Boy Kill Boy - Civil Sin (Vertigo) 31/07/2006

N: This band certainly possess a menace, but unlike any other?

T: Sounds like The Killers having a half arsed jam with Panic at the Disco, and then going to the pub and saying "Yeah that'll do, put that one out as a single". Just sounds like they're not really interested.

N: Send them back to the bar, I wanted a bag of salt and vinegar crisps with my Red Stripe! 4/10

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Seafood - Signal Sparks (Cooking Vinyl) 31/07/2006

T: They're definitely one of the best kept secrets in the UK. I mean, they've got a large, loyal following, but surely this is a band that warrants at least some attention from the general public as I'm sure they'd be huge if they were given enough airtime. What's the matter with you people? David Line is clearly a star in the making!

N: Yeah, a band it seems we haven't heard from for quite some time, but in this time the group certainly haven't been idle. A cracking first track, but "Bad Flag", the second number here is easily my favourite, although far less structured and red raw in presentation, love the effects they've added to the guitars in places - very reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine. Quite an awesome return. 9/10

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Good Shoes - All In My Head (Brille Records) 31/07/2006

T: The lyrics here could describe any number of chart regulars these days! I love the minimalist tendencies of this band and the clearly careless musicianship.

N: Yes, their shambolic presentation first brought to mind that of The Libertines. Instantly adorable and still on the edge that hasn't been overplayed. 8/10

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Helen Boulding - What a Fool (Made In Sheffield) 24/07/2006

N: It is said that Helen transforms from here usually demur gentility and grace into a powerful performer and potent songwriter, when behind her music. Certainly this number comes across with impact upon first encounter, but I'm afraid soon fizzles out and that initial impact transforms into something far less appealing and well, pretty 'run-of-the-mill'. Disappointing at best. Tone?

T: Yes.

N: Lost for words then, now that's unusual?

T: You put all your eggs in my basket and I saw no need to smash them.

N: Boy, the sun really has gone to your head. 3/10

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Viva Voce - From the Devil Himself (Full Time Hobby) 24/07/2006

T: The Real McCoy when it comes to husband and wife duos, Viva Voce's new single is a savage attack on those people you bump into everyday who'll sell you their granny for a million quid and give you a packet of peanuts for an antique Chippendale. It's a song we can all relate to, it's full of dirty sounding guitars, stomping drums and perfectly utilised handclaps. As a result it's my favourite single of the month. But are you anywhere near as impressed as me Nick?

N: Coming in with the line "He had a cheap guitar", you just KNOW this is going to be good. "From the Devil Himself" is a song with a tale of sold souls and a dirty musical backing a la Jesus and Mary Chain. This is a wonderful example of rock 'n' roll. I can just imagine these bad boys and girls dressed in black leathers and playing Gretch guitar, so yes, I am as impressed as you. 10/10

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Bonnie Prince Billy - Cursed Sleep (Domino) 24/07/2006

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!Forwardrussia! - Eighteen (Dance To The Radio) 24/07/2006

T: It was Steve Lamacq who first introduced me to this band. Remember when he rang us up to thank us after we'd made him aware of the sublime Elle Milano? He told me that the best things he'd heard all year were the aforementioned band, Brakes "Give Blood" album and ForwardRussia. While I agreed with him on the first two, I seem to remember us being less than impressed by an early single by this band. I can say now though, with my hand on my heart, that we were obviously celebrating "Stupid Day" on that occasion, as the group's unusual musical style coupled with vocals that sound like Billy Mackenzie trying in turn to sound like the Kitchens of Distinction, all adds up to hook the listener in with the utmost of ease. Great band who seem to be getting better.

N: Either that or a shedload of unusual drugs. Come to think of it, did you ever renew your 'script? Certainly something quite different and not your average bid. An aggressive refrain announces ForwardRussia's latest and is only tempered by the singer's falsetto vocal. Were we really that disparaging toward this band? Never mind Stupid Day, I think we must have had Stupid Sprinkles on our cereals that morning. 9/10

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The Holloways - Two Left Feet (TVT Records) 24/07/2006

T: These North London invaders have released a quirkily cheerful tune that's bright enough to satisfy the mainstream audiences across the UK, but seems a little bit too twee to grab my attention all that much. If you're a fan of overly cheerful music you'll love this. If you like something with a bit more of an edge, you'll hate it. Me, I'm caught in the middle of those two schools of thought.

N: Whoa! No messin' eh? This quartet nail their sails firmly to the mast as soon as this number strikes up and leave the listener breathless and basking in this band's sheer joy at living. Twee or not, what they do is certainly no worse than the next man's pint. 7/10

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Humanzi - Diet Pills and Magazines (Fiction/SFR) 17/07/2006

T: It's ok, I'm not cracking up - I STILL think this is a very weak track compared with most of the rest of the album, which meanders along like a flat cap driver who will sit at a junction waiting for a car three miles down the road to pass before he pulls out. Why release the worst track on the album? Bizarre.

