Charlotte Hatherley – Siberia (Little Sister Records) 25/06/2007

There’s something in the water at the moment, evidently. After all, people keep releasing the best tracks on their albums, and Charlotte has followed suit. You can’t deny her voice sounds a little like Kim Wilde (the reason for the title of her debut single download), but here she’s quite a ringer for Patti Smith. She actually makes me feel quite aroused listening to her, and there aren’t many artists you can say THAT about are there? Perhaps that just stems from some of the things she said to me in the interview (well, read it and see!) but anyway, the single – it’s an unusual, sprawling track that brings out the best in Charleypops. Hmmm…did I REALLY just call her that? I really can’t start having pet names for female singers now can I? Especially one whose other half is known for having people eaten by zombies in his films… 8/10

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Whole Sky Monitor – Harehills Chapeltown (Firebomb Radio Records) 25/06/2007

Bold and brash, with a swagger and baaadaaasss attitude that would leave the Gallaghers’ knees trembling, Whole Sky Monitor have probably reached the absolute pinnacle of their careers with this dirty, growling monster of a tune. It sounds like Mark E Smith would if you REALLY pissed him off. It’s totally wonderful, and the further tracks, “Mary Moses” and “Just Let Me Talk To Her” are equally chaotic and raw. Having heard this sneak preview, I absolutely cannot WAIT for the album now. Tremendous. 9/10

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Ash – Polaris (Infectious) 18/06/2007

Ok, I admit – when the delectable Charlotte Hatherley left the band, I had a feeling the band were going to go back to their guitar crunching splendour of “Numbskull” or its ilk. I was wrong, and they’ve returned with possibly the most romantic single they’ve ever released. It could easily have slotted onto their magnificent “Free All Angels” album a few years ago, what with its swirling, seering strings and some of the most heartfelt vocals you’re ever likely to hear Tim Wheeler level at you.

The single comes in a fascinating package with a continually flashing light. Now, seeing as I live not far from an airfield, I think I’d better turn it upside down before a Jumbo tries to land on my head. 8/10

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Findlay Brown – Losing The Will To Survive (Peacefrog Records) 18/06/2007

Some of the stuff being put out at present is nothing short of astonishing, and here’s another single that fits that bill. Findlay Brown, despite his tender years, quite clearly has his head well and truly immersed in the sixties, sounding rather like The Zombies on the lead track here. Somehow he goes from this sublime tune to an astonishing take on the JAMC’s “Just Like Honey”, where he strips the Reid brothers’ number down to its underpants and the overall result is something akin to Donovan. Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve Reanimation mix of “Losing The Will To Survive” gives the already spectacular track a feel reminiscent of Iron Butterfly.

Maybe I’m just an old hippy at heart, but this is just marvellous. Submerge yourself in the world of Findlay Brown, and you simply won’t want to come up for air. Excellent. 9/10

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The 69 Eyes – Perfect Skin (Virgin/EMI) 11/06/2007

If you want a record that sounds like Europe farting on Lordi, whilst Alice Cooper takes a piss in the corner, then this is perfect for you. It isn’t meant to be serious is it? It IS?? Well, what can I say? If this kind of stuff is still all the rage in Finland then I might have to reorganise my next holiday. I bet the lead singer was wedgied on a regular basis at school as well. This would be one of the worst records of the year if it weren’t so unintentionally hilarious. Utterly awful. 2/10

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Good Shoes – Morden (Brille Records) 11/06/2007

I am absolutely made up that the band has chosen to release this track as a single, as it is by far my favourite track on the admittedly excellent “Think Before You Speak” album.
It’s an exhilarating tune with some marvellously downbeat lyrics. 3 minutes and 16 seconds of absolute pop perfection which is flung back in your face as a bonus track that is more Mike Skinner meets The Specials than anything else.

This is undoubtedly the single of the year as far as I’m concerned. I almost want to cry at its brilliance. 10/10

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Maximo Park – Books From Boxes (Warp Recordings) 11/06/2007

One of the highlights of Maximo Park’s surprisingly good second album “Our Earthly Pleasures” - I don’t know WHY it’s surprisingly good, because I liked the first one as well. Great lyrics, a rather emotional tune and guitar work not too far removed from that of the great Johnny Marr. Fans and collectors alike will be intrigued to know that the single includes the band’s own take on The Proclaimers’ smash hit “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – and it’s hardly surprising that this is 6 billion times better than the Comic Relief version – as well as a third “obituary song”, this time for Guardian photographer Don McPhee. 8/10

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Hayseed Dixie – Breaking The Law (Cooking Vinyl) 11/06/2007

If I’m totally honest, the joke’s worn a bit thin for me now. Whilst the idea of attending a live show of these guys is highly appealing, it’s just too damn obvious these days when it’s committed to CD. Guess what? It’s a bluegrass version of an old Judas Priest number. What a surprise. Perhaps they should just tour without recording; they’re becoming a one-trick pony, although that may change if they released some of their often inspiring original compositions, or maybe even changed their style for a brief period. I don’t know – “Space Oddity” with trumpets or something? Hmmm…maybe that’s why I could never get a record deal… 5/10

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Drive By Argument – Sex Lines Are Expensive Comedy (Lizard King) 11/06/2007

This is a pretty damn noisy tune that borders close to emo without ever quite fully embracing the genre. This is a good thing though. It’s an exciting track, one that I imagine would generate a fair bit of interest in the moshpit, such is its overall “live” sounding effect. And hey, it’s another single with an amusing title. Keep ‘em coming guys! 7/10

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Bowling For Soup – I’m Gay (A&G Records) 11/06/2007

I’d like to give them points for the title alone, which made me laugh out loud when I read it, and I guess that’s kind of the point. “I think rock and roll is really funny when it’s serious” – you have to admit these guys have a point. Just listen to Nickelback for confirmation. I must confess I’d be far more inclined to see BFS live than a bunch of ultra serious musos with no sense of humour. That said, if the vocals here weren’t so damn nasally, they’d be a lot easier to stomach.

Anyway this is a highly entertaining, sprightly little number that, whilst it’s not entirely up my street, deserves to be a big hit…just to make the point to a greater number of people. 6/10

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Zico Chain – Where Would You Rather Be? (Hassle) 04/06/2007

An interesting diversion from their debut mini-album, which sounded like a modern day Nirvana. Now though, they sound even more up to date, evoking thoughts of a bastardised Queens of the Stone Age, and yes, the Motorhead influence is still quite clearly there for all to see and hear.

The Zico Chain have quite blatantly been dipped in a cement mixer and come out as hard as nails, despite only being in their early twenties. If you’re into rock, and you’re fed up of the crappy US “rock by numbers” being spewed out on a daily basis over the airwaves, watch in delight as this band are about to drop an almighty stink to pollute their disgustingly clean world. A “silent but deadly” if you like. Except it’s anything but silent. 8/10

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The Bird and the Bee – Again & Again (Regal) 04/06/2007

Sounds like Roisin Murphy being tickled. Or at least it does when it begins; it then transpires into something resembling a fucked up, late night London coffee bar. I could almost imagine this being used as a Tampax commercial for the more unusual calibre of women. Seriously odd, but at the same time peculiarly pleasant. 7/10

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