Singles Reviews

Massive singles reviews. Last week's reviews were what was lost when Blogger was down. So here's a really long list of reviews for you....

S.O.S. (Rescue Me) - Rihanna (4.5/5)
The Hardest Part - Coldplay (4/5)
Kids With Guns / El Manana - Gorillaz (4/5)
Better Do Better - Hard-Fi (3.5/5)
No Promises - Shayne Ward (3/5)
Lie to Me - Daniel Powter (4/5)
The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song - Flaming Lips (2.5/5)
From Paris to Berlin - Infernal (3/5)
Music is Power - Richard Ashcroft (2.5/5)

Click below to read my reviews.


S.O.S. (Rescue Me) - Rihanna (4.5/5)

Rihanna emerged last summer with "Pon Da Replay," a Caribbean-influenced slice of dance-pop. Eight months later, she's already releasing her second album, announced by lead single "S.O.S (Rescue Me)," a delightful slice of dance-pop that trades in dancehall for dance floor. This relentless electro track liberally and effectively samples Soft Cell's '80s classic "Tainted Love."

The Hardest Part - Coldplay (4/5)

Fourth X&Y single isn't as immediate as its predecessors, and although seemingly a strange choice for a single (it's hidden in the album's less showy second half), it works surprisingly well on its own. It's a mid-tempo MOR track--pretty much what you'd expect from Coldplay, so unlike "Talk," and there's no surprises here, which isn't a bad thing, since it's a decent song. The video is also quite something--a take on a '90s Lifetime television talk show.

Kids With Guns / El Manana - Gorillaz (4/5)

It's no "Feel Good Inc," or even "Dare," but "Kids With Guns" is still pretty impressive, even if it takes a few listens to appreciate it. It's pretty minimalist, pretty much just a prodding heavy bass beat with some space pop sound effects, synths, and kettle drums thrown in. But it works. "El Manana" is less interesting--basically a darker, simpler version of "Feel Good Inc."--but still not bad.

Better Do Better - Hard-Fi (3.5/5)

This is probably the mellowest track from Stars of CCTV, which isn't saying much, since even with a slower tempo, it manages to get pretty loud during the chorus. Good stuff, but not as good as "Hard to Beat" or "Cash Machine."

No Promises - Shayne Ward (3/5)

Shayne's first single, "That's My Goal" was propelled to #1 because he won The X-Factor. A few months out now, with his album due soon, it's time for Shayne to really prove himself. "No Promises" is actually surprisingly good--if you keep your expectations low. It hits all the right notes, but these are notes that everyone from Westlife to Gareth Gates have already hit before. Perhaps we'll have to wait for a second album--if he gets that far--to see what direction Shayne wants to take with his music. The video also isn't that interesting, as I guessed right away what was going on (think "The Sixth Sense").

Lie to Me - Daniel Powter (4/5)

I think I like this about as much as "Bad Day"--certainly more than his other 2 releases, "Free Loop" and "Jimmy Gets High." It's a guilty pleasure of a pop song, polished, over-produced, with an almost Motown feel to it. What the hell, just enjoy it.

The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song - Flaming Lips (2.5/5)

This on the other hand is supposed to be really good, but I'm not really into it. Critics are raving about their new album. But I don't know. The "yeah yeah yeah" but is grating. Otherwise it's okay--the guitars and drums are great. But the "yeah yeah yeah" is REALLY annoying and not clever or fun like they probably think it is.

From Paris to Berlin - Infernal (3/5)

House music is on life support this year--chart success has been very limited--yet artists keep trying. This heavy bass track is okay. Nothing special, but it's not bad. There's some good deep synth keyboards. I bet it sounds great in a club.

Music is Power - Richard Ashcroft (2.5/5)

This starts out promising, sort of Joss Stone-like, but then gets WAY too repetitive. "Music" may be power, but the music is missing here, since it's just the same thing over and over, even if the production is well done. Listening to it, you keep hoping that something will come in a break it up--but that clever bridge isn't present.