Singles Reviews

I haven't done these for awhile, so there's quite a few. Snow Patrol is definitely pick of the week.

You're All I Have - Snow Patrol (5/5)
Who Am I - Will Young (4.5/5)
Most Precious Love (Freemasons Remix) - Blaze Featuring Barbara Tucker (4/5)
Faster Kill Pussycat - Oakenfold Featuring Brittany Murphy (4/5)
Yo! (Excuse Me Miss) - Chris Brown (4/5)
Ain't Got No - I Got Life - Nina Simone vs. Groovefinder (3.5/5)
Steady As She Goes - Raconteurs (4.5/5)
Somebody's Watching Me - Beatfreakz (4/5)
Fly Me Away - Goldrapp (3/5)
Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers (4.5)

Click below for the reviews.



You're All I Have - Snow Patrol (5/5)

Snow Patrol still feel like a new band, since they didn't break through big until they released their 3rd album, Final Straw, 2 years ago. Hot on its heels, and the success of if its two brilliant top 10 singles--"Run" and "Chocolate" comes the first single from their new album Eyes Open. "You're All I Have" is energetic, tight, instantly memorable--in short, brilliant. I just got the album, and it's really quite good. This is a good band at its peak.

Who Am I - Will Young (4.5/5)

Will Young follows up the fabulous "All Time Love" with another winner from his 3rd album, Keep On. "Who Am I" is another ballad, and although more traditionally pop than "All Time Love," it's still pretty decent sensitive, piano-driven stuff. Will's made a pretty wacky video for it too, complete with some Star Wars cameos.

Most Precious Love (Freemasons Remix) - Blaze Featuring Barbara Tucker (4/5)

Here's yet another decent house track trying for success in the current house unfriendly chart environment. It sort of sounds like another current dance track, Joey Negro's "Make on a Move On Me," but who cares. The Freemasons Remix puts a fresh spin on this year-old track.

Faster Kill Pussycat - Oakenfold Featuring Brittany Murphy (4/5)

It's been 4 years since "Starry Eyed Surprise" made DJ/remixer Paul Oakenfold into an artist in his own right. Back now with Brittany Murphy (not sure if it's the actress, let's hope not), he's got a slick, sexy electro/dance number. Not as good as "Starry Eyed," but not bad.

Yo! (Excuse Me Miss) - Chris Brown (4/5)

I didn't care for "Run It!," but I actually like "Yo!" It's got a cool retro R&B groove, it's kind of sexy, and Chris Brown sounds pretty good. It didn't do that great chartwise--failed to make the top 10 if both the US and UK, despite "Run It!" being a big hit in both countries.

Ain't Got No - I Got Life - Nina Simone vs. Groovefinder (3.5/5)

This is worth listening to for its kitsch value. French singer Nina Simone was a jazz, soul, and pop singer notorious for being feisty both on and off the stage. DJ Groovefinder has upgraded one of her classic tracks, an inventory of her body parts that includes her "boobies" as a celebration of what she has--despite the odds. Historical and fun.

Steady As She Goes - Raconteurs (4.5/5)

Jack White's new band, sans Meg White, drops the soulful minimalism of White Stripes in favor of more traditional indie rock territory. There's an obligatory rock swagger present, and some decent guitar work. The album should be interesting too.

Somebody's Watching Me - Beatfreakz (4/5)

The looped-vocal '80s thing is getting old, but yet, I find it oddly appealing, especially when it samples Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me," an '80s track recording by Barry Gordy's son featuring vocals from Michael and Jermaine Jackson. The video is a great animated sendup of "Thriller."

Fly Me Away - Goldrapp (3/5)

I love Goldfrapp's latest album, but this is a really uninsipired choice for a single. It's one of my least favorite tracks on the album, a mellow mid-tempo pop number, that really isn't that memorable. It's also destined to become fodder for an airline or travel web site advertisement. Alison Goldfrapp is probably accepting offers as I write this. Why didn't they choose "Satin Chic" with its edge electronic player-piano backing? Oh well.

Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers (4.5)

The 'Peppers are hotter than ever lately, and "Dani California," first track from forthcoming Stadium Arcadium is classic RHCP stuff. Heaven forbid they ever sang about one of the other 49 states, but they do the modern CA rock thing better than anyone. They've certainly been through a lot too, so it's great that they've managed to be relevant again.