++SINGLE++ review by Forward Russia
They've sat down, smoked some cigars and fed the fish - but now the hardcore work begins for our guest editors, as they pile over works by Black Francis, Crystal Castles and Elle Milano!
¡FORWARD RUSSIA!'S SINGLE OF THE WEEK: BLACK FRANCIS / THE SEUS (COOKING VINYL)
TOM: It was an interesting combination of influences - some of it sounded like Captain Beefheart, and then there was a bit of hip hop call and response too. I was very surprised by it because I couldn't imagine him doing anything that didn't sound like the Pixies. It sounded like he's just turned up, never played a guitar before, and this was the song he wrote. In a good way.
KATIE: Tom's right - it's not hip hop but it reminded you of it. It's definately a thinker of a tune.
WHISKAS: I liked the way it started - very cool and different. It could have gone on and been really ace - and it didn't go bad - but it went on and stayed the same. Which is fair enough!
"It's not as irritable as The Kooks, but that just means it won't be as successful...."
CRYSTAL CASTLES / COURTSHIP DATING (LAST GANG)
WHISKAS:: I do like this band, but I like my Crystal Castles pumping, and that wasn't quite pumping enough.
ROB: It's quite relaxing, you could put it on while you're reading a book or something.
KATIE: I like the bleeps and the synthy voices... but it seems a bit one tracked. I like things to be more varied.
TOM: I'm not sure about the relationship between the vocals and the bleeps. It sounded to me like they were on different wavelengths.
ELLE MILANO / MEANWHILE IN HOLLYWOOD (BRIGHTON ELECTRIC)
ROB: It had plenty of catchy moments and some unconventional ways of doing things. They produced themselves too, which isn't too band! A good song.
KATIE: It was catchy. I like things with gang vocals. Well, not gang vocals but tuneful gang vocals. It was happy but still indie.
TOM: I didn't like the vocal delivery so much, but I do like the song. The rapping verse caught me off guard. But I did like the song.
THE AUTHOR / DANNIE (WEEKENDER)
KATIE: I don't know if they're aiming for Test Icicles or Arctic Monkeys, but they've ended up somewhere in between. It's dancey and catchy, but not my cup of tea really. Alright?
TOM: I've got a real pet hate for badly integrated synthesizers in rock music, and that was a good example.
ROB: Like Katie, said, it's an Arctic Monkeys style vocal. Not very good.
WHISKAS: I trust that they don't mean it to sound like lots of trendy and hyped stuff... but it kind of does. If they had a good song, I would listen to it, maybe in the car with my girlfriend... at the indie disco... but that song wasn't the one. Maybe next time!
THE SONIC HEARTS / TO BE SOMEONE (EMI)
KATIE: It was wet rubbish in the vein of Scouting For Girls and The Feeling. This was so wet it was soaked. No substance.
TOM: It was pretty terrible. I don't think Guy Hands (EMI boss) would go for it.
WHISKAS: Guy Hands has already gone for it!
TOM: Well maybe he plays it in his car.
ROB: There's not much I can add. It wasn't terrible.
WHISKAS: You... you like it!
ROB: No, I don't... it's a pop song. I've heard better. And worse.
WHISKAS: It's not as irritable as The Kooks, but that just means it won't be as successful. It's not as quality as the last Feeling single. But more importantly, they're signed to EMI so they're probably already fucked - it's a non entity.
IAMX / THE ALTERNATIVE (FICTION)
TOM: There were moments where I thought I'd like it... but I didn't. It was like glam rock with synths, and Gary Numan's already done that I guess! It would have to have a really great tune for me to be into something like this.
ROB: It didn't really go anywhere, I thought it was a bit crap to be honest.
WHISKAS: I didn't think it was half as offensive until I read the press release, which is just horrible. It describes "erotically charged vocals!" The song's ok though, it's like late 90s delivery with Goldfrapp beats.
LETTERS FROM LONDON / LITTLE VAGABONDS (SHOOT LOW THEY'RE RIDING SHETLANDS)
KATIE: I really hope this is a group of 15 year old guys - 'cos if it is I'll be impressed. If not, I'm not impressed! It's very five years ago indie, with unoriginal hooks.
TOM: It was just a poor Libertines rip off. I can't really get on with cheeky chappie music!
ROB: Cheeky Chappie is a good way of describing it. I'm sure there was some kind of social commentry in there... but it had nothing to offer us.
WHISKAS: I really hate bands who sound like this anyway - and I've seen gig after gig after gig of them.
++ Forward Russia ++
Artrocker rating: 3
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