No surefire #1 single out this week, although one has a shot, and several others will probably be top 10 hits come Sunday. First off is "Land of a Thousand Words" from the Scissor Sisters, the follow-up to their massive #1 hit "I Don't Feel Like Dancin." The usually rambunctious band tones it down for "Land," a ballad in the vein "Mary," the ballad from their previous album that became their first #1 airplay hit. While the sound itself lacks their usual camp, the video is campy as ever: their take on a James Bond opening credits sequence.
Jamelia offers up the high-powered "Beware of the Dog," which makes liberal use of a sample of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus." It's a real workout of a song, reminiscent of what Rihanna did with Softcell's "Tainted Love" for her "SOS,'" only better, since Jamelia's more powerful voice doesn't get lost in the cacaphony of sound. After a misfire in "Jenny Don't Be Hasty," Paolo Nutini returns with third single "Rewind," which is poised to return him to the top 10 and become his biggest hit yet. It's certainly the best he's released--a restrained and emotional ballad. I haven't been impressed by him until now.
Finally, Embrace releases a fourth This New Day single, likeable, "I Can't Come Down." Also out are "Getting Enough" by Lil Chris and "Show Me What You Got" by Jay-Z, plus a re-release of Slade's 1973 Christmas #1, "Merry Xmas Everybody." Scissor Sisters (4.5/5), Jamelia (4.5/5), Paolo Nutini (4/5), Embrace (4/5).
The big new album release is the second solo album from Gwen Stefani, The Great Escape, featuring lead single "Wind It Up." Reviews have been fairly good, although not as praising as what was lavished on her overrated Love.Angel.Music.Baby. Emma Bunton releases her third album, Life in Mono, which features current top 10 hit "Downtown." On the greatest hits front we get Mary J. Bliges' Reflections: A Retrospective.
3 comments:
Who is Jamelia again? Remember when Cher and Madonna were the only artists who could get away with not using their last names? I miss those days.
Jamelia hit it big in 2003 with "Superstar," teamed up with Chris Martin in 2004 for "See it in a Boy's Eyes," and had a top 10 in the UK earlier this year with "Something About You."
Post a Comment