Look, we're all busy people and I know that you are dying to know what poptastique gems are on offer this week so that you can rush down to WH Smith and spend your book tokens on spangles and trashy music. There's a lot to get through this week so I'll detain you no longer...

LDZ: The Puppa Murc EP
A taster for the debut album and it really isn’t for the faint hearted. Thundering sub-bass provides a platform for some ‘gor blimey’ grime patois on Wave 2 da Floor while true story Bitch offers Dabbla the opportunity to indulge in some dub-step character assassination. Doesn’t really do it for me but lets give them some kudos for sampling the classic Sinbad movie on Go This Way. (SB)

Girls: Lust For Life
Girls are a resolutely lo-fi duo from San Francisco and this brief snippet culled from their forthcoming and highly eclectic album is a woozy, jangling song about being fucked in the head crazy. It is a little like listening to Elvis Costello being played on a faulty wind-up gramaphone but, like a pack of haribo starmix, is adorably addictive. (SB)

Decide for yourselves here:


Wall Street Riots: One More Ride
The inclusion of a remix from Lost Prophet Ian Watkins suggests that this could be a bit doomy and serious, but this is more early Duran Duran than nu metal, underpinned as it is by a pounding disco beat. Bizarrely enough the remix turns out to be a bit of a full on rave anthem. Great fun. (SB)



Cosmo Jarvis: She’s Got You
A ukulele driven pop nugget which dispenses advice to a friend who’s wrapped around the little finger of his woman. The spiteful words about a girl who will eat your soul create a nice tension when butted up against the cheery pan-pipe solo. Think a less flamboyant Kid Creole & The Coconuts and you are on the right lines. (SB)

Fake Problems: Diamond Rings
An odd, yet effective, combination of Orange Juice guitar funk and filthy, sprawling Alabama 3 americana. Definitely worth keeping an eye out for when they tour with Frank Turner next month. (SB)



David Gray – Fugitive
If it ain't broke, don't fix it seems to be order of the day here with David Gray's latest single - while it is bound to appeal to long-term fans, it isn't going to change any minds amongst those that don't get it. Piano heavy backing works well with Gray's voice and the gospel sound does add another layer of depth. (CP)

Beverley Knight – Beautiful Night
The UK's answer to Beyonce returns with the first single off her new album - and while she doesn't have the power behind her voice that her US contemporaries might, she still manages to put together a nice, synth-driven, track that ticks all of the boxes, but sadly fails to find a hook. (CP)

Dawn Landes – Romeo
Kentucky born, Dawn Landes, will be an instant hit with fans of Lenka and Lisa Mitchell - with a very similar sound and strong lyrics, Romeo is a great little indie-pop track from her third album and she might be releasing it at just the right time. A very catchy tune and angelic voice create a perfect harmony. (CP)

Colbie Caillat – Fallin' For You
Nice, catchy, well-produced pop from constantly smiley Colbie - there really isn't much more to say.(CP)



Carolina Liar – I'm Not Over
From the opening raw chords building throughout to the final crescendo, Carolina Liar's latest is the perfect example of their anthemic sound. With great talent in both lead singer Chad Wolfe and songwriter Max Martin, I'm Not Over, is a great if slightly over-produced track that is sure to win the band many more fans. (CP)

Shena – Nasty Little Rumour
Shena's Nasty Little Rumour would have been at home on a 80's disco dancefloor and she knows it. It's not a bad track and I can see remixes appearing in clubs up and down the country, but there's not really much here to make the single stand out from the crowd. She has a good voice, but 'Nu Disco' probably isn't the best use of her talents. (CP)

Twin Atlantic – You're Turning Into John Wayne
The Scot twang in Sam McTrusty's voice is the first thing that hits with Twin Atlantic's second single from their upcoming mini album. Sounding a bit like Idlewild on steroid, with a rough-around-the edges sound, the band are quickly building a following and this track could see them make their first break into the mainstream. One to watch. (CP)

Bananarama –Love Comes
With more and more bands joining on the reunion bandwagon, the latter half of the Noughties is sounding more and more like a decade best forgotten. Unfortunately, Bananarama have failed to recapture any of their past glory with this lukewarm track that appears to embody everything that is disappointing with their upcoming album.(CP)

Muse – The Uprising
A dark electronic storm that rolls along on a machine-like bassline, with Matt Bellamy’s epical vocals, before exploding into silence and that all so important larger than life guitar solo. A healthy helping of tasty Muse goodness. [S.R.]

Liam Frost – Held Tightly in Your Fist
Shimmers of xylophone, ripples of piano and incredible lyrics lovingly delivered in Frost’s rough cut vocals, evoke cloudy nostalgia and uplifting joy. Music played straight from the heart. It’s a beauty. [S.R.]

