune seems to be recycled from the Kaiser Chiefs' B-sides.

The second single from 'Emergency' is no different, and is basically about gaggles of groupies lusting after singer Matt Bowman, while he fails to steal the heart of the girl he truly loves. Aww, bless. Fuck off and take your poodle perm with you. MF


Micachu – Golden Phone
Accidental

This one is quite interesting: it's as if Michachu have tried to write the perfect soundtrack to a T-Mobile advert. They've even called it 'Golden Phone', just to make sure advertising execs take note.

The saddening thing is that this would actually be quite a good left-field pop song if it didn't have those gratingly twee vocals. They make me so mad, but at least I know what to expect the next time I'm on hold for 20 minutes trying to get an upgrade. DH


You Me At Six – Gossip
Slam Dunk

My friend has been saying for ages that You Me At Six are really good. I had begun to suspect that he might be a total idiot, and having listened to their latest single, I now know for sure that he is.

'Gossip' follows the standard Fall Out Boy blueprint of simple loud riffs and nasal warblings about erectile dysfunction or something. It's like Pink's 'Leave Me Alone' sung by the short one from Busted. But somehow even shitter. TJ


Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Midnight Man
Mute

From the brilliant album 'Dig!!! Lazarus, Dig!!!' this is an astute choice of single, with a simple, singable chorus but layer upon layer of driving organs, calypso high notes and slide guitars. The song is immediately infectious and with so many excellent Seeds musicians on point, resembles a better organised, less obviously anthemic Arcade Fire number, but with more pace and Cave's trademark gruff vocals.

Unusually upbeat and lyrically simple, 'Midnight Man' is an accessible showcase for this experienced, complex genius. JH


Sam Sparro – 21st Century Life
Island

A far cry from chart sensation 'Black and Gold', Sparro's latest single is highly anticipated but doesn't quite cut the mustard. Opening like 'Sunny' by Boogie Pimps, the tune tumbles forward with a slap-bass beat and storyline lyrics about life as we know it.

Sam must have forgotten that the 21st century was the buzzword of, say, eight years ago. Ridiculously described as soulful, the Aussie twang in the over-processed vocals is sure to strike a nerve. It'll hit the charts but be a distant memory within weeks. SS


The Script – The Man Who Can't Be Moved
RCA

I hate romance. Every time I do something romantic it always ends in humiliation. At school once, I thought it would be a good idea to buy flowers for a girl and ask her for a date. She laughed in my face.

Therefore any song that talks about stupid and completely unfeasible romantic gestures – like sitting outside a love interest's house for weeks on end – makes me want to vomit like a person who just ate a five-week-old McDonald's breakfast. This song is really, really shit. DH


Violet Violet – Bring! Bring! The Morn and Bike Till Dawn EP
NR One Records

Violet Violet are what happens when three girls grow up in the provinces on a diet of The Slits, Siouxsie and Shampoo. Sure, the stench of 'novelty' is never far away, but their third EP is a perfect snapshot of their knack for catchy and mindless punk.

'One Little Problem' is definite single material, but our favourite is 'Twin on Twin', a song that starts out like a cover of 'Teenage Kicks' before descending into a scream-off between the main pair. It's not big or clever, but that's what makes it great. MF


Pendulum – The Other Side
Warner

This latest effort from Pendulum must surely seal their doom with faithful drum 'n' bass fans. Whilst previous release 'Propane Nightmares' tried to morph d&b with rock this is just incredibly bad pop, with the synthesized vocals sharing a worrying similarity with Cher's 'Believe'.

The energy that was so prevalent and made drum 'n' bass more accessible for the masses in 'Tarantula' and 'Slam' is completely lost here in something that is too dull even to be irritating. EM


The Saturdays – If This Is Love
Polydor

Entirely based on Yazoo's 'Situation', the first fifty seconds of The Saturdays' career are promising, crisping up the original to give 'If This Is Love' a dry, electronic fizz. But when the song pulls an unnecessary chorus manoeuvre, it feels like five girls in the back of a Mini that doesn't have the power to get through.

Kylie knows how to bring the permanently deferred climax to pop (see 'Slow'); this is just a wasted opportunity to take a leaf out of her book. RH

Music Team