Young Stanley - Sing It For England (Young Stanley Records) 29/05/2006

N: Filled with passion and surprisingly well written (are we sure Brodie had nothing to do with this?), the coming of another World Cup tournament sprouts an eternal desire that the team will again do what the lads of '66 did. "Sing It For England" is another in the long line of records that will hit the shelves to commemorate this desire, and in my opinion with the passion displayed, has every right to call itself England's World Cup song.

T: Totally agree. Five builders from Bromley have evidently got as fed up as the rest of us of rehash after rehash of old tunes with rewritten lyrics, reissues and watered down pop acts doing the so called "official" songs, and decided to down tools and write their own, and whaddya know? As far as football anthems go, this is up there with the best of them, and like you say, it has passion and feeling, something most of those bands have forgotten all about. I was dubious about reviewing a World Cup song, but I actually LOVE this song. Young Stanley have effectively thrown their hard hats into the ring and landed with an almighty, definitive thump. Great single. 9/10

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Echo and the Bunnymen - Scissors in the Sand (Cooking Vinyl) 29/05/2006

T: The Bunnymen at their startling best, but then, when have they ever NOT been at their best? It seems that Ian McCulloch turns everything to gold that he touches, which must be a bugger when he's trying to take a piss, but still. Just like those heady old days of "Porcupine" and maybe even "Heaven Up Here", this is a pulsating track from a brilliant album. You may as well just not bother reviewing Bunnymen singles, and take it for granted that they will be superb.

N: I think you capture the essence of this single, and it certainly recaptures the magic McCulloch and Sergeant made for us all. Doing so, the only real downside I can hear is that it's nothing new. But when you have created a formula so well, why try to change it? After all, they do it so well. 8/10

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Last Stop China Town - Soldiers of Fortune / Opinions Collide (Woodhill Records) 22/05/2006

N: I guess looking at these guys, they're probably a little younger than I, but still I have memories of the television programme they pay tribute to here. As vocalist Alom comments, "Saturday afternoons consisted for me and my brother sat in front of the TV screen, completely fixated on the action that ensued. The idea of four Vietnam veterenas living on the street of LA, putting thinggs right for victims of circumstance just captured our hearts". Have you guessed what it is yet?

T: Well, that's an admirable tribute, but for me, Tuesday afternoon is about listening to a CD that gives you a shocking headache, and hoping Nick feels the same way...

N: Overall, absolute shite. Thankfully, this won't be remembered as the band's debut. Their earlier released "Just Ashes" will take this title, but really, childhood memories should be left as jsut that. Unless you're Nick Hornby of course. 1/10

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Story One - Out of Season (Shy Records) 22/05/2006

T: Can't help thinking that the violins are of paramount importance to this band. Those unorthodox screeches lift these guys way out of the mainstream quicksand they would surely have found themselves bogged down in without them. As it is, this is actually a pretty impressive, emotional second single that is worthy of our attention.

N: Running through both tracks one and two on this single, those violins do indeed provide staple support. With "Out of Season" the far rockier offering, track two "Sunday Best" possesses a heavier Celtic tinge. As I sit re-evaluating these two numbers, I'm finding what might have once been called "the B-side" the more favourable, and certainly interesting offering. What about you?

T: No, I actually liked "Out of Season" far more, because of its unusual nature but I can see your point. Looks like a band to watch if you ask me. 8/10

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The Like - What I Say and What I Mean (Geffen) 15/05/2006

T: Getting massive critical acclaim from all corners of the media, The Like are building an almighty profile at the moment, and it's true that their prickly melodies hold some appeal, but they still sound like Elastica to me, but not quite as exciting.

N: Girl rockers from LA are writing what I call bubblegum grunge here. Fairly inoffensive and wanting of so much more. 6/10

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Veldt - Walking in Silence (Outstanding Records) 15/05/2006

Being described as "Scott Walker being mugged by Portishead" is a pretty bold statement. Let's see if we can understand what theyr'e getting at.

T: I can see exactly what they mean, but although I like the prospect, somehow the result doesn't inspire me quite as much as I had hoped. I don't want to sound churlish though because I do respect what they've tried to do here and there's no doubt whatsoever that this is a very talented bunch indeed. A bit like cucumber really - lots of people love it, but while I'll eat it, I can't necessarily taste anything.

