New singles, by Jenny Pashkova
GUILLEMOT Kriss Kross 8/10
An irresistable double A-side which sees the band move from lo-fi into glam rock with a touch of Flaming Lips surrealism. Fyfe Dangerfield's voice is bursting with emotion, and it suits them well.
NATALIA Perfect Day 5/10 A supposed R&B anthem, though nothing that Jennifer Lopez or Kelly Rowland haven't done before. Same old, same old.
1/6.
New singles out this week
GRINDERMAN No Pussy Blues Remixes 5/10
Whilst the original is no shrinking violet, with thumping drums and ferocious guitars, a further five remixes were deemed necessary for this "love song". Do we need so many techno versions of this track?
LAGUNA METH Sugar Shack 5/10
Like Darren Hayes singing a psychedelic melody, with tambourines and dreamy keyboards. A little too trippy for its own good.
2/6.
New singles out next week
JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN Holiday 6/10
Another croontastic ballad where Joan flexes her singing muscle in the key of KT Tunstall and Dido with better lyrics. Radio-friendly, safe and mainstream written all over it.
A SILENT FILM Thirteen Times The Strength 7/10
The Oxford four-piece are picking up where Interpol and Editors have left off. A brooding and melancholy monster that hits between the eyes.
3/6.
New singles out next week
ADAM GREEN Twee Twee Dee 8/10
A mellow and groovy offering, more akin to Jens Lekman than his usual crooning. It's addictive, and serves as a reminder that we should not forget Green yet.
INNERPARTYSYSTEM Die Tonight, Live Forever 7/10
If Depeche Mode made techno punk music, then it would sound like this. Their thumping energy is hard to miss, though repetitive.
4/6.
New singles out this week
TREMORS World Won't Stop 6/10
Another London outfit, another foot-shuffling attempt at recreating Kooks albeit with more handclaps and a guitar solo bridge. Catchy enough, though original ideas are lacking.
OH, ATOMS Sugar Mouse 7/10
A gleeful debut featuring too many instruments to count. It's as sweet as candy floss on a sunny day and just in time for the last bit of our belated summer.
5/6.
New singles out next week
LAUREL COLLECTIVE International Love Affair 6/10
Elements of '80s pop presented here with collective twee choruses, keyboards and frenzied drums. However, Mystery Jets have this genre revival covered.
POLLY SCATTERGOOD i Hate The Way 8/10
A darker side of an acoustic pop song that gathers pace. Like a young Tori Amos, armed with a trembling voice and powerful lyrics, you'll believe every word.
6/6.
Teletext page 823; 18th of September, 2008.