Crash My Model Car - Maybe EP (My Dad Recordings) 04/12/2006

T: Very much a mid-nineties "soft indie" outfit, along the lines of the Gin Blossoms or the Gigolo Aunts, and it's not a great deal more exciting this time around. I could see this kind of stuff finding a niche in the US market but I can't help thinking that over here they're unlikely to have more than one number 29 hit before going up in smoke.

N: CMMC may not stop the world with this "Maybe", and as has already been mentioned, this pale imitation of indie rock may not find a place here in the UK's hardened scene. On a college circuit however, it may well find a place. With the B-side "White Light" however, this may have been a better choice with its solid mainstay, as it doesn't ring of what we've just heard from this band. 5/10

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ATF - Unconditionally (W Investments) 27/11/2006

T: It all starts off rather impressively, with some marvellous world beats and a seemingly interesting proposition is in store. Then unfortunately the shocking saccharine sweet lyrics kick in and the whole thing borders on Gloria Estefan terrirtory. Pity because the instrumentation is spot on. Listenable but annoying at the same time.

N: This Latino swing comes across as just another sad loser in the X-factor stakes. With an effeminate vocal presentation a la J-lo, he may not have been one of Simon, Louis or Sharon's protegees, but he'd fit right in if he was.

T: I'm shocked and horrified you know all their names...

N: Sadly, one has a family who does. 3/10

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Shiny Toy Guns - Le Disko (Mercury) 20/11/2006

T: The NME called this band "New Order fronted by Brigitte Bardot". I think it's more like The Flying Lizards featuring Shampoo and Republica. And all I can say about is is "Meh" to be honest.

N: Shiny Toy Guns are obviously a band with attitude, and to my mind refreshingly so. Musically they possess an aggressive attack that is matched by Carah's vocal leaning towards Perry Farrell. Ok they may be a band whose stardom is only short lived, but enjoy these for what they are - a fast ride whose explosive force will astonish.

T: Meh. 7/10

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Rose Kemp - Violence EP (One Little Indian) 20/11//2006

T: I'm sure she's heard it about six million times, but I did a double take when I first saw this, as, like no doubt practically everyone does, I thought it was a certain former Eastenders actor. Thankfully she sounds nothing like her namesake and actually makes a damn good fist of crafting an intricate tune that, cleverly, sounds like a ticking clock while she is actually singing about one, and then explodes into a furious, crackling fireball. I see from the press release that Rose says she has "no boundaries". Hmmm...I must have another go at getting the missus to agree to a threesome...

N: And I bet she strikes as many glances as she walks down the street. But void of the shaved head and buff pecs, Rose can certainly rock as much as she can compose a fine song. Evocative and atmospheric, I'm sure we'll have a great album to look forward to. 8/10

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Underdog - Sunny Estate EP (Criminal) 13/11/2006

T: A promising start gives way to a vocal that sounds rather like that of Geneva. If you remember that band, you'll also recall that, while they had some half decent tunes, they lacked the necessary bite to really progress any further than the odd number 31 single here and there and I don't see a great deal of difference here. It's a very "full" production - perhaps a little overdone - and there's no doubting the band can play but there's just something missing.

N: The oven's been left on and the bread's overbaked. Listening to the EP, and hearing the remixed final track second, I think this band's future may lie in the hands of their remixer, but I'm not sure if this is them. 5/10

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Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Cold And Wet (Domino) 13/11/2006

T: This, for me, was one of the highlights of William's excellent recent album "The Letting Go", whereupon the self proclaimed royal takes on the guise of the late Elliott Smith for an ever so slightly skewed slice of freak folk. Bizarre choice for a single but what the hell, I think it's a marvellously understated track.

N: Described quite perfectly, but I think something should be said about the imagery that the artist paints with his lyrics in this number. These are quite vivid and I quote "...and introduce to every soul a drink made of tears". This just knocks me out. 9/10

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iForward, Russia! - Nineteen (Dance To The Radio) 13/06/2006

T: Somewhat darker than the band's usual output, and as a result it sounds something like Killing Joke sharing headstone hamburgers with Joy Division. Having said that it sounds like they're having a good time anyway. In fact, the whole thing is reminiscent of "Heaven Up Here" era Bunnymen, as well as a U2 from the same timestamp. A virtual Billy Mackenzie turns up with David Byrne for the remix of "Thirteen" and consequently things are quirked up somewhat. They're definitely one of the more interesting bands doing the circuits these days, there's no doubt about that, and they're hard to pigeonhole, which can only be a good thing.

