This week's post ...
Arcade Fire
We Used To Wait new single 2 August 2010
Hard to come up with something different all the time but Arcade Fire have managed it yet again... 'We Used To Wait' is kind of minimalist, stripped back sound,
pent up vocal, on the verge of cracking loose throughout it's near five minutes... the almost makes it all the more attractive. A fine return and should see the top ten with ease. Here's the press release... 'The first single from Arcade Fire’s new album The Suburbs, entitled We Used To Wait will be released on August 2 via Sonovox. The band’s third studio album The Suburbs has been produced by Arcade Fire and co-produced by Markus Dravs and is also due for release in the UK on August 2nd. Last month Arcade Fire released a limited edition double A side 12”vinyl, featuring tracks The Suburbs and Month of May.'
and more..
“Arcade Fire have tapped into a mode of songcraft that possesses a certain classic-rock-radio familiarity but is marked by a very modern sense of unease” Pitchfork, June 2010. The first single from Arcade Fire’s new album The Suburbs, entitled We Used To Wait will be released on August 2, 2010via Sonovox. The band’s third studio album The Suburbs has been produced by the Arcade Fire and co-produced by Markus Dravs and is also due for release in the UK on August 2nd. Last month Arcade Fire released a limited edition double A side 12”vinyl, featuring tracks The Suburbs and Month of May. Having recently played a number of surprise shows in Canada, Arcade Fire are set to return to the UK this summer, headlining Reading and Leeds Festival at the end of August. Formed in Montreal, The Arcade Fire are Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Richard Reed Parry, William Butler, Tim Kingsbury, Sarah Neufeld and Jeremy Gara.
The full tracklisting is:
The Suburbs
Ready to Start
Modern Man
Rococo
Empty Room
City With No Children
Half Light I
Half Light II (No Celebration)
Suburban War
Month of May
Wasted Hours
Deep Blue
We Used to Wait
Sprawl I (Flatland)
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
The Suburbs (continued)
Basshunter
Saturday new single 11 July 2010
Eight million saw Mr Hunter on Celeb Big Brothel and his new vid's been shot in Los Angeles with some of LA's best looking females... there's been a conscious decision to mature Bass's sound which has provided us with his probably best single yet, there's still a few interestingly endearing speech intones and overall this seems targetted to the US as much as anywhere... Hit
B.o.B. & Hayley Williams
Airplanes new CD single 9 August
So impressed with BoB Bobby Ray... the hook and melody on 'Nuthin On You' is top drawer pop and now ... another awesome combination with Hayley Paramore.. top five US, UK runner-up on downloads alone last week and plenty of time for top spot as this isn't officially released as a single until 9 August...
Excellent...
and check the album... 'B.o.B. presents The Adventures Of Bobby Ray'......... with unnerving confidence Bobby Ray has arrived and from the first chimes of 'Nothin On You' I thought.. number one. Airplanes continues the romance and this debut album is jampacked with goodies... Lupe Fiasco, T.I., Rivers Cuomo, Eminem... I'm sure there be a clutch of future hits lifted from this exciting set. Top notch R&B veering towards pop.
