this week's post ...

Kid Sister & Kanye West
Pro Nails new single 23 June
Kid Sister's been ripping it up in Chicago and this is one hot track ... aided by Kanye's appearance but it would be hot anyway ... 'pro nails' refers to mmm

Cage The Elephant
Ain't No Rest For The Wicked new single 9 June
It's surely only a matter of time before these Bowling green, Kentucky guys catch on like thir fried chicken neighbours. I've got this on the sampler and I love it, they sound quite brilliant with a maturity similar to the legendary Free who were the same age when they made 'All Right Now'. If I had my way - Number One

Pendulum
In Silico new album 12 May
I recently read a negative review of Pendulum which really annoyed me, these guys are making the hottest new dance music on the planet and my customers love them. A sell out tour to promote a second excellent album, 'In Silcco' is superb from start to finish with some interesting variance in between. These Aussies set out their stall at 172bpm with rock drum and bass, the singles 'Granite' and 'Propane Nightmares' superb examples of their unique sound. There are plenty more gems here, the more medium 125bpm 'Visions' is delicious, then there's the mellow crescendo on '9000 Miles' and for the finale, the 85bpm 'The Tempest'. It's brilliant!

Metros vs Toddla T
Clubhouse Riddim b-side to Last Of The Lookers 2 June
Some mash-up's work well like the Ordinary Boys with woshername a couple of years back, but I'm not so keen on this. The Metros 'Education' single was humourous and a fine debut, the follow-up 'Last Of The Lookers' is nearly as good and the Toddla T 'Cubhouse Riddim' designed to compliment it is a good idea, but I'm not sure the track itself is that good. Sorry

Muscles
Guns Babes Lemonade new album 14 April
I like this album with some reservation on it's lack of variety. The 'Sweaty' and great single 'Ice Cream' are excellent aggresive chunky dance tunes and the album is very much in that vain. There's nothing necessarily wrong with that, but sometimes a little more varied moods and tempo's prevent the listener from changing the record. All the same it's a fine debut

Madonna
Hard Candy new album 28 April
Since her arrival with 'Holiday' in 1984, Madonna has been the femme to beat and well, she is pretty well unbeatable. Always politically savvy as well as being on the sharp end of Sex Goddess, her music doesn't seem to date either. The collaborations with Timbaland and Timberlake make the songs seem contemporary, but hang on they are contemporary. Madge starred at Radio One's Big Weekend and in interview with Jo Wiley she was as down to earth as ever and it shows in this new album, sharply written with great chorography. I don't agree with everything she says but long live Madonna. Unlike many of the all time greats and after twenty five years at the top many her music is seems to be more relevent than ever.

Weezer
Pork & Beans new single 23 June
Weezer's new album 'Weezer' - this'll be the third album they've released called Weezer, the same idea Peter Gabriel had years earlier. Nevertheless this taster single 'Pork & Beans' is pretty well trademark issue and should keep their army of fans happy - check the bril vid!

The Rushes
What You Waiting For new single 28 June
I really like this, very U2 approach, storming tune could do well

The Script
Album Sampler 7 July
A bit slow on the dancefloor front, but then again this is a thoughtful highly listenable collection. The Script thoroughly deserved their debut hit and chart position of No.15 with 'We Cry' which is an excellent production, a superbly moody vocal and a chunky 93bpm. Definately boys to watch

Goldblade
Jukebox Generation new single 2 June
Goldblade provide an authentic trip back in time here, it's 1977 again.. well more 1979 Sham 69 rather than Pistols 77. "Jukebox Generation" is a good old chant and should greatly please their punk audience. Then there's friggin' in the riggin aplenty on the little 'cow' punk tune 'Mutiny', it's a classy production, well written and works well

The Underclass
Tomorrow Is Now new single 16 June
The Underclass are getting nearer a breakthrough and 'Tomorrow Is Now' is another step in the right direction. 'Tales Of A Transit Van' is a quaint little listen too!

Ben McGarvey
My Electric Wire new single 9 June
Ben McGarvey has home recorded a couple of atmospheric singer songwriter gems here. The atmosphere is all encompassing on the spooky 'My Electric Wire' and the jaunty 'Disjointed'. An intriguing listen which may attract some important ears

Schizo Fun Addict
Imperial Quasar new album 9 June
Wow this really is a sound splurge, must be mind blowing to be at their club night! These New Yorkers have their own hemisphere, we particularly like the 14 mins starting at track 4 'Diamond' and track 10 'The Golden Goal'

Nouvelles
Surrounded By Angels new single 9 June
I quite like the atmosphere of the song, very early U2-ish .. however, I think it's about two minutes too long. I don't see any reason why there couldn't be a three minute radio edit which maintains the integrity of the song

Santo Gold
LES Artistes (Switch Remix) new single
The song now eliminated completely, the Switch remix is a vibrant 127bpm errr remix

The Delays
Everything's The Rush new album 5 May
A good strong collection of songs with the opening track setting the tone - it's perfect pop really. I am surprised they have not made faster progress but Rome wasn't cooked in a day. Girl's On Fire sounds like a good bet for future single for me, quite like 'Touch Down' for the refernce to radio "is anyone listening", 'Friends Are False' has a good crunching riff, for some reason 'No Contest' makes me think of Erasure, 'Silence' is probably the best, most enduring song on the album

Andy Burrows
The Colour Of My Dreams new album 26 May
Having seen the Sergeant Pepper tribute show to which Razorlight contributed I have the greatest respect for Andy, however I have to say no matter how worthy the cause .. this album is a complete waste of time ... these home recordings are of poor quality, loads of hiss on every track, no track seems to be a complete song .. to my ears the meanderings of someone who couldn't be bothered to finish them off. Sorry