N: Having already sneaked a peek at what is to come from this group's long player (due for release later in June), although this single is still in keeping, it's certainly a creeper, and will I'm sure find it's way under listeners' skin. Composed beautifully with string arrangements running alongside the more contemporary, a 20th century soundtrack to Friedkin's "The Exorcist". Cucumbers? I used to have tomatoes covered in sugar, when I was younger. I wouldn't now though, but I have no objectiuon to cucumber. 7/10

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Fellcity Girl - Swim (Lavolta) 15/05/2006

Oxford cohorts Fellcity Girl mix huge ambitions with even larger soundscapes, and now after having been two years in the making, the group break free from the hallowed streets of their home town, following tours with the likes of The Zutons and sets at the Carling Reading and Leeds festivals by releasing the new ep "Swim". What is the overall judgment though?

T: It might sound odd, but I could hear Robert Smith in here in abundance; very akin to a Cure album track to my ears, but of course this is not a putdown. In fact it's quite the opposite. An uplifting, and at the same time soothing, melody that verifies the press release's assertation that FellcityGirl mix Muse with Sigur Ros. And that's a damn fine coming together. Great stuff.

N: It is said that this group mix the two artists you mention, but in all, although coming close, never really exceeds to originality. It's early days, but it would be terrible if this was what became the band's tagline. We'll see, I'll reserve judgment and look forward to big things. 7/10

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V//Formation - Little Heart (Double Dragon) 15/05/2006

Hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, V//Formation have recently supported The Zutons, Futureheads and Snow Patrol so their star seems to be well in the ascendancy.

T: Well they've got the worst name I've ever heard in my entire life, but that didn't stop Arctic Monkeys did it? Listening to "Little Heart" it also becomes apparent that this is a band with a big future ahead of them. This is an exciting indie rock wall of noise. Well worth checking out on their present UK tour.

N: Shit name or otherwise, as I do recall you first describing them, they certainly do make an impact, strike a pose and cover the Irish channel without losing anything other than their fucking great sound. With a solid rhythm as a mainstay to their sound, the "band with the shit name" deliver the goods in ample amounts, and you're right, certainly look forward to a shining future. 9/10

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Miss Black America - Emotional Junkmail (Ruby Slippers) 08/05/2006

This one's a little different, interactive if you like. For the band "Miss Black America" and the release of their new single Emotional Junkmail they have made available a video and audio stream, which surfers can access by clicking here.

Here (or should that be hear) you will be directed to a page where once loaded you will have the opportunity to see and hear the video for the single, directed by Dan Fernbach (Reuben/Bullet For My Valentine). What better chance to make up your own mind whether or not to invest in one of the two strictly limited edition formats. These have been hand-numbered by the band themselves and include exclusive B-sides, so like it enough and you'll probably be collecting both.
 
The single, has been taken from the acclaimed album 'Terminal' and was recorded with Editors and Nizlopi producer Andrew Taylor (no not from acclaimed 80's band Duran Duran silly).  Both of the two versions, previously mentioned are strictly limited to 1,000 copies each, so I'm providing links to collect both, so why not click - you've nothing to lose and revel in this bands use of an over-riding bassline, unintelligible lyrics and swimming guitars. 7/10

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Neil Leyton - Dead Fashion Brigade e.p. (Fading Ways) 08/05/2006

T: Apparently Neil has been compared to Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst, Nick Cave and Jeff Buckley in his relatively short career so far. All I can say to that is "Huh?" - to me this sounds just like any number of support bands we had when I played in the Duffmonkeys. Admittedly the compositions are rather stronger than most of those, and occasionally it sounds a little like Television, but the artists previously referenced are nonsensical. Seventies rock tinged with a minimalist amount of punk. Anyway he's pretty good at what he does.

N: *cough* - sometimes you have to be honest and describe the pretty shambolic, the mistimed and the totally uninteresting. What groove goes through my mind is "Who did Neil Leyton have to sleep with to get this released?".

