Popjustice had a great post on this.





"Memory of You" is a b-side to this, right? I think it has a video too. I think I like that more.

Hey, I didn't know the View had a new single last year. It even sounds pretty good.

Is that the one that sounds like Status Quo? Like that one, the other one not so much.

Will be at least top 10 in the SOMBie singles poll this year, mark my words.

Ladyfinger (ne) - "Little Things" 7.8

Do you like the rock 'n' roll? This Omaha band used to teeter awkwardly between QOTSA desert rock and the more Fugazi-centric side of today's hardcore, but the first single from their upcoming album is a major step forward. You've got a choppy punk intro backing up a crooning, Parachutes-era Coldplay vocal melody (really), which then gracefully shifts into something out of the Constantines' book of tricks, exploding into a wickedly catchy riff at 1:23. Brooding yet hard charging, this deserves the kind of crossover punk-to-mainstream success that the Gaslight Anthem had.

Legal d/l: http://www.saddle-creek.com/sounds/Ladyfin...ittleThings.mp3

Second single "Omen" from the Prodigy's new one suggests that the price of blow in the UK remains reasonable in this economy.

Lots of people are doing it Pablo.

Going to do this week's in the next couple of days then I will do a podcast of the top 12.

A week behind here but sue me, I've been busy.

26/01/09

Bloc Party - 'One Month Off' 7.0

I don't know what happened to this band in the past 12 months, thankfully this is actually much better than the complete shit they've been putting out of late. Sounds like Bloc Par with a slight twist and a not a self conscious left turn. Has a hook and is danceable.

Lily Allen - 'The Fear' (and The Count Saves Lily Allen From The Fear Remix ) 9.5

As discussed by Morgan earlier in the thread, sounds like the character Verruca Salt fronting St. Etienne. A brilliant pop song and the remix gentrly lifts the
"fucking fantastic" out of it. Early contender for SOTY in my ears.

Pulled Apart By Horses - 'I Punched A Lion In The Throat'/ 'The Crapsons' 6.5

I wouldn't punch a lion in the throat (it might go into a coma) but these guys sound they actually do. It's very hard not to mention the big riffs on the lead side and I slightly prefer "Crapsons" for doing what the other side does faster louder and harder. Not really my thing though but someone, somewhere is bound to dig.

Sky Larkin - 'Beeline' 7.5

I have a big soft spot for this, it's nothing revelatory but it pushes buttons marked Louise, Justine and Lauren. Confident, unabashed girly Britpop. A lead you want to follow up. For some reason is being released as a watch, which is worth an extra 0.5.

The Airborne Toxic Event - 'Sometime Around Midnight' 2.5

What a terrible pompous intro, this is what all music must sound like to record execs. Go to the word melancholic before I turned it off. Sounds like Counting Crows doing an Echo and The Bunnymen cover

Fever Ray - If I Had A Heart (7') 7.5

Very tasty. Reminded me of The Knife. Still processing the album but wasn't expecting it to hit instantly. The songs itself feels like it needs an extra couple of minutes to go somewhere when ripped from the album. Video is very good too.

The Fray - You Found Me 4.0

Unfortunately yes. Why is this music still being made when The OC has finished?

Ida Maria – Oh My God 6.5

Good but pointless re-issue, loses marks for that. Should have made our singles list at some stage.

James Yuill - No Surprise 6.0

Same goes re-issue for this, folktronica that is a pleasant listen but not really much more.

thecocknbullkid* - 'I'm Not Sorry' 7.0

Still waiting for tcnbk to take off a little more, I'm sure Moshi Moshi will help (fine record label). I can definitely hear Sugababes in this one, both in voice and production. I actually like this more than the version on Later... drums sound better in that crisper Grace Jones icy snap than the played by humans ones.

Cherbourg 'Last Chapter Of Dreaming' EP 6.5

Another gypsy, folky let's have a violin in it band from West London, powerful live and the songs on this album are well written and played well, there is something that sounds a little forced in the Fleet Foxes by Arcade Fire style direction. Put them at the bottom of my pile of stuff that sounds like this. Maybe being slightly Gogo Bordelloish in it all is a the thing that makes the earnestness seem at odds to the rest of it.

Heartsrevolution 'Ultraviolence' 5.0

Can't really muster much enthusiasm for this past the first minute. Spank Rock, bit like Crystal Castles blah balah

Tommy Reilly Gimme A Call 5.5

Orange unsignedAct winner from recently, has had a top 20 with this, a by the numbers strummer. He looks like a young Bob Dylan if you filled his head up with too much air. The View meets Jamie T.


