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Singles Bar: July 2008


We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.

MELEE Built To Last (Warner Bros)

Orange County quartet Melee have produced one of this summer's finest sounding singles, starting with a simple piano motif and then grabbing you with a glorious chorus and pumping rhythm. Taken from their second album and debut UK release 'Devils & Angels'.

The band formed in 2003 and are cast in the Rascal Flatts school of boy-band-meets-actually-quite-good and 'Built To Last' might be a more profound statement than we think. *****

Review by David Randall

THE RUSHES What Are You Waiting For (Island)

Not a million miles from Melee and with a vibe that again links them to the Rascal Flatts and Garth Brooks brand of country meets rock. Guitar driven, and a great chorus, this is another excellent summer single that sounds great on the radio. And, bizarrely - delivered via London and Leeds, not Nashville. ****½

Review by David Randall

EXTREME Star (three track sampler) Frontiers (2008)

Blimey here's a band I never thought would record again as it has been 13 years since their last album 'Waiting For The Punchline', which was pretty average compared to the band's previous three albums. But they are back with three original members vocalist Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and bassist Pat Badger.

Two songs (one with two versions) on this promo of the forthcoming album 'Saudades de Rock'. Both have a hint of Queen about them especially the hard rock of 'Star' with its harmony vocals and backing which sounds like Queen's 'Let Me Entertain You'. Great song and the other song on here, 'Ghosts' again sees the band utilise their harmony vocals, with some neat guitar and a bit of pomp rock thrown in for good measure! This song is here as a radio edit and full album version.

Judging by these two songs the new album should see the band back on form and hopefully there will be some more funk fuelled songs as well as the band are so good at these. Extreme are back and its time to celebrate! *****

Review by Jason Ritchie

PETE DU PON Basket Case
(WMD Music )

What a radical and superb re-working of the Green Day song. Bar the lyrics you'd be hard pushed to know it was a Green Day song. Sparse musical backing and the haunting vocals of Pete Du Pon make for a surprising and satisfying cover - even Green Day approve! Worth downloading/buying that's for sure. ****½

Review by Jason Ritchie

LES VALENTINE Nervous

Nice acoustic four piece who put melody and harmonies to the fore and this makes for a damn fine tune. Lovely vocals and just enough instrumenatation to keep the vocals as the main focus of the listener's attention. Like the Feeling meets Simon & Garfunkel - more please! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

TREMORS World Won't Stop

Debut single by the band who have already played the O2 Arena, albeit for a Scouting celebration event! It's a catchy little number and reminds you of the poppier side of the Cure. Given some exposure this could do well and be interesting to hear some more by the band. ***½

Review by Jason Ritchie

SEVERE ZERO Silence The Radio

It's another pop punk band - oh no! Actually this one aren't too bad although the vocalist does try to sound too aggressive at times and doesn't quite pull it off. John Lyndon he ain't. Good solid riff and the fats tempo you'd expect - great to hear on the radio but not something you'd want to play over and over. ***

Review by Jason Ritchie

THE FAFF That's A Nice Glove?

Indie band with a nice backbeat but the song and vocals are too similar other bands in this vein. Like the Artic Monkeys but without the final finishing touch. If you like the aforementioned Artic Monkeys or the Kooks the Faff could well be your band of the month until another one comes along... **½

Review by Jason Ritchie

 


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***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly


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