STEREOPHONICS -
LANGUAGE SEX VIOLENCE OTHER
new album 14 March DAKOTA new single out 28 February

The pressure's on - an undoubtedly popular band but big headed member has been despatched, get it right it's a fourth straight Number One Album, get it wrong and the fans are left behind.
I've always had a soft spot for Kelly even though he never gave me the lyric sheet for A Thousand Trees he promised he would. He doesn't say much but every word is measured and has maximum impact. A former Market Trader, he is an astute businessman and this record even before you put it on is obviously special.
A lot of thought must have gone into the unique construction of this album, it's title taken from DVD and film classification, only one word song titles are used, the sleeve artistry by Graham Routhwaite is superb, the completely overhauled website is fascinating.

'Dakota' the first single out on Feb 28, is this album's 'Have A Nice Day' and could be the band's first No.1 single.
The Album opener 'Superman' (the first song written for this album), has another sound effect-ual intro, an appetizer to open and then the power riffs begin.
If Kelly were to be reincarnate, he'd probably come back as AC/DC. And there lies the conundrum, are these songs to hard for the pop audience and too soft for the rock audience? I don't know, time will tell.
It could be Kelly has reached perfection. All the songs are again well written and sung in the best 'Rod Stewart' vocal rock 'stylee' and there are some very powerful riffs. Very often the test of a song, a true classic is whether you grow to love it more or dispense with it - these songs are definate grower's because the melodies are so strong. Try Deadhead or Lolita.
And I can't wait to see Kelly Jones being interviewed on Cable TV, surely it's gonna happen one day! XXXX www.stereophonics.com

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE -
LITTLE SISTER new single out 14 March

No One Knows was such a massive hit, cutting accross various audiences, it pretty well guarantees massive success for the follw up album 'Lullabies To Paralyse' out on 21 March. Little Sister is the first single from the album and it's fast and furious, pulling in at 2'47". This is designed to stomp, Top 5 I'd say! XXXx www.qotsa.com

OCEAN'S TWELVE - SOUNDTRACK
new album 31 January

Not a hit or a song on the album, but if you fancy a little soft and interesting 'wallpaper' music now and again this might do your trick. The sequel to Ocean's Eleven features a great cast, a little humour and a specific soundtrack by David Homes. In fact some great atmospheric pre-gig music. However, it's just what we DJ's like - some great new incidental music to talkover. 'Yen On A Carousel' with it's Taxman/Start, Beatles/Jam feel in particular. This is joining Jim Noir in my music bed's section right away! XXx www.oceans12.warnerbros.com

LOUIS XIV - ILLEGAL TENDER EP
new single 7 March

Zane Lowe's turned on by these San Diego's guys - playing the frenetic 'Finding Out True Love Is Blind' and sampling 'Paper Doll' to create a music bed! You may have seen them support the Killers in 04, this year they'll be at SXSW in March with Hot Hot Heat, Futureheads and The Doves. This is rude stuff, and unusual too - a very edgy stripped sound which could go further especially as they've got sex on their side! XXXx www.louisxiv.net

SYSTEM OF A DOWN - CIGARO
taster from new album MESMERIZE 18 April

Storming stuff from the greatly loved and requested System Of A Down, same quality as Chop Suey and Toxicity etc, if not better! Stark and aggresive, perhaps a little more mainstream than Slipknot, but equally challenging. This new song Cigaro is not due for single release although it will sit happily with their definitive song Chop Suey. Link to their yet to be updated website, that's how new this promo is! XXXX www.systemofadown.com

OPEN HAND - TOUGH GIRL
new single 7 March

This is a fine single from one of Hollywood CA's finest underground bands. Tough Girl is being championed right now by one of my favourite radio stations KROQ Passadena. Open Hand do sound a little different although very at home with Foo Fighters, Queens and Soulwax, hard rock and worth watching out for! XXXX www.openhandrocks.com

DEATH IN VEGAS - MILK IT BEST OF
new album 7 February

This is a great new aquisition for Vegas fans, there's almost too many tracks to take in. My fave is probably Scorpio Rising The Polyphonic Spree remix, the spooked and immensely frightening Aisha mixed by Trevor Jackson, the there's Paul Weller's vocal appearance on So You Say You Lost Your Baby, or how about Hands Around My Throat, Dirge, Dirt and Dirt the Mullet Mix all available and fresh for 2005! Very underrated XXXX www.continorooms.com