Wavves, First Aid Kit and probably some others have been moved to later in the year, both are great though so check them out too. That's it from me I think for January.

So, is this the only singles thread for 2009, so far?

It shouldn't be. I was hoping that MV would come through.

Should have made the 2007 poll, but nobody listened to me.

I did!

I've been editing the podcast at the moment, hopefully up in 24.

My January review chart

http://www.sendspace.com/file/63rios

Enjoy. 74MB.

OTM. It must be around about half a year since she first put this up as a demo on her space. It's still an amazing listen every time.

And while Britain has this song as their current #1 single, Australia, on the other hand...



...has this. Shameful.

Get the podcast while it's fresh.

http://soundopinions.org/forum/index.php?a...&pid=798566

M itch, you have a very comforting way of speaking...

You sound like Mick Jagger. Good podcast.

I listened to most of it so far, very good. Sky Larkin is another good find.

Thanks guys and girls. I've never been compared to Jagger before but that's no surprise considering I was born about ten miles away from where he was.

I just purchased the Sky Larkin album from 7Digital and am enjoying it quite a bit.

Apologies MV, didn't see that when it was posted, Will update soonish for you.

There's a good reason this reminded you of The Knife. It's the solo project of Karin Dreijer from The Knife. I agree, the video to this song is amazing.

I know, I should have put 'lol' afterward.

...

I eagerly await more reviews, good sir! Any more coming any time soon?

Should be a blitz for February this weekend once I've finished my all time list, Fingers crossed.

You're just a tease Mitchell.

Was a busy weekend and a busy week. Back from Middle East now so will start on Feb / Mar tomorrow. Thank you for the prod though. I needed it.

I'll keep these in here as the other thread is not pinned and to keep Raj happy.



Really enjoyed this, thanks for the nod Bobz, sounded like Teenage Fanclub.



I am a bit in love with her too after meeting her and buying copy 500/500 of the above at the Howling Belles show earlier in the month. She was far more energetic and bouncy than I was that night so I felt a little rude in comparison to her exuberance. Anyway, really like this band,

More on the way, just sticking on the kettle and making some late lunch.

2nd February

Colin MacIntyre - 'You're A Star' 7.0

Former Mull Historical Society front man's theme song for some ITV4 show based on a darts league in Wales directed by Irvine Welsh that I had never heard of. That said, this isn't bad and the best song from Colin I've heard since he "went solo". Sounds good back to back with the other side of the coin song "Famous For Being Famous" on the album Water. If you like any of former work, try this out. If you've never heard of him you'd be better off listening to "Animal Cannibus" though.

Coldplay - 'Life In Technicolour II' 5.5

For all the talk of their album last year being OK and that, not seen much talk about the Prospekt's March EP which I never heard, this is the lead track and while no Viva La Vida it's certainly a Coldplay which is why you may find it adequate or hate it and everything it stands for. BSP want their puppets as well.

Daniel Merriweather - 'Change' 3.0

"Stop me if you think you've heard this one before" OK.

Dirty Projectors & David Byrne/The National - 'Knotty Pine'/'Around The Bend' 7.5

We know all about these, songs from the Dark Was The Night charity compilation. The former is probably my favourite thing on the first CD and the b-side is not far behind. Have nothing bad to say about this at all really. Not the most exciting release in the world but the charity aspect renders that unimportant as does that Pavement shout out.

Of Montreal - 'An Eluardian Instance' from The Jon Brion Remix EP 4.5

What exactly is the point of this EP? Any Of Montreal fans enlight me, not that I listened to the album twice but didn't really remember any of these songs looking at the tracklist. Clearly not meant for me as I'm not a fan.

Seasick Steve - 'Happy Man 4.5

There's a time and place for this poor man's Johnny Cash an it's at a festival not my living room.

N.A.S.A. 'Whatchadoin’' feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A & Santogold / 'Money' - Feat. David Byrne & Chuck D 3.5 / 6.5

I'm not a fan of the a-side, far too dense for my liking despite the MIA bit, not 1.6 bad but there we go. B-side I do like, David Byrne yet again on here, doing something a little different from the above. Not sure if this can shake the whiff of novelty with Chuck D appearing on it as well.

The Constantines 'Our Age' 2.0

ZZZZZZZ Sounds like Bruce.