T: (sheepish look)

N: As he sings in track two, they didn't just "lie to him" in the morning; they went and released the whole damn record. Judging by YOUR comments, it wasn't an isolated incident. Someone please stop me before I make an undignified exit.

T: Your flies are undone.

N: What worries me is that you were looking.

T: I didn't see much.

N: Well that'll be true. It's a cold day alright? 3/10

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Robyn G Shiels - Playing Host to Ideas (No dancing Records) 08/05/2006

Robyn G Shiels, fresh from playing support to Brakes and Antony and the Johnsons amongst others, comes this, the second single from his debut album "A Lifetime of Midnights".

T: Well, we know what Robyn was listening to in 1989 - "Sugar Spun Sister" by The Stone Roses. This is SO reminiscent of it that it's remarkable. I don't know what else to say about it except that it's pretty good, I guess.

N: None of the bleakness of Robyn's home country (Northern Ireland) comes across here, as suggested in the press release. i found this pretty uplifting. Stone Roses aside, Robyn's composition is fairly clean and uncluttered, and altogether shines with charm. 7/10

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Boy Kill Boy - Suzie (Vertigo) 08/05/2006

T: It's a pretty good, catchy single I admit, but it's very formulaic and you've heard this a million times before in the guise of Franz Ferdinand, Maximo Park, We Are Scientists, Shed Seven and even Inspiral Carpets. Not particularly exciting but for a typical "pop" record from another band who will undoubtedly be lauded as the "next big thing", I guess it does the job.

N: A band I've heard namechecked a lot recently, and one as you observe do seem to fit into a certain niche. Press darlings or otherwise, we have heard all this before. Certainly nothing new, although not out and out bad. 6/10

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Imogen Heap - Goodnight and Go (White Rabbit Records) 08/05/2006

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Milke - She Says (Fat! Records) 01/05/2006

T: The fact that this sounds like a slightly meatier Curiosity Killed the Cat puts me off it rather a lot. That might sound a little snobby, but I can't get the image of Ben the Beret out of my head and it's making me nauseaus.

N: Why?! For me this does exactly what it has already done - crossed over from the dance DJ environment to become an accessible track that I can easily see fitting into the more mainstream. Ok, so perhaps repetitive and possibly lacking the attack I'd like to hear, but maybe this should be re-labelled "tame remix". I don't know what they've done with it since its embryonic beginnings. I'd like to hear the album just to hear what they've got to offer. Funnily enough, noticing that the CD comprises seven mixes in total, ranging from the radio clean version that we reviewed to the darker and the dubbier...

T: What time's Trisha on again? Incidentally what did I do with that eyeball gouger? 4/10

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The Lodger - Let Her Go (Angular Records) 01/05/2006

T: Perhaps the sort of thing you'd expect Graham Coxon to come out with, with splendidly uplifting in yer face hooks and immensely satisfying production. It sounds a bit like a much needed thunderstorm to blow away the cobwebs of mundanity. This is a great, great single that takes me back to the Postcard days of the early eighties.

N: Yeah I'll go with that, but limited to only 1,000 copies. Someone's going to be disappointed.

T: Yeah, I mean what kind of record label would do a silly thing like that? Ahem...

N: (for further explanation to that comment, once Tone gets round to providing me with some text - news of Atomicduster Records' debut single release - you'll see what he means!) 9/10

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Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins - You Are What You Love (Rough Trade) 01/05/2006

T: I seem to remember you giving the album from which this is taken something of a pasting not so long ago. I have to confess, while I disagreed with you on that one, I'm hardly in the mood for this kind of gentle folksy stuff at the moment. Admittedly it's pleasant enough but it's not really happening for me.

N: Isn't this odd? Much to my surprise, I'm beginning to warm to Jenny Lewis's latest excursion. I won't deny that I hated with a passion what I first heard from the album she produced with The Watson Twins, "Rabbit Fur Coat", but this is a gentle medicine with glorious vocals offered by both Jenny and the Twins, not to mention a backing track that is offered without any malice. I may even liken this to that "spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down". Sorry Ms. Andrews, that was a naff analogy. But altogether I didn't find this as unbearable as I guess I might have done. Far from it even. 6/10

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