Ellie Goulding
The Writer - Starsmith Edit new single 9 August 2010
Ellie's making loads of new friends and reaching new admirers, it's striking how similar her vocals are too Cerys Bratatonia er sorry Catatonia... 'The Writer' is a wonderful lilting melody, a dreamy tune set for Summer "Why don't you be the writer and decide the words I'll sing, I'll be there at the end..". I think the new edit will help enormously the chances of a third straight Top 40 single. Hit
Everything Everything
Schoolin' new single 7 June 2010
Like this... an intriquing video graphically.. a jaunty syncopation of offbeat drum, bass, vocal, percussion.. makes for an interesting listen... however I think the tracks too complicated and possibly a bit too frenzied to break through, almost like they're trying too hard to be different. Anyways that's never a bad thing in terms of variety.. A maybe
The Hoosiers
Choices new single 26 July 2010
Hoosiers return with a top Brit indie tunette... 'Choices' has a fine lyric and vocal and these two mixes give some hope they'll break into the overwhelming R&B/Grime domination at the top... while both trax are fine in their own way I think it would be a good idea to rush out a radio edit of the chunky 'Glam As You Club' mix... that track moves!! Hit
I Am Arrows
Green Grass new single 12 July 2010
Andy Burrows has been receiving a fair amount of column inches as I Am Arrows recently and he seems to have a fascination for an innocent type of arrangement "look down, look down everybody loves you...". I have unfortunately fresh in my memory the hour spent listening to Andy''s solo debut album 'The Colour Of My Dreams' in 2008... Woh Boy.. the CD annoted with 'Nothing longer than two minutes, appalling, waste of time..". I saw Andy interviewed on TV about a charity thing Razorlight were doing some years back and I was impressed with his knowledge and wisdom but I think he's barking up the wrong tree, going down the wrong road.. he'll find it tough selling this. Right from the intro that same weird approach, there's a certain naivity almost bordering on childishness which should be endearing. However I think the money men in the radio and record industry have moved the focus on to sex and sexcess and the fast buck so much so that's Andy's undoubted art will find it difficult to break through. Tough verdict but overall I'm undecided til I hear more...
Katy Perry
California Gurls - Arman Van Helden Mix
UK Number One for a couple of weeks and a superb pop record from Miss Perry / Ms Perry / Ms Brand /Mrs Brand... I love the way Van Helden has put this together homing in on Snoop's teasing rap with Katy's 'Ah-ha, yeah..' love Katy's new pix too! Big in more ways than one two or three....
Klaxons
Echoes new single 16 August 2010
I hope this is a hit for The Klaxons, their debut album was a joy and cut some distance between themselves and the competition. I'm not sure 'Echoes' is as strong it's predecessors but I am sure there will be much interest and more quality trax on the way.
Mirrors
Ways To An End new single 23 August 2010
Mirrors do have a certain 80's New Romantic retro feel and if I were Doctor Who and set Tardis control for 1980 I reckon Toyah would be game for a feel... however Miss Pond Emily this is 2010 and there is an R&B hurricane attacking us. Even so 'Ways To An End' has got oodles in it's favour, it is a stand out track with an almost Numanesque vocal and aurra and it's on Fatboy's Skint Records - plenty of good connections with Brighton's media and top video making capacity... I think this track could gain some recognition.. a maybe
One Night Only
Say You Don't Want It
new single 11 July 2010
The One Night Only's return with a bright single which could do some damage.. nice tune and of course who would say they don't want it... here's the press release... One Night Only release Say You Don’t Want It, the first single from their forthcoming second album, through Vertigo Records, on 16th August. The album, titled ‘One Night Only’, follows on 23rd August. The single is an instantly memorable song which talks of living like stars with beautiful girls and fast cars but also the fake and materialistic side of what can also be an empty and lonely world behind pop stardom. One Night Only released their debut album in January 2008, and it quickly went Gold, and spawned the huge hit single Just For Tonight. They amassed legions of rabid fans up and down the country from their constant touring.
Plan B
Prayin' new single 11 July 2010
Plan B's right on the ball... 'She Said' a massive single and 'Prayin' is a worthy follow-up. Somewhat downbeat lyric, a sign of the times eh? Top Ten
Chase & Staus Remix available and... I was knocked out by Chase & Status 'Harry Brown' theme 'End Credits' and it's certainly moved the duo up a league or
two... I was really lookin forward to this track utilising Plan B's song in a similar fashion, I'm a bit disappointed they may have missed an opportunity here... this is a fairly striaght drum and bass track which although features the chorus remains fairly anonymous. Soz C&S - not more positive.
Plan B's 'Defamation of Strickland Banks' has at last earned Ben the recognition he's deserved at least since I first heard his 'Sick 2 Def' and 'No Good' double A-side single in December 2005... five years ago... woooo. Some may find Ben's words a little depressing however B's right on the cutting edge and 'Defamation' is a top listen.