Dub Pistols (feat. Lindy Layton & Rodney P) – I'm In Love
Imagine 'Last Christmas' being released in June and you have an idea of the faux pas being committed by Sunday Best in sticking a light ska-pop tune out just as the closed sign goes up on summer. You may remember Lindy Layton as singer with Beats International and, while this is, admittedly, a shadow of 'Dub Be Good To Me', it would sound rather jolly in the sun. (JD)

Catraz – Knock Knock
God, this is annoying. Catraz talks over a bouncy backing track (think Just Jack at his worst rather than Mike Skinner) while a rave siren goes off every five seconds. Ladies, be extra afraid - he wants to rub up to your derriere. (JD)

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – The Golden Age
The blatant brass steal from 'Gangster Trippin'' is the best thing about this track, while singer Mette Pederson's "utterly unique" vocal is an endurance. She sounds like a nine year old who's scoffed too many smarties. Simon Cowell, I suspect, would be having none of it. (JD)

Inme – Single of the Weak
If you include the line,“What’s that shit on the radio?” in a song then you have to be pretty confident. Sadly, this UK-bred “alternative rock” track, despite featuring some guitar work that will remind older listeners of classic Manics, is wholly ordinary. (JD)

Metronomy – Not Made For Love EP
Understated and affecting synth-pop gem. Backed up by what could be the week's best remix package, most of them successful in adding a bit of dancefloor punch and covering everything from slow groove to drum 'n' bass. (JD)



Mika – We Are Golden
Ooh Mika. You've done it again! This is huge, catchy, camp, festival fun pop with a vintage sound that reminds me of many of the best pop hits of the 80s (the similarity to 'Heaven is a Place on Earth' is uncanny at times). Ridiculously cheesy and thoroughly entertaining – it’s Mika all over. [S.R.]

The Big Pink – Dominoes
A well executed and engineered mix of catchy crunchy beats, distorted indie guitar and a minimalist melody with hollow boyish vocals. A big, punchy, mainstream sound, but after a few listens it’s starting to get on my nerves, maybe due to said lack of variation in the tune. It might grow on me? [S.R.]

Florence & The Machine – Drumming Song
The sticky label on this CD reads "Contains 20% more drumming than other leading media dahlings", wow! But like a lot of Florence's songs, which are showcases for her excellent vocal range but lack in musical finesse, drumming song isn't really anything to get excited about. There are better songs on the album, making this an odd choice of single. (AM)

Chickenhawk – A. Or Not?
There seems to be a groundswell of excellent UK metal acts at the moment, could we be in the New-New-Wave-Of-British-Heavy-Metal? This superb three track EP from Leeds based metal-mentalists is another excellent release following up on last years self titled album. Vocals twist and yelp like Mike Patton slamming his hand in a car door; guitars shred and drums pound mercilessly. Lovely stuff. (AM)



Pearl Jam – The Fixer
Pearl Jam return to form with the lead single from their upcoming album 'Backspacer'. 'The Fixer' clocks in at just under three minutes and incorporates elements of new wave with pop. It is a simple pop song, catchy and melodic, full of optimism, something not heard since 1998's 'Yield' Album. 'The Fixer' will never reach the height of songs from the 'Ten'/'Vs' era, but then again not many bands are able to match the Pearl Jam even now and it seems, that after almost twenty years the band is enjoying themselves more than ever. A noteworthy mention as well must go to Dan Perkins for his cartoon like artwork to this single, which is his attempt at 'dreams and memories', truly wonderful, yet bizarre. (KW)

Placebo – The Never Ending-Why
The second single from 'Battle For The Sun'. trademark Brain Molko vocals? check. catchy/hooky chorus? check. brass section?? check. Another fine single which helps Placebo to continue their resurgence. (KW)

The Boxer Rebellion – Semi-Automatic/Flashing Red Light Means Go
A glorious double A-side from the currently unsigned Boxer Rebellion lifts your spirits as Nathan sings like an angel on Red Light whilst Semi-Automatic is a more restrained and melancholy affair bringing you gently back down to earth. Two sides of the same band, both brilliant. (AM)

Now there was some debate over this week's Music Fix Single of the Week, with Liam Frost being heavily backed in some quarters. Don't these fools realise that this is no democracy! So, sorry Liam, but the Totalitarian Dictatorship Single of the Week goes to:



Alex Roots: Don’t Stop Looking
This is like the greatest Eurovision song you could ever imagine. It is huge fun, bounces all over the place like a chimp on a trampoline and features a Brian May pastiche guitar solo. Lena Lovich meets Tight Fit. Utter genius which deserves to be number one for a month. (SB)

See for yourselves:

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