N: Tearing its shirt off like a Chippendale, only to reveal a six-stone male stripper lurking beneath the white-shirt and bow tie, he's even forgotten to bring his A-to-Z and proceedes to meander with no particular direction in mind. Basically I'm agreeing with what you have said, I'm just dressing it up a little.

T: Well, I know you've always enjoyed dressing up. 3/10

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James Morrison - You Give Me Something (Polydor) 17/07/2006

N: Is this... isn't he supposed to have died back in 1971?

T: OH FOR FUCKS SAKE WE DIDN'T EVEN GET PAST THE TITLE....

N: Ummm, well got to keep you on your toes. Now to be serious for a moment, do you not think that James' parents fell about laughing when they decided on a name for their new born. Methinks maybe a little too much wacky backy on the evening after the birth!

T: Shall we review the song? Anyway it's a soulful, chilled out sunny day number that is a gentle massage on your neck which is nice at first but does actually become a little irritating after a while. Good job it's short.

N: Yeah, but even if you think you've not heard this before you play it, when you do you will realise you have. What does that say?

T: Well, whatever it takes to break on through to the other side I guess. AAAGH! You've got me at it now! 6/10

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Clayhill - One Nerve (Eat Sleep) 17/07/2006

An intense melancholy surges into life when Clayhill's latest 2-track download single 'One Nerve' is given melody. Vocalist Gavin Clark breaths the most delectable lyric (play the game of trying to work out what they are?), then courtesy of their web site read exactly what they are. I found this to be quite an engaging game, I think I'd score myself at about 6/10, but even with those lyrics in front of me, I still had little idea of what it was all about, that's the second part of the game.

So this three piece who have just accompanied Gomez on recent dates in Manchester and Sheffield and garnered much acclaim with their latest album 'Mine At Last', have ventured into the hyper-space void, offering second track 'Come Down' as a web only incentive. Another suitably obscure bash, only this time I cannot find the lyrics to test my understanding of Gavin's presentation. Oh well, perhaps I should get a life! 7/10

Nick James

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The Pigeon Detectives - You Know I Love You (Dance To The Radio) 17/07/2006

"You Know I Love You...", a somewhat desparate plea from tPD's frontman, a man striking the kind of pose that makes him #1 in the younger brother stakes of either Clint Boon or Bobby Gillespie, or maybe even both (how that could happen we can only wonder)! With a picture sleeve that shrieks of the same desperation that makes this single so infectious and will certainly demand as much, if not greater attention as their first hotly tipped debut "I'm Not Sorry".

Filled with the hard driven "jangle" of guitars and a heady rhythm section acting as canvas to the frantic proposition, "You know I love you, take off your clothes, it's all right...", who could not be won over by this band's inevitable charm? I look forward to hearing great things from this young band, but 'pigeon', really what does that say? 8/10

Nick James

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Gnarls Barkley - Smiley Faces (Wea) 17/07/2006

Gnarls Barkley, a person or more likely a collective, appear shrouded in mystery, somewhat like those of the Gorillaz I've tried to make sense of the notes I've found and can only assume that this is a spiritual place where music runs rife. Previously credited with producing the freely insane single 'Crazy' earlier this year, a track whose musical strains should well be classified, so dangerous are they if come into contact with.

This is their (I say this with caution) follow-up single and although I can't credit this with quite the same insanity as the earlier mentioned release, is certainly filled with the same soulful gospel leaning and heavy bass drive that spins this into outer space and will infect feet with its defiance. I shall therefore conclude, that mystery should sometimes be considered good. 7/10

Nick James

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Bob Sinclar - World, Hold On (Children Of The Sky) (Defected/Yellow Productions) 10/07/2006

Just shy of the release of Bob Sinclar's forth album, 'Western Dream' comes his latest single - 'World Hold On', but 'his' latest release is somewhat of a smoke screen, as the shadowy figure of 'Bob Sinclar', is neither a "jewel thief", "mercenary" or "hardcore porn star", in fact "Bob Sinclar" is not actually 'anyone' at all, just the assumed identity of Chris Lefriant and the persona of a character in a old French spy film. This Parisian DJ, weaned on diet of hip-hop, funk and soul, soon gave up his dream of becoming a tennis pro and thankfully, for the Paris music community, became one of a breed dubbed "Le French Touch", along with artists Dimitri From Paris and Daft Punk et al.

'World Hold On' is a slickly produced dance track, featuring vocals by Steve Edwards, singing of the future in store for us all and the love that will unite us. Bob or Chris to be precise, has created an insanely infectious tune with hooks that easily latch onto those within ear shot. Early Seal will come to mind on first hearing this, although Steve soon makes a name for himself with a little help from Bob Sinclar's wizardry. 8/10

Nick James

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Morning Runner - Oceans (Parlophone) 17/07/2006

Morning Runner are venturing into ground Coldplay thought was their own, that of extremely easy listening. Music that will be played at literally "teens" of teenage funerals, played as homage to the dearly departed and the congregaton will understand exactly why they are no longer with us.

