New Releases – All Ladies Special

New Releases – All Ladies Special

11 November, 2009
by: Music Team

*Single of the Week*
Ellie Goulding – Under the Sheets
Polydor
 
Most pop is vapid, overly-produced crap without a shred of character, so I get disproportionately excited when I stumble upon something as infectious as this that also betrays depth.
 
It's the Welsh-raised Londoner's quirky voice that really carries the song, but it's also nice to see the video reveal a regular-looking girl sporting a hoodie. Already compared to Lykke Li and that other Elly, she's more accessible than the former and less contrived than the latter. Here's hoping she keeps delivering. 4.5/5
NH


Florence & The Machine – You've Got The Love
Universal Island

It takes a big man to admit when he is wrong. Alas, I'm quite petty and self-righteous by nature, but I still wish to retract my previous drubbing of F+tM. I have seen the light – sorry Flossie, I was wrong.
 
However, I believe in an unwritten rule that a) you should not include covers on your debut album and b) you don't release them as singles, unless they're really good. This is, but should've remained a live favourite, rather than a late cash-in. 4/5 (for Florence) 0/5 (for the label)
MF


Sad Day For Puppets – When You Tell Me That You Love Me
HaHa FONOGRAM
 
Soft vocals from Anna Eklund give this track a pleasant, entirely harmless appeal. Her Swedish accent is cutesy over the mumbled indie background fuzz.

Starting with a '90s style guitar introduction, the track would lend itself perfectly to a soap-opera or film à la Ten Things I Hate About You. You know, the part where the girl finds out that the guy really does love her, books clutched up against her teenage locker, eyes closed. Oh I'm getting butterflies. How lovely. 3/5
DR


Rihanna – Russian Roulette
Def Jam

I love Rihanna. She's better, edgier, and – let's face it – sexier than the chasing pack of RnB emotional gals. This song has a head-invading element and a seductive love/death motif – but it's disappointing.

The track starts so well with a drawn out guitar note and a rumbling beat. Then it quickly descends into bland moaning that reminds me of Leona Lewis – not good. It's like they got really excited about the intro but then ran out of steam. 3/5
JH


Catriona Irving – Sitting on the Shelf
Neednowater

I can't quite figure this one out… Is she another Kate Nash "I'm posh but I'm not" character, dropping her ts all over the shop, or is this the real common deal? I'm not one to find bad pronunciation endearing (being amongst those who struggle not to put a 'k' on the end of everyfink), yet I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.
 
I'll let my guard down this once Catriona, but if I catch you hanging out in The Ivy saying "this 1961 Petrus is simply ghastly!" you better watch your back... 3/5
GM  


X Factor Finalists – You Are Not Alone
All proceeds to Great Ormond Street Hospital

OK, I downloaded this from iTunes, we can't provide a link to a sample because it's for charity – you have to pay up.

Great Ormond Street Hospital is a fantastic institution that deserves your support. Michael Jackson's original was a classic, even if it is in a genre of soppy bollocks that completely sucks ass. The cover version features some very good singers. Buy it. Or donate here. 2/5
JH


Gathania – Blame It On You
Hard2Beat Records

Thanks to Pop Idol, man-boobed Cowell and co for this slice of eurodance pie which smells so bad it must be way past its sell by date. And I tend to give any old crap the time of day – especially after one too many jaegerbombs.
 
Despite the pre-installed warnings that come with this kind of territory there's still surprisingly little to enjoy in this effort by Gathania, the 2007 finalist of Sweden's own Pop Idol. Lazy and instantly forgettable – hopefully for me anyway.  1.5/5
AW
 

Little Boots – Earthquake
Atlantic
 
Watery electro-pop that stinks of Emma Bunton and others from the haggard, orange, Spicey pile-up. (That makes them sound like a curry). I thought Little Boots was edgy?
 
Oh no, my mistake. This song is the equivalent of killing yourself with penny sweets. Choking on a jelly baby, hands tethered with astro-belts and you're desperately trying to reach the stereo to turn it off....ahhhhh... too sweet....gurgle gurgle...nooooo! 1/5
LC


Agnes – I Need You Now
AATW

Reality TV shows get a bad rep these days. Not that I actually ever watch it, but it seems to be a bit unfair. I mean what's so bad about all those Leona-wannabes desperately scrabbling after fame and fortune? If writing almost exclusively about myself counted as a skill, I'd have been the first to enter Britain's Got Talent.
 
But then this Agnes person comes along, the winner of Swedish Idol. It's not like this song is even painful; it's just so pointless. 1/5
TJ


Alesha Dixon – To Love Again
Asylum Records

Clearly hoping to repeat the successful slush assault of 'Breathe Slow', Alesha Dixon has released another ballad. She's even got good old dependable Gary Barlow to help her write it. But Gary must be saving the magic beans for Take That because this is horse manure. With glitter on top.

Dixon isn't much of a singer - her real strengths lie in dancing and looking pretty. N.E.R.D. had the right idea: just make your own song and get her to dance in it. You missed a trick there Gary. 0/5
EM


Ah, good old Marcus. Managing to perform a snaky volte-face on his previous insistence that Florence Welch was "nothing but a public school Kate Bush wannabe" – but still giving Universal Records a stern dressing down for breaking the laws of good taste. Look out for a groveling public apology from the record label in the next few hours.

Anyway – we hope you enjoyed our all Ladies Special. Next week – Celebrity Offspring. Comment below if you want to, and please join the Facebook Group.

Music Team