Singles reviews - 7th July 2003

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Singles released w/c 7th July 2003

Blur - Crazy Beat
While "Out Of Time" was a brilliant, lo-fi introduction to Blur's new album, "Crazy Beat" wants to be the next "Song 2" - a loud, raucous thrash about. It's nowhere near as catchy though, and doesn't really urge you to sing along. The vocodor effects sound out of place, and nothing in the song sounds vaguely coherent, almost like they threw together too many different ideas and hoped for the best. Granted, it's hard to pick any suitable singles off "Think Tank" because the songs are quite abstract, but that doesn't mean this mess should be rated any higher.
(Ryan King)

Joe Budden - Pump It Up
Rowdy hip-hop with an annoying rapper shouting random words over a recycled backing track. Joe Budden constantly tries to catch up with the song, but fails miserably. It will probably make the Top 5 anyway, since it's been on circulation on MTV Base since March, and has received never ending play on the likes of The Box. Yep, this is what Joe Budden's going to deliver us all summer. Lovely.
(Twixy)

Eminem - Business
The king of rap is back with another single from the No. 1 album "The Eminem Show". When listening to this, you can't help but think it's "Lose Yourself" over a different beat, while sounding suspiciously like a Dr Dre track! Even though it sounds like all the other Eminem stuff, it's clearly one of his best singles yet, much better than the dire "Sing For The Moment". This should see him get yet another Top 10 hit.
(hype)
I can't say I agree with Seamus Heaney's praise for Eminem that was unexpectedly delivered last week, but "Business" certainly isn't the worst he's come up with. In fact, it's arguably one of his strongest tracks, production-wise. However, unsurprisingly, "Business" is annoyingly egoistic and self-centred. Not nearly to the extent as "The Real Slim Shady" or "Without Me" though, which does make it much more bearable in comparison.
(Paul Matthews)

Javine - Real Things
The Popstars "reject" makes her debut this week, following releases from One True Voice, Girls Aloud and The Cheeky Girls - but can she repeat any of their chart successes? Beating One True Voice may not be difficult, but with stiff competition from Pink, Kym Marsh, and even Beyonce, she may find it a challenge to reach the Top 5. That said, it's a great track from a fantastic singer, and this should do her credibility no harm at all. It's catchy, it's cool, and Javine in a black catsuit will be raking the boys in!
(king_oxymoron)
Javine might not have made the final five of Girls Aloud, but hearing her debut single makes you wonder how well she'd fit in anyway. "Real Things" shares a sample with MOP's "Ante Up", but swaps the gangster posing of that song for a more slick, urban sound. Javine's first song has more in common with Mis-Teeq than Girls Aloud, which is no bad thing. "Real Things" doesn't quite have the same attitude as either of those two girl groups, but it's an impressive start nevertheless.
(Ryan King)

Avril Lavigne - Losing Grip
Avril Lavigne can do no wrong at the moment. After three massive Top 10 hit singles and a No. 1 album, Avril releases another track from the excellent "Let Go". "Losing Grip" is her rockiest single to date. While it lacks the instant appeal of the previous singles, the song is still another great track which showcases Avril's talent. With songs like this, there's no doubt that she can continue the huge amount of success she has at the moment.
(Dazzle)
More pop/punk from the pint-sized Canadian rocker. This time Avril Lavigne is moaning "You weren't there when I was scared, When I was so alone", but her teenage angst act is one of the least convincing seen for some time. Which is a bit of a problem, because "Losing Grip" is grungier to reflect her dark mood, yet it sounds incredibly generic. Given that there are far better teenage angst songs to choose from (hell, even Avril Lavigne has written some of them), it's hard to recommend this.
(Ryan King)

Madonna - Hollywood
Things haven't gone quite so well for Madonna's latest album "American Life", but this is about to change with the release of her new single "Hollywood". Much better than her last single, "Hollywood" is an excellent pop tune that has all the charms to become an enormous hit - it's funky, playful, melodic, confident and very well sung. Madonna definitely knows how to produce great music, and the video for this song is every bit as irresistible. Is there any doubt she's still the queen of pop?
(Xevi)
"Hollywood", the third release from the album "American Life", is yet another record from Madonna bemoaning American culture, and the tedium of this presents itself clearly on this record. It lacks the bold and brassy sound and style Madonna is famed for, and much of this is due to the predictable and formulaic production courtesy of Mirwais. Madonna's vocals aren't quite up to scratch here, which possibly explains why this is so forgettable.
(Paul Matthews)

