Flava Past |
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New CD's Below - All American Rejects, Bell X1, The Feeling, The Like, My Architects, Jim Noir, Orson, Panic At The Disco, Queens Of The Stone Age & Peaches, Simple Plan, The Strokes, The Academy Is, Tahiti 80 |
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The Strokes - Heart In A Cage new single 13 March The Strokes timing has been perfect first with the comeback single 'Juicebox' and then with the album 'First Impressions Of Earth', first week of January release = Number One Album. Juicebox for me is the best track they've recorded and I was frankly amazed at it's mixed dancefloor reaction, so with the follow-up, which is rather ordinary by comparison I would be surprised to see it better the placing of Juicebox. Heart In A Cage comes in two mixes the album track "f**k around" version and the cleaned-up radio mix, even with their edginess blunted it's easy to hear where Franz Ferdinand came from. XXXx www.thestrokes.com (Posted 30 January) |
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Simple Plan - Crazy new single 20 February Simple Plan's new single 'Crazy' is the stand out track on their album 'Still Not Getting Any ...' and comes in three superb versions - the album track, the live recording and the accosutic version. The supremely crafted lyrics come over best with the accoustic accompaniment 'Is everybody gone Crazy?'. Six shows to hoist the single into the charts start at London Astoria on Saturday 11 February, then Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow. XXXX www.simpleplan.com (Posted 28 January) |
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Panic At The Disco - A Fever You Can't Sweat Out album 13 Feb I Write Sins Not Tragedies new single 27 Feb Panic At The Disco hail from Las Vegas, and there is a certain dramatic quality to 'I Write Sins'. A quality listen : great intro, off-beat - powerful up-tempo storytelling. See them at London's Earls Court on Sat 29th April and Manchester MEN Arena on the 30th. XXX www.panicatthedisco.com (Posted 1 February) |
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The Academy Is - Almost Here new album 6 February Chicago band The Academy Is (TAI) are currently touring the supporting the release of their debut album 'Almost Here'. Taster 'Slow Down' Produced by James Paul Weisner (Dashboard Confessional) makes for an interesting assault on the ears, great lyrics. XXX www.theacademyis.com (Posted 1 February) |
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Jim Noir - Key Of C new single 20 February Jim Noir seems to delight in an almost nursery rhyme like approach to his music, and it is supremely refreshing to hear. 'Key Of C' entres with a bouncy bass line and an almost Magic Roundabout like keyboard line "Oh little C what you doing to me? When will we fall apart, Oh little C I just want you to leave, you make me so predictable ... I want to be in the key of C". If Steve Wright In The Afternoon picks up on Jim Noir, he'll be made! XXXx www.jimnoir.com (Posted 30 January) |
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Tahiti 80 - Big Day new single 13 March French foursome Tahiti 80 release a funky little number here, 'Big Day' has a tantalizing drum track and bassline and is a damn catchy song. Remixes are provided by Whomadewho and Booka Shade engineered and mixed by Neale Pogue (of Outkast fame) and Serban Ghenea (NERD). The original mix is available on their 'Fosbury' album which is out now. File with the good stuff - this should do well. XXXX www.tahiti80.com (Posted 28 January) |
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All American Rejects - Move Along new single 20 February The Oklahoma based All American Rejects are massive on US iTunes right now with their single 'Dirty Little Secret' at No.1. You may have heard them on the first MySpace compilation with the excellent 'Stab My Back'. 'Move Along' is produced by Howard Benson of My Chemical Romance, POD and Hoobastank fame and will be released as a seven inch and download only. The band are in the UK on an eleven date tour starting at Sheffield Foundry on the 4th Feb then Newcastle, Glasgow, Bristol, Portsmouth, Brum, Manchester, Nottingham, Norwich and winding up at London Shepherds Bush Empire on 18 Feb. XXXx www.allamericanrejects.com (Posted 28 January) |
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Orson - No Tomorrow new single 27 February From Hollywood, California here come Orson with what singer/guitarist Jason Pebworth describes as two guitar power pop! When 'No Tomorrow' was released in the US it became the most downloaded iTunes single of the week in Apple's history. According to the PR here Radio One have lauded this as the missing link between The Rolling Stones and The Scissor Sisters ... and it's not bad. Orson have taken their name from the legendary actor Orson Welles whom they admired for being a rebel 'who made a lot of enemies yet his art stood the test of time'. Orson are in the UK to promote this single with 13 dates starting on Feb 14 at London 100 Club. XXXx www.orsonband.com (Posted 28 January) |
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The Feeling - Sewn new single 27 February Sewn is The Feeling's follow-up to their limited release 'Fil My Little World' which made Jo Whiley quiver so much she awarded it Jo Whiley record of the week status. She will probably do the same with this excellent single which has a 'funky' groove and a superb vocal. See The Feeling on tour during February and March - they play Cardiff Barfly on St. David's Day ie 1st March. XXXX www.thefeeling.com (Posted 28 January) |
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The Like - June Gloom new single 6 March Last November I was one of about thirty who turned up to see Los Angeles Hollywood gals The Like testing their material on the UK for the first time, and one of the stand-out tracks that night gets a big push as the band's first single. 'June Gloom' has a kicking drum intro and a stocky melody produced by Wendy Melvoin an original member of Prince's Revolution. Their debut album could raise a few eyebrows 'Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking' is released a week after the single on March 13, probably not inspired by the Tories doomed general election campaign slogan but inspired stuff nevertheless. XXXx www.ilikethelike.com (Posted 28 January) |
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Queens Of The Stone Age - Burn The Witch / Broken Box (Fixed The Box remix by Peaches) from the 'Burn The Witch' 7" Nasty Peaches and Nasty QOTSA, what a combination - this is both funky and edgy, and hey yeah with it's 'Pussy' sample creamy - and I love it! Peaches re-mix production gives Broken Box some edgy/trebly guitar and the song still bites through, but here with a funky backbeat. It should have been a double A-side. XXXXx www.qotsa.com (Posted 30 January) |
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Bell X1 - Flame new single 6 March Westlife eat yer arts out, BellX1 are coming ... maybe. 'Flame 'went straight to Number One in Ireland on it's release last October and it is a strong song with a funky-ish bassline. It's the first single to be taken from their second album 'Flock'. BellX1's first album Music In Mouth' included the big Irish hit singles 'Tongue' and 'Eve', the follow-up album draws on inspiraion from Talking Heads, Radiohead and Supergrass ... there is something that reminds me rather of The Climax Blues Band here as well, you never know - this maybe lift off time. XXx www.bellx1.com (Posted 30 January) |
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My Architects - Grand Designs mini album released 23 January hmmmmmm interesting accoustic based songwriting reminiscent of Coldplay meets Radiohead characterized with strong vocals and melodies and superb arragement & production. That's quite a combination and this sample kicks off with 'Airborne' and immediately grabs your attention as what will I am sure make a fine single. My Architects are signed to Fierce Panda, and are supporting Gledhill on the Barfly leg of their tour winding up at Camden Barfly on Friday 3rd Feb. Talented and intriguing ..... XXXx www.myspace.com/architectsmusic (Posted 30 January) |