Monday, October 30, 2006

New Music: 10/30/2006

A ho-hum week of new releases. Some interesting singles, but nothing compared to what's coming over the next few weeks. Critical darling Amy Winehouse is set to break out big with her second album, Back to Black. Amy's current in the top ten (for the first time) with "Rehab." Also out is the greatest collection for Girls ALoud, The Sound of Girls Aloud: Greatest Hits. It includes the band's 12 prior singles, plus three new tracks: "Money," current top 10 hit "Something Kinda Ooooh," and a remake of Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now."

The biggest single of the week is Bodyrox featuring Luciana. The new rave instrumental for "Yeah Yeah" gets a radio-friendly makeover with the inclusion of Luciana's kittenish rap. I think I prefer the original, as Luciana really gets on my nerves.

Simon Webbe returns with the first single from his second album, Grace, due next month. "Coming Around Again" bears more than just a passing resemblance to his last single, "After All This Time," with its handclaps, acoustic guitars, and lush arrangement. I'm totally won over though, because Simon Webbe has an awesome voice--he sounds a lot like the lead singer from the Lighthouse Family. Jamiroquai is back also, with "Runaway," in advance of his greatest hits collection out next month. "Runaway" is just what you'd expect from him, danceable, accessible, and retro.

Keane's "Nothing in My Way" is a darker, more Keane-like single than their last, the upbeat "Crystal Ball." It's a great single from them, with Tim Rice-Oxley's cascading keyboard chords melding with Tom Chapman's voice. According to Tim, it's inspired by Eminem's "Lose Yourself." Rui de Silva hit #1 five years ago with "Touch Me." Now the track's singer, Cass Fox, is re-releasing it. It's a solid House track, not bad, not exceptional. Also out is "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" by Panic!at the Disco and "Martyr" from Depeche Mode, from their forthcoming greatest hits collection.

Bodyrox Featuring Luciana (3/5), Simon Webbe (4.5/5), Jamiroquai (3.5/5), Keane (4.5/5), Cass Fox (3.5/5).

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