Single Reviews

"Me and My Imagination" Sophie Ellis-Bextor (5/5). Real return to form for the British dance-pop singer. The sultry disco beat with deep bass keyboards and synth strings harkens back to her best work from 6 years ago. From forthcoming album, Tripping the Light Fantastic.

"Real Girl" Mutya Buena (5/5). Former Sugababes member steps out on her own with this debut solo single, an engaging reworking of Lenny Kravitz's "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over." Has #1 stamped all over it.

"Makes Me Wonder" Maroon 5 (5/5). First single from Maroon 5's second album is a retro-funk pop gem. Think Jamiroquai at his very best but with Adam Levine's swagger. Is currently #1 on the UK airplay and the US singles charts.

"4 in the Morning" Gwen Stefani (5/5). As I've said before, Gwen Stefani works best when she does retro (rather than hip-hop) and uses her full range, which is what you get here, the best Sweet Escape track.

"Never Again" Kelly Clarkson (4.5/5). Kelly Clarkson's first single in 2 years finds her angry--mining a bad relationship for this rocky track. Lacks the obvious hooks of the Breakaway-era singles, but still sounds great.

"Big Girls Don't Cry" Fergie (4.5/5). Silly lyrics aside ("I'm gonna miss you like a child misses its blanket") this gentle guitar-and-strings ballad is a nice departure from the sassy R&B pop she's given us so far. I'm totally won over now.

"Closer" Travis (4.5/5). Travis's best single since 2002's "Flowers in the Window" is a lovely, atmospheric rock ballad. They were the Coldplay of British rock before Coldplay.

"Everything Is Average Nowadays" Kaiser Chiefs (4/5). Surprisingly choice for second Yours Truly, Angry Mob single is short slice of frantic rock akin to (but not as good as) "I Predict a Riot."

"The Living Tree" Shirley Bassey (4/5). Is Bassey auditioning to make the next Bond theme? (She's done 3: Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, and Moonraker). This could certainly qualify, with its bombastic '60s-ish sound, vaguely reminiscent of the Bond Theme itself.

"Your Love Alone Is Not Enough" Manic Street Preachers (4/5). I've never been into this band, but this is a pretty fun song, a rolicking back and forth between male and female leads. Surely sounds great live in a pub.

"I Won't Be Crying" Infernal (4/5). This band is quickly becoming underappreciated. This is a great dance single, liberally sampling Depeche Mode's "Strangelove."

"Signal Fire" Snow Patrol (3.5/5). Snow Patrol, still unable to get back "Chasing Cars," offers this Spider-Man 3 soundtrack single, a starts-slow-but-picks-up single. Decent, but no "Chasing Cars" or "You're All I Have."