Friday 24 December 2004
Here's some interesting stuff to look out for in the New Year. In January 2005 the 1000th UK No.1 Single is expected and the race is on - Elvis Presley will make a record by releasing 18 No.1's in 18 weeks, one of them could become the 1000th UK No.1. There's some tough competition though, great new singles from the likes of Kasabian, Kings Of Leon, Mercury Rev and Xzibit lead the charge and those imperial wizards Iron Maiden are trying their Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter new year's Number One trick again! Here's some of 2004 faves
FUTURE'S BURNING
compilation album released 17 January This is a quite exceptional compilation of the best of theindie alternartive hits of the past twelve months. From GLC to Ordinary Boys, The Others, Razorlight, Franz Ferdinand, Zutons and Futureheads.
You may have some or all of these but it's well worth a dip into the pocket to get them all on one CD. XXXXXwww.nuderecords.com
IRON MAIDEN - THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST re-released single 3 January
This is a hit, I know that because it was No. 18 in June 1982. Now out as a single again on 3rd January and I'm surprised because it seems to be a week late. If they repeated the release date of Bring Your Daughter ie as close to Boxing Day as possible who knows this may end up Number 1. Now that would be bizarre The Maiden getting the one thousandth chart-topper - it's a long way from Al Martino. And in it's own way quite brilliant! XXXXwww.ironmaiden.com
KASABIAN - CUTT OFF new single 3 January
Processed Beats is one of my favourite tunes of the year - a really cool, thumper of a bass riff and this picks up where that left off - an excellent single and with record sales low as they are come new year, maybe this will claim the title of the UK's 1000th Number One. Al Martino where are you now? XXXXx www.kasabian.co.uk
ADAM GREEN - GEMSTONES new album 24 January
We managed to get The Moldy Peaches to play at Cardiff Barfly a couple of years back. Now freed from band constraints, Adam Green is developing a quite accessible mainstream bizarre sound and lyrical content or 'cock eyed wit!'. Jessica was an intriguing, beguiling single from earlier this year and judging by the five tracks on this sampler it's quite easy to imagine Adam in the upper reaches of the pop chart. Emily is another Jessica-esque not what it appears to be, and the whole thing is precisely that - not what it appears to be. Brilliant XXXX www.adamgreen.net
KINGS OF LEON - FOUR KICKS
new single 10 January
People really love this band, as soon as Molly or Red Morning Light comes on .. Bingo! There is something of a unique quality to their sound, can't really place what it is they do differently but it's quite striking. Four Kicks is another fine single destined hopefully for the Top Ten or maybe the Top Five. Their entire December UK Tour has sold out, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Bristol, Nottingham, Glasgow, Cambridge, Poole and three nights at Brixton Academy. Just a year or so back we were knocked out when they played a great show at Cardiff Barfly XXXXX www.kingsofleon.com
THE LITTLE FLAMES - GOODBYE LITTLE ROSE new single 31 January
This is a fine debut from this Liverpool five piece, mainstream's not so far away with a little trick ending rounding up at 2 mins. and possibly heading for the Top Ten. XXXXwww.deltasonic.co.uk
MUDVAYNE - DETERMINED promo only
Lost and Found, the third studio album from Mudvayne is scheduled for release at the end of March 2005 - they've already achieved sales of 2million CD's and DVD's around the world, 45,000 in the UK andf this is ... heavy. Think Slipknot and you'll get the idea - an aquired taste or addiction that could be No.1 just like the Knotties!!! XXX www.mudvayne.com
SILIBIL 'n' BRAINS - LOSERS release tbc
MTV faves and hits on the US Van Warp Tour. No UK release scheduled yet as SnB are hoping to get some UK pilot shows sorted first. This is kind of taking the mickey out of Eminem if that's possible, put it this way it may make Michael Jackson smile and that would be 'Dangerous'. Novelty hit maybe? XX www.silibilnbrains.com
SECRET MACHINES - SAD & LONELY
new single 27 December
On tour in December at The Scala, London, Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester and Nottingham - Nowhere has proved to be one of the enduring tracks of 2004 and that bodes well for this American trio. Sad & Lonely is a medium paced rocker which with a December 27 release date could see them in the Top Twenty in January. XXXx www.secretmachines.com
THE USED - TAKE IT AWAY new single 24 January
On UK tour in January - Manchester, London, Sheffield, Glasgow, Newcastle, B'ham, Notts and Kaardiff, this is a storming taster for their current album 'In Love & Death' a current US Top Ten album. Top Twenty single XXXx www.theused.net
MERCURY REV - IN A FUNNY WAY
new single 17 January
Quaintly eccentric, this again could be a surprisingly large hit in early 2005. Secret For A Song, the recent download only single is another reason to expect their new and long awaited album ' The Secret Migration' out on 24 January could be their breakthrough album !! XXXx www.mercuryrev.com
