Another ‘not so great’ week for singles and, to be frank, it isn’t surprising is it? It isn’t all that often that one finds oneself agreeing with the sage words of Neil Tennant but, on this occasion, he’s quite correct to lambast the BBC for their gross dereliction of duty in allowing the premature demise of Top of The Pops. By denying bands even the faint hope of appearing on the show, or of becoming the latest one hit wonder, they have all but killed off the raison d’etre of the pop single. As a promotional tool it is largely moribund but yet refuses to die a dignified death and so we at The Music Fix bring you yet another collection of the undead – so beware, lest they sup upon your brains before the night is out.

Spectrum 7: Blue Wray
Ironic that a band named after an early home computer has developed a songwriting technique which involves using a Sony Playstation. It may be an unusual approach to rock n roll but, nonetheless, it works. I believe that we are still describing this form of brow furrowing metal as 'Emo' but this track is underpinned by a solid gold pop soul which results in something akin to early Duran Duran performing the At The Drive In songbook. A very strong debut. (SB)

Speech Debelle - Better Days
Typical of her Mercury Music Prize nominated album, a somewhat dull backing track doesn’t quite do justice to Speech’s impressive talents as a lyricist. Better Days relates the struggle to lead a good, productive life. Tune in and listen closely. (JD)

Thomas Dybdahl ep
Do we need another Norweigan acoustic artist? Occasional nice twangs aside, you’d be as well returning to Magnet or Kings of Convenience. (JD)

Jonathan Jeremiah – What’s a Guy Got to Do ?
JJ, it says here, worked night shifts for seven years to get the cash together to make his debut album. The Roots and James Brown’s band, The JBs, make appearances. Thing is, despite the toil and pedigree, this four track EP has the whiff of pastiche about it. Why put your heart and soul into an endeavour that ultimately sees you sounding, due to such very arch vocal stylings and arrangements, like some Bacharach-obsessed wedding singer ? Bernard Butler is involved, so I should probably reserve judgement but I can see this being popular with people who are amused by wearing t-shirts that have 'The Hoff' written on them. (GK)

MSTRKRFT – Heartbreaker
Beni – Maximus
Two pieces of electro beats that both feature guest vocalists amongst their grooves; John Legend on the former, Sam Sparro on the latter. John Legend. Sam Sparro. I think that says it all, don’t you ?(GK)

Screaming Lights - Volts
The Liverpudlians return with this decent track - guitar heavy MOR rock with a good beat. 'Volts' could be considered a little over-produced given the bands previously raw edge. (CP)

Trip - Who's That
Think The Streets withs a rough guitar backing and you'd not be far wrong with this. The problem is, 'Who's That' is already tired and comes about five years too late to make any sort of impact, the track lacks any draw with Trip himself seems unable to hit the right note when he attempts to sing. (CP)

Of course, in the absence of TOTP, the Music Fix Single Of The Week has become something of a holy grail for those who still believe in the power of the metaphorical 7” single. With a huge weight of expectation upon my puny shoulders I hereby decree that this week’s SOTW is:

Fever Ray – Triangle Walks
New one from Karin Andersson, one half of The Knife. Its pensive, minimal backing and its creator’s blackened delivery make it stand out somewhat from the plethora of electro-dames currently getting us all so worked up. Pleasingly, you get the impression she’s doing it not for a thrill, but because she has to. ‘Triangle Walks’ is cold but bracingly visceral.(GK)

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