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British Sea Power ‘Remember Me’ single (rough trade). First mistake is it being a 3 ½ minute pop song with an intro over a minute long (unfortunately the best part of it). Epic aspirations but ultimately unfulfilling. Very ‘70s. Should do a gig with Mull Historical Society and Preston School Of Industry, just cos the posters would look cool. Radioactivators ‘Knock On Your Door/Bopp’ single (peanut, butter & jam records). Vince Clarke’s new project. We love Vince Clarke. Sadly for him, the world is still not ready for a ‘50s rock’n’roll revival (well, it didn’t work for Jimmy Ray), let alone rock’n’roll done on synths. Likeably bad. I can’t see who’d bother to buy this. Healers ‘The Last Ride’ single (new voodoo ltd). Groovy old-fashioned indie thing for people who miss Ride and their ilk. Fairly unremarkable for Mr Marr but nae bad. Their logo makes it look like they’re called ‘Beaters’. Gorillaz ‘Rock The House’ single (parlophone). I haven’t seen the video but I bet it’s good. Curtis Lynch Jr feat JP ‘The Chase’ single (one little Indian). Already well-known young producer, this is his first single as a solo performer. “West side… Shepherd’s Bush for life!” R&B with a British sound. Aiiit! Word. Etc. Morning Star ‘My Place In The Dust’ LP (microbe). Beautifully-crafted hangover music. Hark! I hear an ‘Uncut’ cover CD calling. Danko Jones ‘I’m Alive And On Fire’ LP (bad taste). Kick ass rock from Canada. Oh my! Toured the UK for the first time supporting Backyard Babies. A match made in heaven. Dirty and fun, much better than that poohead Andrew WK. “My momma raised a DEVIL CHILD!” Rarrr. Fuzz Light Years ‘Me And You’ (instant karma). Best thing so far from the Fuzzy ones, with nice bleeping keyboards and uplifting chorus. Annoying girly vocals will piss off some people but I think this is JUICY. Deserves to be big, but won’t be. Andrew Bird ‘Bowl Of Fire’ LP (rykodisc). If I had more time, I’d like to give this a full review. But I don’t. So I can’t. From the word “go” (or at least the first few seconds of the first track). Lo-fi punchy indie with irresistible twists and country-tinged folky bits. Genius. The Dawn Parade ‘Good Luck Olivia’ (nyc). Heartfelt, prettyboy glam ruined a bit by poor production and twee vocals (can’t help thinking the music needs something gutsier). For fans of the Manics and My Life Story. One of the band members is called Molefucker.
And, for now, is that.