Kym Marsh - Come On Over
"Come On Over", the next single taken from Kym Marsh's forthcoming debut album "Standing Tall", is a great follow up to the No. 2 smash "Cry". "Come On Over" is more of a summery and upbeat song that is sure to catch everyone's attention. The soothing tune combined with the beat creates a great summer atmosphere, and is sure to get people dancing. Kym's superb vocals are strong, and she is once again showing the world that she's better than her Hear'Say past. This tune is sure to be a Top 5 success.
(John S)
After her fantastic debut solo single "Cry", the follow up is slightly disappointing. While "Come On Over" is not a bad song in itself, it's not very strong single material. Kym's voice doesn't sound much above average... and the tune is pretty weak! Kym has already shown that she has the potential to be a big star, but why would she release such a weak song when there are so many better ones on the album? This song should still give her a second Top 10 hit though, and prove that she's still the most talented and successful of her former Hear'Say bandmates.
(Dazzle)

Pink feat. William Orbit - Feel Good Time
Pink could be the new Madonna! She manages to reinvent herself with a different style for every album. After R&B on the first album and a rockier sound on the second, the first single from Pink's forthcoming third album moves into a dancier direction. Produced by William Orbit, it takes a few listens for this song to kick in... but when it does, you won't be able to stop singing along! This is yet another brilliant single from one of the most successful female singers around at the moment.
(Dazzle)
On paper, the theme to "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" offers much promise. It's sung by an artist who has rarely put a foot wrong, was written by the very talented Beck and produced by the equally as talented William Orbit. Unfortunately it fails to live up to these expectations, largely because it's over-produced and overly conscious that it is, at heart, a "film song".
(Paul Matthews)

Simply Red - Fake
Simply Red's second single from "Home" is a return to the band's 80s sound. It's nice to hear real instruments in new recordings, but this song ends up sounding like an oldie. "Fake" is a joyous tune, complete with a strong, loud chorus, which is the second thing that saves it from mediocrity. The first one is, of course, Mick Hucknall's zestful vocals. A rather disappointing follow up to "Sunrise".
(grybop)

Vitamin C - Last Nite
Vitamin C had some pretty substantial success in the US a few years back, but this is her first release in the UK. A cover of The Strokes' "Last Nite", the raw guitar sound that made the original great has been removed, and it's instead been 'funked up' into a more dancey track. However, the interesting thing is that it's also been partially combined with Blondie's "Heart Of Glass", presumably due to the Blondie/Strokes bootleg that was doing the rounds earlier this year. So, interesting it may be, but that doesn't make it that good.
(Amir)
Aha! Do you see what's happened here? Vitamin C has taken "Last Nite" by The Strokes and made it rubbish! Everyone's going to buy that! Vitamin C's taken the classic Strokes song and taken out the raw guitars and vintage drumming (everything that made the original song good) and added reverb vocals and keyboards (everything that makes this song bad). It sounds rubbish on paper, it probably sounded rubbish in the studio and it sounds rubbish on your stereo. Save your money and buy "Is This It" by The Strokes instead. That'll teach Vitamin C.
(Ryan King)

Other singles released this week

Hi-Gate - Split Personality
Isaac James - Baby Likes It
Elton John - Are You Ready For Love
Eugene Kelly - Older Faster
Kraftwerk - Tour De France 2003
Longview - Further
The Mad Capsule Markets - Gaga Life
Minimalistix - Magic Fly
N-Trance - Destiny
Pepe Deluxe - Girl!
The Rain Band - Knee Deep And Down
Rocket Science - Being Followed
The Sleepy Jackson - Vampire Racecourse
Stone Sour - Inhale
Transplants - DJ DJ
Tricky - Antimatter
Zena - Let's Get This Party Started

The ratings explained:
 - awful, unbearable!;    - pretty poor effort;     - average, passable;      - good stuff;       - awesome, love it!