Eminem featuring Dr Dre & 50 Cent Crack A Bottle 6.0

I guess it's good to have him back, but considering the "Smack That" verse is much fresher in the mind than those brilliant turn of the century singles. The 50 Cent's bit is worthy of the mute button.

Miike Snow 'Burial' (Benny Blanco Remix Feat. Neon Hitch) 6.5

I like this but only from the point Neon Hitch comes in and goes all Catherine Bush on it. Before that it could just be something Justice knocked off on a spare morning. The original is pretty sluggish as well.

Cage the Elephant 'Back Against The Wall / False Skorpion' 2.5

Pointless Pavement cover as b-side. Terrible original, don't get this at all, not my kind of thing and sounds like it was done badly anyway.

The View 'Shock Horror' 5.5

"5Rebbeccas" I though sounded like Status Quo, have no intention to listen to the album as I liked two singles from the last one and am not falling for that again. "Shock Horror" has some stomp and glam to it though but The Libertines really do have a lot to answer for when the book is closed on this decade.

Spinnerette - 'Sex Bomb' (Adam Freeland remix) 7.5

Interesting come back from ex-Distiller Brody, not sure if I can could take an whole album sounding like the earlier songs that ebbed out from this project, the Adam Freeland remix of this however, is quite interesting and dare I say it commercial sounding.

9th February

Alesha Dixon - Breathe Slow 0.5

"Hello, I'm Alesha Dixon, I used to be in Mis-Teeq and won Celebrity Come Dancing in 2007. As this album sold quite well I haven't tried acting yet but am on TV far too much". Oh yeah this song was a bit hit and is about as interesting as spending the evening counting the moon.

Morrissey - I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris 7.5

If only this had been entered into Eurovision in 2007 like Moz sometimes jokes about, a strong single from a strong album. Certainly feel between his three 21st century albums there's a good hour of really great songs.

N-Dubz - Strong Again n/a

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ajVUlhxPJw

Watch the video, read the comments. 'Dangerous' music by rap singers sanitised for children.

Crystal Stilts – 'Departure' / 'Prismatic Room' 8.0

Board should have told me about this band last year, left to UK press to notify me this year. Bad form SOMB, bad form. Not even my favourite two songs on the album either! Check this out if you want to hear more from modern bands current fetish of 1986.

Sunny Day Sets Fire - 'Adrenaline' 8.0

Good: Catchy + handclaps. Xxxchange Remix. Sing-a-long fun fun fun. Bad: Maybe too twee? Strecthing to find that much bad to say though.

Antony & The Johnsons - 'Epilepsy Is Dancing' 7.5

Title immediately made me think of Ian Curtis and I'm sure I'm not the only one. It's not as inward looking as something like "Hope There's Someone" but it doesn't suffer for that and in that respect it's a good first single. Won't disappoint fans, won't sway doubters. Terrifying art work.

Telepathe - 'So Fine' 8.5

Album opener to their so fine debut album, ignored around here for whatever reason. Uncut said imagine Natasha Khan guesting for Hot Chip which I can see on some tracks but not so much this one which has David Sitek's thumb smudges all over it's warm dancefloor bulges.

Saint Etienne - 'Method Of Modern Love' 8.5

Yes it's to promote the best-of album from late year but had the lyrics been slightly different and given by Xenomania to Girls Aloud we'd all be raving about it. C'mon you bastards! Pretends it's a Hall and Oates cover!




More later, I hope.

When's your next recorded review coming through?

Once I've got to reviewing singles released tomorrow I make that seven weeks worth of singles so hopefully within a week I'll be able to sit down and put it together. The interest is much appreciated.

I don't get this review, did you actually listen to the EP? I think most people who listened to Skeletal Lamping agreed that "An Eluardian Instance" was the clear highlight. The Jon Brion remixes sound good, but they aren't too different from the originals. Added some more instrumentation and backing vocals. Coming from a big OM fan I would have given this somewhere between 7-7.5.

Nice review on The Joy Formidable. "Cradle" is a great song.

It's really a fan thing though isn't it. I listened to bits of it, I wasn't bothered about the album in the first of it.

yeah, this real good. kinda prefer the richard x remix over the original even though its not that much different

it has cool string samples

For those that care and can access, my ongoing 2009 Q1 mix is being prepared on Spotify http://open.spotify.com/user/mitchellstirl...OsNmEY8BwK8FRA0 as well as 2008 Q4 here.

I have The Great Escape in 2 weeks, after that I'll have more time to resurrect it and not a load of bad electro and BBC3 indie to sift through.