Starsmith
Give Me A Break / Knuckleduster new single 29 August 2010
Starsmith's classical studies have paid dividends in the structuring of this excellent dance track... the vocals are superb meshed into a thumping dance beat, some brilliant arranged middle eight/sixteen type pieces.. and when the piano fades in... building to a climax.. this is the best it could be... Hit potential
Here's the PR - Starsmith has been making quite a name for himself behind the music scenes. His remix work has seen him pour golden synth sounds on acts from the leftfield to the mainstream. Those to have the treatment include Lady Gaga, N.E.R.D, Katy Perry, Bombay Bicycle Club, Little Boots, Marina & The Diamonds, Paloma Faith, Penguin Prison, Frankmusik and Timbaland. On top of this you get his work with Ellie Goulding, whose debut album he produced and co-wrote five of the tracks. More recently he has been called upon by Cheryl Cole and Kylie Minogue to work on their forthcoming long players. Now, after establishing himself as one of the most sought-after producers around, Fin Dow-Smith is set to emerge from behind the mixing desk and step into the spotlight.
Moving from star-maker to star. Inspired by some of the legends of French house - think Alan Braxe and Cassius this 12” AA side single demonstrates another side to Starsmith. ‘Give Me A Break’ is a ready-made dancefloor classic. It’s followed by ‘Knuckleduster’, another killer track that nods to its influences whilst providing a streamlined beat and shards of synths. As an opening salvo it’s as good as it gets. No big vocals, just an innate sense of the dancefloor and a modern twist on classic sounds. This 12” release is set to see the summer out across Europe and beyond. Look out for Starsmith’s DJ appearances this Summer. His debut album is expected early 2011.
Stromae
Alours On Danse new single
Half Rwandan and half Belgium Stromae produced European Billboard no.1 hit ‘Alors On Danse’ on his computer at home with a desktop mic.' Let's go The Guardian for an explanation "‘Its blend of French flow, trance stabs, ravey sax and la-la-la vocals offer no less than four melodies perfect for drunken chanting…so it's going to be massive. And yet, it's about the awfulness of existence."
I used to wonder what all the fuss over the free market was... well hear it is in one record... this will float entirely over the head of most Brits and trust The Guardian to acclaim 'The awefulness of existence"... As for drunken chanting, most of the alco's round here are content to drunken blast out Oasis wisdom and even if they had French skills I can't see this changing their lives. Stromae may be massive in Europe but I'm afraid for him he'll find conquering similar heights in the UK rather a different proposition. Miss
UK Top 40 Sun 27 Jun 10
Don't mention Dizzee's Three Lions 'Shout', don't mention Three Lions and football in the same breath.... Euro 2012 - Wales v England : Cardiff City Stadium - hope they haven't remembered how to play by then.
Katy Perry' scores the transatlantic double with on 'California Gurls' the UK's new number one and retaining top spot Stateside.
Eminem deposes Oasis at the top of the UK's Albums and scores a second song in the Top Ten UK Singles.