N: Perhaps it might be best described as the Joy Division Christmas Party. Curtis has taken half an "E", and Hooky is swinging his bass with intent. Darker, but holding the hope that the best from this band is still yet to come. 8/10

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Gnarls Barkley - Who Cares/Gone Daddy Gone (Warner Bros) 06/11/2006

T: After a chartbusting corker of a hit with the sublime "Crazy" and the imminently likeable follow up "Smiley Faces", Gnarls Barkley looked to be on the verge of something special, and I was quite fond of them, but it always concerns me when a band decides to cover something from one of my all time favourite albums, and that's what they've done here - this time it's Violent Femmes who get a makeover, and while it's not a bad version, if I'm being totally fair, it still makes me grind my teeth and demand to hear the proper, original version. "Who Cares" is a more soulful number and is nice enough in a dreamy way, apart from the irritating spoken repetition of the title. All in all, not too shabby but WAY down the line from their previous two singles.

N: Another slice of soulful melancholy from Gnarls Barkley, rich in bass and musical accompaniment. It's disappointing that rather than leaving with a flamboyant statement, this just fizzles out like a bum firecracker. 6/10

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Brakes - Hold Me In The River (Rough Trade) 06/11/2006

T: Anticipation abounds. "Give Blood" was by FAR my favourite album of 2005, and has been hammered to death in both car and living room alike. As a result, it's one of those twitchy feelings I'm getting as I'm hoping I'm not going to feel let down. Happily, after hearing the single, I can say it's another top tune, beautifully brief with an interesting guitar loop and fascinating lyrics once more. I'm also delighted that they've bravely chosen to go somewhere different with their sound, at least where production is concerned anyway. Wonderful stuff. Again.

N: Our faith has been reinstated on playing this new number from Brakes. A band showing all just how it should be done. This song displays an energetic canvas with lyrics with open flashes of colour, and showing great promise for the group's forthcoming second album release. 9/10

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SixNationState - Fire (Jeepster Recordings Ltd) 06/11/2006

T: This possibly sounds much better right now because we've just had to listen to Fatboy Slim's new monstrosity, but this does hold "blink and you'll miss it appeal". The main track is reminiscent of the 22-20s and does its job well enough, albeit in about 48 seconds, or so it seemed, but it was the second song, "Taking Me Over" that really grabbed me with its unashamed punk sensibilities and then the rather more gentle Americana of "Country Song" brings things to a close nicely. File under "Watch closely".

N: I agree. This single made an entrance that held promise of a third, fourth or fifth coming of punk, but venture further into the song and I found it fell a little flat. The vocalist just seems to fail to evoke the power, menace and emotion I was hoping for. It was certainly the later tracks that seemed to hold more promise. A rocking band that it is evident DO have a bright future. Just not yet. 7/10

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Fatboy Slim - Champion Sound (PutLabel Here) 06/11/2006

T: Old Norm is something of enigma isn't he? On the one hand he's put out some of the best singles of the past ten years, "Weapon Of Choice" being my particular tipple, but then on the other, he's also released some painfully embarrassing chunks of horse shit. This is a case in point, sounding very much like East 17 covering "Spice Up Your Life". The single features the vocal talents of Sharon Woolf, who was last heard on Shanks & Bigfoot's "Sweet Like Chocolate" smash. Which still wasn't as bad as this.

N: A synth led number, heavy on beats, although lacking in content. The familiar Fatboy Slim beat does make the occasional appearance, but this could otherwise have been produced by any number of acts. Essentially, what Tone said. 2/10

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Mr Hudson and the Library - Bread & Roses (Mercury) 16/10/2006

T: Although I missed these at this year's Summer Sundae event here in Leicester, it seems that they would have been a worthy proposition, if not a particularly exciting one. Their relatively bright poppy sound would, I imagine have won over a fair few punters that day. A "nice" sounding single rather than anything else; it's a pity the vastly superior "Ballad of J Dillon" wasn't used as the spearhead, sounding like a modern version of The Police, but without the bollock squeezingly high vocals.

N: A stripped down musical composition coupled with a weighty lyric I found this made this grow in my estimation. It's almost as ifthe number possessed an addictive quality. The band have presented on this 4 track CD not just endless reworkings of the same song (of this there was one) but a further two original compositions. Restrained, although at the same time compelling. Musically solid, and lyrically inventive. 6/10

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