I'll be on the road next week, so I'm reviewing UK releases for 12/12 and 12/19, in addition to others of interest. Here among these 14 tracks may lie the contender lucky to be Britain's Christmas #1...
Talk – Coldplay (5/5)
The one I've been waiting for. It's my favorite track from my favorite album of the year. Coldplay have produced three excellent albums, and have grown with each one. "Talk" is a lovely ballad with an austere electronic sheen over scratchy electric guitars. The song explodes during its choruses, highlighted by the effective interpolation of Kraftwerk's "Computer Love." iTunes says I've listened to this 20 times, and I still love it. (Released 12/19)
Be Without You – Mary J Blige (4.5/5)
It's musical, seductive, and sustains your interest--what great R&B should be, but has often fallen short of lately. Mary J sounds great and "Be Without You" should deliver her first big hit since "Family Affair" 4 years ago. (12/19)
When You Tell Me That You Love Me – Westlife Featuring Diana Ross (4/5)
Just in time for Christmas, Westlife (with Diana Ross) releases this winning, traditional ballad. If it sounds like it could have been recorded in the ‘90s, that’s because it was. Diana Ross took the track to #2 (UK) in 1991. According to their Web site though, this is a new recording with Ross, and unlike their 2000 “duet” with Mariah Carey, it does sound like they were singing together. Yes it’s a cliché, with its soaring string-laden choruses, but it works. Don’t be a scrooge and just rejoice in the still-talented Ross (she sounds lovely, her voice marked with the character that only age can produce) and the four-part Westlife harmonies. (12/12)
What Else Is There? - Royksopp (4/5)
Here's an unexpected pleasure. A perfect-for-winter downbeat number from Norwegian due Royksopp. This is their third single from second album The Understanding. Electronic sound effects, driving beats, and strange (but effective) vocals add up to a perfect grey day number. Grab a latte and sulk with the best. (12/5)
Goodbye My Lover – James Blunt (4/5)
If Kaiser Chiefs were 2005's Franz Ferdinand (the new artist with edge), then James Blunt was this year's Keane: the new artist without an edge (but more sales), but that you still loved anyway. After the energy of "High," Blunt slows things down, even slower than "You're Beautiful" for this lovely piano-driven ballad. Perfect for lovers separated during the holidays. (12/19)
Advertising Space – Robbie Williams (3.5/5)
After the brilliance of "Tripping," anything would be a let down, but "Advertising Space" should be more than it is. It pushes all the right buttons--but just doesn't reach the heights you feel it should. Great opening--electric guitars and keyboards that resolve into sharp acoustic guitars and Robbie's vocals. It's no "Angels," "Eternity," or "She's the One," which is perhaps why it feels like a let down--he's done this before and better. (12/12)
Don’t Forget About Us – Mariah Carey (3.5/5)
After years of duds, "We Belong Together" returned Mariah Carey to #1 on the US charts (and safely inside the UK top 10). So what's a girl to do with her sudden comeback fame? Quickly record another "We Belong Together," which is basically what we have with "Don't Forget About Us," a tuneless, but decent R&B ballad that should continue Carey's rediscovered hitmaking ability. (12/12)
Flying High – Jem (3.5/5)
Like Dido, Jem broke first in the US before hitting her UK homeland. Unlike Dido, she didn't really succeed in the US, but found a decent-sized (but not Dido-sized) audience. This fourth single from Finally Woken is a gentle acoustic ballad. A good departure from "Wish I," which sounded too much like "Just a Ride." Acoustic guitars and Jem's voice dominate the track, along with some second-verse keyboards to add richness. (Release was planned for 12/12, however it does not appear on this week's schedule, meaning that the release may have been deleted).
When I’m Gone – Eminem (2/5)
Eminem has a daughter named Hailie, who also has a little sister. Eminem was married to Kim, and it didn’t go well. Eminem is famous, but he used to be poor. When he was poor his family life was troubled, but at least he got to see them. We know all this, and know it well, because Eminem has rehashed his family melodrama for us time and again and again. Enough! Isn’t there anything else he has to say? Apparently not, and perhaps the upcoming greatest hits collection (which will again feature a cover photo of Mr. Mathers on a curtain-flanked stage) is the perfect opportunity for him to exit stage right. (12/19)
Amarantine - Enya (3/5)
Close your eyes and imagine what you already know about Enya. Recall that cool multilayering thing she does with her voice, which is quite nice by the way. Then recall that she plays all the instruments you're hearing too, so lots and lots of time in the studio went into this. Then recall that ever since you bought her 1989 album Watermark, that nothing much has changed. It will work just as effectively as a makeout soundtrack today as it did in high school, college, those early years in the city, grad school. Yes, this sounds good, but just the same as everything else she has done. Put it on low and throw a good dinner party (or hookup party). (12/5)
The Ballad of Paul K – McFly (3/5)
I've never been a big McFly fan, but somebody is buying these records, since they're doing quite well. Here the lyrics seem too silly for the melody, which is a more mature sound for the group than on previous efforts. Not bad, but I'm still not running out to buy the album. (12/12)
A Pain That I Am Used to – Depeche Mode (1/5)
A pain I am not used to is Depeche Mode sounding this bad. "Precious" was such a great return to form, that it's sad they have to follow it up with this mess. Very disappointing. (12/12)
O Holy Night - Il Divo (3/5)
This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. It's technically pretty difficult to sing, and so many singers overdo it with so many vocal acrobatics that it loses its grace. While the thougth of Il Divo (sic) usually sickens me, I actually think this a great rendition of this song. It's traditional, sung with conviction, but not overdone, and has a nice orchestral backing. Well done.(12/5)
Fairytale in New York – Pogues & Kirsty MacColl (1/5)
This sounds dreadful. I think the singer may be constipated. I think it's a rerelease. Perhaps if I had been around the here it when it first came out, I might have some sentimental connection to it. (12/19)
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