Singles Reviews

It's a fabulous week for new releases around here. Sewn and No Tomorrow came out Monday in Britain, and Red Dress and Incredible are out next week. I have a feeling that The Feeling and Orson are going to be hot bands this year. Click below to read reviews of these singles:

Red Dress - Sugababes (5/5)
Sewn - The Feeling (5/5)
No Tomorrow - Orson (4.5/5)
Incredible - Shapeshifters (4.5/5)
Unbelievable - Craig David (3/5)
Jimmy Gets High - Daniel Powter

Red Dress - Sugababes (5/5)

The Sugababes have demonstrated a consistency to deliver catch, fun, innovative pop singles unlike no other girl group around. Girls Aloud, who've suffered a bit of chart blight lately, would kill for a single like this. "Red Dress" is bold and brassy, underscored with horns and plenty of percussion. How could you not smile when listening to this? It's energetic, sexy--everything a great pop single should be. The single version of "Red Dress" also highlights the debut of the band's new member, Amelle Berrabah, who replaced departing member Mutya Buena just after the release of "Ugly." I always liked Mutya, but frankly she's not missed. Amelle has a deeper, richer voice than her, and rounds out the others voices nicely. Slam dunk for the Sugababes.
(Out March 6)

Sewn - The Feeling (5/5)

At first, this sounds like an Embrace clone, but then it opens up and becomes so much more. What a great song. Guitar and piano driven, which of course is a cliche these days, but we're starting to see bands that screw it up (Starsailor's "This Time," for example, was underwhelming). There's some great lengthy sections of repetitive guitar and piano chords that build and segue between verses and choruses. I really love it, and can't wait to hear more from this band. Check out The Feeling's Web site; their lead singer is hot. (2/27)

No Tomorrow - Orson (4.5/5)

Another exciting new band. Orson's album isn't out until May, but "No Tomorrow" is a great lead single--short and sweet, sort of Killers-ish. From their Web site, you can sample other tracks from their forthcoming album, Bright Idea, and I think you will agree that they have potential. "No Tomorrow" doesn't rock as hard as Arctic Monkeys, but it has a enjoyable almost retro feel. (2/27)

Incredible - Shapeshifters (4.5/5)

So at first I was upset that there weren't any dance singles charting well, and then I was upset that the dance singles coming out sucked. That all changes with Shapeshifters, back after a year's absence with another great dance track. It seems they will never top "Lola's Theme," one of the best House tracks released this decade, but "Incredible" is a great track, and improves after repeat listens. It really says "night out in London" to me. (3/6)

Unbelievable - Craig David (3/5)

It seems Craig David never gives up--he managed to squeeze 6 singles off his second album, even though none were #1s. He's still not as hot as he was in 2001 with his debut, but at least his third album shows some growth. This a decent, but not very original, love ballad. Lots of acoustic guitar and some strings too, of course. (3/6)

Jimmy Gets High - Daniel Powter (2.5/5)

"Bad Day" was a great single, but badly overexposed, and Powter still hasn't recovered from it. Because of an ineligibility snafu, his last single, "Free Loop," didn't chart, and "Jimmy Gets High" is an even lesser release than his first 2 singles. It's okay, rolls along with jolly pianos and overproduction, but really doesn't do much for me. Sorry Daniel. Still love that cute "Bad Day" video though. (3/6)