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE - I'M NOT OKAY (I PROMISE)
new single 28 February

Loads of requests for this already. Awesome big sound, My Chemical Romance new album 'Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge' has Gold status in the US and this catchy power pop / punk song is well worth a re-release and should go Top Ten!. XXXX www.mychemicalromance.com

AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD - WORLD'S APART
new album 24 January

What's in a name eh? And how important is timing? Can't shelve the whole album and tour but I would guess they had a few soul-searching moments. There are some unique moments on this record and the title track 'Worlds Apart' sets the tone with it's "What's the future of rock & roll, I don't know does it matter?" and "with their cars and cribs and rings and shit is that what being a celebrity means?". Biting, discontented, challenging lyrics - this is an unyielding seamless testament of a band, a high and mighty concept and a great new album. XXXXx www.trailofdead.org

THE KILLS - THE GOOD ONES
new single 7 February

The Kills played for us in 2003 and were talked about for weeks after - I still get requests for Pull A 4 U and F**k The People. The Good Ones is the first taste of their second album, picture late 70's New York, Disco excess and punk at a creative high. Dirty guitar with a Bontempi style beatbox, and a stronger more commercially minded song and production means this is far more likely to hit the Top Ten. XXXX www.thekills.tv

LUDOVICO - PANIC ATTACK
new single 28 February

Glasgow foursome Ludovico release their first record for El Presidente's One Records and this is powerful stuff. Reminiscent of Franz's Matinee and perhaps a little heavier this is a catchy powerful tune which should receive strong support from Radio One and the Indie sector and could well make the Top 40. XXX www.ludovico.co.uk

KAISER CHIEFS - OH MY GOD
new single 21 February

I Predict A Riot fills the dancefloor and that's a great sign for this re-recording of their first single, "Oh my God I can't believe it I've never been this far away from home". You can expect this to do much better second time around, there's something of a special dirtiness to their sound and the production on this version is smoother, just as you'd expect from Stephen Street of Morrissey fame. Limited signed 7" and two CD's will be unleashed - Top Twenty maybe? XXXx www.kaiserchiefs.co.uk

FATBOY SLIM - THE JOKER
new single 28 February

Hmm Fatboy does Steve Miller, interesting and surprisingly cool. The legend, Bootsy Collins helps out and remixes by Kid Carpet (nice one son), Lazyboy, Yousef, Justin Robertson and ATFC together with a video by John Watts featuring hundreds of kittens in a 'passage of rights tale' ??? Good stuff! XXXX www.fatboyslim.net

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. They're playing at Cardiff Barfly on Saturday 19th February XXXX www.deltasonic.co.uk

PLANT LIFE -
THE RETURN OF JACK SPLASH
new album out now

These guys know how to mix and mash, this is supremely funky while also being edgy and unpredictable. Great for the dancefloor and great for the lounge - The Black Eyed Peas plus, and more made up names - Panda One (not from Z-Cars), Dena Deadly, Rashida and of course Jack Splash himself! XXXx www.plantlifeworldwide.com www.plant-life.net

HAYSEED DIXIE -
LET THERE BE ROCKGRASS
new album out now

This has to be heard to be believed, and I think old Hayseed is serious. AC/DC, The Darkness, Motorhead, Run DMC, Bad Company, Queen and The J. Geils Band all get the finger lickin' chicken pickin treatment here! And it's surprisingly listenable, Ace Of Spades, had the honour of an Acid Jazz cover being made by Corduroy some year's back, now here's the Country version! Some light relief XXXx www.hayseed-dixie.com

FIERCE GIRL - WHAT MAKES A FIERCE GIRL new single 31 January

Uh Oh, tese guys Scott and Greg could be Chas N Dave for the naughties. Distinctly un-horny, this is the follow-up to 'Double Drop', which was an NME single of the week, like Silibil this is a bit of a novelty chune - it could catch on like Streets 'Fit & You Know It', but I think there's probably room for only one of those, still stranger things have happened. XX www.fiercegirl.co.uk

HANSON - PENNY & ME
new single 24 January

No.10 with the comeback record, but watch out the Hanson boys and their Dad have got big competition from Busted Charlie Simpson. I wonder what motivates them? XX www.hanson.net