this week's post ...

Madonna
Give It To Me new single 21 July
At one time there was only Cliff Richard defying the laws of age, well now Madonna's out-Cliffing him. How does she do it? 25 years at the top, a mind-blowing success story, a career full of edgy and challenging controversy. Superb music and here's another gem. 'Give It To Me' - typical upfront girl power ... to desexualise it - very self confident person power and the chorographed routine for this is simply awesome. Madonna will turn fifty on August 16th and she'll play Cardiff Millenium Stadium. Is she really fifty, she somehow looks younger than Michael Jackson

Fratellis
Here We Stand new album 9 June
Jeez how good does a second album have to be... I mean this is good, and if it were Fratellis first album I'm sure it would raise some eyebrows ... however it follows the soccer hijacked chanting anthem 'Chelsea Dagger', 'Henrietta' and 'Creeping Up The Backstairs'. 'Mistress Mabel' has fought it's way to 22 and looks like that's it. It's one of the twelve new tracks and I'm glad I don't have the task of picking the critical next single .. I like 'Jesus Stole My Baby' and 'Babydoll', 'Tell Me A Lie' has an unusual arrangement and 'Acid Jazz Singer' is a worthy heart to heart, then there's another knees up intro on 'Lupe Brown' and the deceptive low key accoustic keyboard intro for finale 'Milk & Honey'. Island Records usual high production values in evidence throughout, but no second 'Chelsea Dagger' hmmm

Bob Sinclair & Fireball
What I Want new single 4 August
The brilliant Bob returns with another dance floor filler, absolutely no doubt following his Madonna Four Minutes remix he's at the peak of his prowess also. 'What I Want' is pop dance supreme

Ladyhawke
Paris Is Burning Remixes new single 30 June
It's our record of the week and these are very handy remixes by Cut Copy and Chicken Lips, the Paris S'enflamme sounds massive straight away.. why is French so sexy. Paris Is Burning is such a strong song it lends itself well to the variety of mixes on offer here . Lovely - hopefully the Summer hit of 08 - 10/10

Marvin
That One Time new single 21 July
Yep I like our Marv ... there's some material on his myspace which is charming and as accessible as DJ Jazzy Jeff's & Will Smith's Summertime. This CD features rather more jerky uptempo trax, 'That One Time' is a good single, 'Boyspot', 'Fight Or Flee' and 'Formerly' underline some unique potential. Good

Dirty Pretty Things
Tired Of England new single 23 June
Yes another excellent single from Carl Barratt's side of the Libs stable ... champions of the underclass

Johnny Foreigner
Waited Up Til It Was Light new album
Quite an aquired taste, in some ways perfect touring partners for Los Campesinos although I did read a rather negative review for Johnny Foreigner's peasant chums in our local listings magazine Buzz just last week. Similarly with Ting Tings, a reviewer posed the question where too next, when the shouting shock value has lost it's novelty are the melodies strong enough to carry the band through ... the jury's out

Gavin Rossdale
Wanderlust new album 13 June
The single 'Love Remains The Same'has a thoughtful haunting quality, a worthy return. Mr Rossdale and his band Bush didn't hang around in the UK waiting for fame moving to LA and striking big long before Swallowed hit the UK in 97. So I suupose it's no surprise Mr R married Miss Stefani and lived happily ever after, itching to make a new album only occcasionally. 'Wanderlust' is perfect American radio aor fodder. Frontline's battlecry "If you're not with us, you are against us" probably sounds great on the dreamy golden sands of Californian beaches like Santa Monica and Venice but in downtown Stoke Newington it takes on a whole new meaning and unfortunately sounds like a rather limp posette. Nevertheless it's ok, and even better in some moments

Def Leppard
C'mon C'mon new single 14 July
Welcome back from your hiatus Joe & The Def's with a single that could have been released at any time during the last thirty years... it's timeless, but in no way electro. I would guess probably not a hit but well up to the Def Leppard quality standard

Ting Tings
Shut Up & Let Me Go new single 28 July
A funky 107bpm indie shrieker as featured on their number one album, it's already Top 40'd on downloads and physical single release at the end of July should guarantee plenty of hit airtime for The Ting Tings in August