This is one of those weeks that make pop music geeks like me salivate. What a week of new singles releases! 9 major new singles released today in the UK, surely to create massive turnover in the top 10. It even seems possible for debuts to occupy at least 4 of the top 5 slots. Incidentally, I had prepped this article to be about 10 singles, but Christina Aguilera blinked, and moved the the release of "Hurt" to next week. Here they are:
1. Rock Steady - All Saints
After an almost 6-year abscence, '90s girl group All Saints have reformed and released a real stomper of a comeback single. It's my pick of the lot to be #1 next weekend. The electronic production and sexy vocal delivery shows they are at the top of their game as much today as they were back in 1998-2000 when they hit #1 multiple times with hits like "Never Ever," "Pure Shores," and "Black Coffee." Brilliant comeback--can't wait for the album in a couple of weeks (5/5)
2. Easy - Sugababes
In any other week, this would be an easy #1, but the Sugababes will have to settle for another top 5 hit. This fantastic single features very lean versus that give way to pounding synth transitions and then finally the retro-80s sounding chorus. It's no secret I'm a big fan of the 'babes--they are my favorite British girl group--and this is another good slice of pitch-perfect pop. From their forthcoming Overloaded: The Greatest Hits collection. (5/5)
3. The Saints Are Coming - U2 & Green Day
Big-time pop soloists are always collaborating on special edition singles, but two big-time rock bands? U2 is arguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and Green Day, while not quite at that level yet, is certainly well-regarded, particularly after their last album. This matchup, from U2's upcoming greatest hits collection, U218, manages to tow a perfect balance between sounding like a U2 song and a Green Day song. It opens quietly, quickly building to great heights. It would be fun if this landed at #2, as a sort of introduction for the All Saints at #1 (just a thought). (4.5/5)
4. The Rose - Westlife
Irish boy band Westlife (yes they are still around) returns with the first offering from their 7th album, a covers collection called simply The Love Album, is a rousing remake of Bette Midler's "The Rose." Don't you just want to smack them? That makes four out of their last six singles that are remakes. Still, the boys can sing, and you got to hand it to them for making the group work since Brian McFadden's departure three years ago. They still look good too, after being at it in the limelight now for almost 8 years. They even have a gay member. So suck it up and enjoy this surprisingly good remake of "The Rose." (4/5)
5. Self Control - Infernal
It's another remake, but it's really really good. Infernal had a major hit earlier this year with "From Paris to Berlin," which was good, but grew tiresome after awhile. This Laura Branigan remake is way better. It makes me happy every time I hear it's energetic retro synth-laden power vocal vibe. Or maybe it makes me want to don a unitard, sweatband, and legwarmers. (5/5)
6. Jump - Madonna
"Get Together" was my favorite track from Confessions on a Dancefloor, but it's obvious why it didn't become the hit that "Hung Up" and "Sorry" were: too clubby. Fourth and presumably last single "Jump" lands on more solid pop territory: good buildup, good hooks, great melogy. Another very strong winner from Madonna, capping off the best set of singles she's put out since Ray of Light's. (5/5)
7. Shoot the Runner - Kasabian
Sing-along "Shoot the Runner" is easily more accessible than last single, "Empire." Great British rock track. (4/5)
8. Who Cares? - Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley still has the year's biggest hit in "Crazy," but fizzled with "Smiley Faces," which made only #10. "Who Cares?" is a more fun track, but they'll be lucky to be in the top 10. (4/5)
9. This Is Not Real Love - George Michael & Mutya Buena
How fun is it that former Sugababes member Mutya Buena's duet with George Michael is up against their new single, "Easy?" I really liked this single when I first heard it, but I've become bored with it recently. It's not bad, but not that exciting. I nice mellow duet ballad. (3.5/5)
On the albums side of things, Damien Rice releases his second album 9, which I know nothing about. Jamiroquai's greatest hits, High Times: Singles 1992-2006 is out, featuring "Runaway," The Magic Numbers new album, Those the Brokes, McFly's new album, Motion in the Ocean, and Moby's Go: The Very Best of Moby hits collection. Pretty ho-hum, although I expect McFly will come out on top followed by Magic Numbers.
No comments:
Post a Comment