5 new entries - 5 up, 27 down, 3 non-movers
This Week ... Last Wk ... Wks In ... Artist ... Title ... Origin
1 new KATY PERRY & SNOOP DOGG California Girls US
2 2 5 K'NAAN Wave The Flag Somali / Canadian
3 1 3 SHOUT FOR ENGLAND Shout UK
4 3 2 EXAMPLE Kickstarts UK
5 5 5 EMINEM Not Afraid US
6 4 2 KYLIE MINOGUE All The Lovers Aus
7 new EMINEM & RIHANNA Love The Way You Lie US
8 10 5 LADY GAGA Alejandro US
9 5 3 TINIE TEMPAH Frisky UK
10 7 4 DAVID GUETTA CHRIS WILLIS Getting Over France / US
11 new SCISSOR SISTERS Fire With Fire US
12 25 4 B.o.B. & HAYLEY WILLIAMS Airplanes US
13 17 2 KELLY ROWLAND DAVID GUETTA Commander US / France
14 9 9 JASON DeRULO Ridin' Solo US
15 11 14 USHER & WILL I AM OMG US
16 8 2 ROBYN Dancing On My Own Sweden
17 12 6 B.o.B. Nothing On You US
18 16 6 SEAN KINGSTON / JUSTIN BIEBER Eenie Meenie US
19 14 6 KE$HA Your Love Is My Drug US
20 15 9 ALICIA KEYS Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart US
21 13 4 PIXIE LOTT Turn It Up UK
22 new DIDDY & DIRTY MONEY Hello Good Morning US
23 18 7 RIHANNA Te Amo US
24 21 9 ALEXANDRA BURKE-PITBULL All Night Long UK / US
25 24 4 MILEY CYRUS Can't Be Tamed US
26 29 13 PLAN B She Said UK
27 39 3 SHAKIRA Wacka Wacka Time For Africa Colombia
28 19 8 AGGRO SANTOS & KIMBERLY WYATT Candy UK / US
29 23 7 EDWARD MAYA & VIKA JIGULINA Stereo Love Rumania
30 20 5 N-DUBZ & BODYROX We Dance On UK
31 new BIG BOI Shutterbug US
32 28 9 TRAIN Hey Soul Sister US
33 36 8 FYFE DANGERFIELD She's Always A Woman UK
34 34 17 TINIE TEMPAH Pass Out UK
35 22 5 DIZZEE RASCAL Dirtee Disco UK
36 26 3 LIGHTNING SEEDS, BADDIEL, SKINNER Three Lions UK
37 27 5 IYAZ Solo US
38 31 2 KELE Tenderoni UK
39 40 5 KERI HILSON I Like US
40 38 21 LADY GAGA & BEYONCE Telephone US
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America's Hot 100
This Week ... Last Week ... Weeks In ... Artist ... Title
1 1 6 KATY PERRY & SNOOP DOGG California Gurls
2 2 12 USHER & WILL I AM OMG
3 3 10 B.o.B. & HAYLEY WILLIAMS of PARAMORE Airplanes
4 4 12 TRAVIS McCOY & BRUNO MARS Billionaire
5 10 7 DRAKE Find Your Love
6 6 19 KE$HA Your Love Is My Drug
7 5 12 LADY GAGA Alejandro
8 14 8 MIKE POSNER Cooler Than Me
9 8 7 EMINEM Not Afraid
10 7 17 TAIO CRUZ Break Your Heart
Cheryl Cole or Not
Posted Tuesday 6th July 2010
Drivers are happiest when driving alone according to a recent survey that found 60% of motorists preferred to drive unaccompanied, with one in ten using car alone time to think. The majority of respondents said they thrived on 'me time' in the car, enjoying listening to music or the radio.
The YouGov poll for Skoda also asked British drivers which celebrity they would most like as their passenger, with results revealing the most popular to be Cheryl Cole, Stephen Fry, George Clooney and Kylie Minogue.
When asked about driving with colleagues, half of those polled agreed that they saw driving time as opportunity to get to know work mates a bit better, with 20% admitting to preferring to use this driving time as a chance to gossip.
Whilst eight per cent believed that journeying with their manager might improve their careers, only one per cent of British motorists said that their boss would be their favourite passenger. Drink Drive Reform
Posted Tuesday 6th July 2010
In the most radical reform of drink-drive laws for more than 40 years, motorists could soon find themselves over the limit after drinking less than a pint.
An official review - published this month - recommends that Britain steps into line with Europe by slashing the legal limit from 80mg per 100ml to just 50mg.
Currently a man of average build is allowed 80mg, the equivalent of between one-and-a-half and two pints of normal strength beer or three small glasses of wine. The new 50mg limit would limit the same man to a pint of beer or a large glass of wine and women to half a pint of beer or a small glass of wine.
It's suggested the move could result in the prevention of up to 65 deaths and 230 serious injuries a year. In addition doctors argue the change could save the economy £120 million a year by reducing medical costs and lost working time.
However critics argue the lower limit would force some country pubs to close and criminalise thousands of drivers
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