Composed with the dexterity the band obviously display from having been won over by their debut album 'Wilderness Is Paradise Now', but is just not the most magical single to have released, they're are far more worthier causes to tout. Somewhat drap and disappointing. 4/10

Nick James

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Richard Ashcroft - Words Just Get In The Way (Parlophone) 10/07/2006

Looking back at former reviews posted by Atomicduster, it became clear to me (if clarity were needed) that Richard Ashcroft is certainly one of our favoured artists. From the very first name check we gave him way back in November of 2000, to the latest reviews we've been giving the material from his 'Keys To The World' album, Richard appears if nothing else to be consistent.

As a consquence I'd take great pleasure in giving 'Words Just Get In The Way' a slating, just to prove that even the most infalable artist was like the rest of us, just human, but being honest with myself this was never going to happen. A song with a beautifully textured composition and lyrics that flow with a tearful honesty, is just the start of what bleeds from this single. The album from which this is the 3rd single, shows that Richard Ashcroft has lost none of his charm and ability that he first showed with the band Verve back in 1992. Greatness is the game and Richard Ashcroft is his name. 9/10

Nick James

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Adem - Launch Yourself (Domino) 03/07/2006

T: I've been listening to Tom Waits' "Swordfishtrombones" quite a bit lately, and, while it's the other side of the musical spectrum completely, I can actually see some of the same structuring in Adem's new single, albeit in a far more mainstream way. It's noticeable too that the ex-Fridge man has been working with Hot Chip of late, having embraced the rhythmic tones of the latter artist. This is really quite pleasing to the ear.

N: This is what I like about Adem - almost a Badly Drawn Boy for those wanting something a little more underground. Great compositions with delicate patterns. On picking up the single though, I think it has to be mentioned that I felt a little disappointed in that we were offered four mixes of the same song. Fortunately these weren't the same four mixes, and were suitably different (musically) to almost make up for this. 8/10

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Razorlight - In the Morning (Vertigo) 03/07/2006

T: How bizarre. I was only thinking yesterday "Whatever happened to Razorlight?". Now I know - Johnny Borrell evidently retreated to his bedroom and played old Talking Heads albums to himself over and over again...

N: Is this really a new song? Well it must be radio play. Whether or not he's been spending a little TOO much time in the company of Byrne and co, or even in his bedroom, I don't care. It's a nice single, catchy most certainly, or are you going to disagree with me?

T: Not at all. I would say it's a quietly effective single. I wouldn't say it was fantastic but I think your description of it as a "nice" single is jjust about right.

N: Ok then, how are we going to mark this? 7/10

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Fall Out Boy - A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More "Touch Me" (Mercury) 03/07/2006

T: I immediately want to dislike this song because of its bloody silly long title, and while it is the same old emo-rock they always churn out, I can't deny that their tunes are as catchy as a sore throat. I don't think this band is ever going to tickle my testicles, but then again, I doubt very much they want to anyway.

N: Emo most certainly screams from this number with a nice tone in lyrics painting a wonderful picture of resigned emotion, although I'm not quite sure if this is a change in direction for the band or just that I prefer their earlier releases. Either way, not exactly memorable, for me at least. 4/10

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Yes Boss - More Or Less/They Think It's All Over (Dance To The Radio) 12/06/2006

Hilarious, absolutly hilarious. Yes Boss certainly know how to spin a rhyme and this, the follow up to their debut single 'Get Dropped Quick/Indie Kids', was a tune that certainly put Yes Boss firmly on the map. The north's MC Noah and Gavin Lawson aka Yes Boss on first sight appear to take on The Streets and like Mike Skinner's debut album, appear like a breath of fresh air sweeping through the "white" Uk hip-hop music scene. "Parental Advisory" may be somewhat of a cliche now, but if you consider that the subject matter Yes Boss are rhyming is strictly adult, then I'm prepared to forego this. 8/10

More Or Less/They Think It's All Over is available on 7" single from selected music shops and as a download from the Dance To The Radio web site.

Nick James

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Kat Flint - The Secret Boys Club e.p. (NAZ Recordings) 05/06/2006

T: Sounds like a cross between Joni Mitchell, 4 Non Blondes, All About Eve and Anne Murray. Gentle folk music that neither excites nor aggravates.

N: I'm lost for words. Evidently a fine musician with a voice and timing that seats nicely on the five tracks available. All About Eve you mentioned, I'd certainly agree, but this band did manage to drive the sound in a far more effective manner. But I suppose in some ways that's like comparing chalk and cheese, and not taking anything away from Kat, she's a wonderful songsmith. 6/10

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