Singles Round Up - November 17th

Another week, another batch of singles to be reviewed and abused!

Featuring some ‘80s throwbacks, a forgotten pop princess, a Welsh soul wonder and many more, this week's bunch of 45s is a diverse bunch to say the least. With the pop engine gearing up towards its volcanic eruption at Christmas, let’s enjoy some quality releases while we can. Give it a couple of weeks and the X-Factor winner will no doubt come knocking at your door, bringing out the Ebenezer Scrooge in us all!

It probably won’t, but at least now you can’t blame us

Single Of The Week

Santogold – ‘Say A-Ha’
A recurring question in the Clash office is “Just why is Santogold not massive?” (maybe in the Dundee office – London-based online Ed.) The latest nugget of gold to be mined from the rich pop seam that is Santi White’s larynx, ‘Say A-Ha’ is a gently skanking monster that deserves to shoot high up the charts. It probably won’t, but at least now you can’t blame us for trying. Sure the lyrics aren’t exactly life-changing, but this is wide-eyed, dance-like-a-lunatic fun. Sounding like The Clash given a pop sheen so bright you could see your reflection in it, ‘Say A-Ha’ is a deserved ‘Single Of The Week’.

Also out today...

The Verve – ‘Rather Be’
The second single from their disappointing comeback album ‘Forth’, Ashcroft’s Jagger impersonation is a Xeroxed version of his former majesty. A ‘90s axe hero, Nick McCabe’s guitar lines are limited to a two-second burst in the intro as the frontman features in the video, swaggering aimlessly through the woods. A missed opportunity.

Duffy – ‘Rain On Your Parade’
The Welsh soul sister returns, with strings attached. While ‘Mercy’ was a mid-‘60s styled groover, this time round she’s slapped on the sequins and dug out her Diana Ross LPs. Featuring some groovy orchestral work and a video packed to the gills with bulky chaps in tuxedos this is the James Bond theme that never was. A toe-tappin’ finger-clickin’ hit in the making, but perhaps a little too close to formula for the detractors.

...she’s slapped on the sequins and dug out her Diana Ross LPs

Howling Bells – ‘Into The Chaos’
Raucous Australians return, even more raucous but just as Australian. Howling Bells released a self-titled debut album in 2006, then promptly disappeared leaving behind them a sizeable cult following. An assured performance, this will only serve to add some petroleum to the bonfire of fan worship.

The Killers – ‘Human’
The Las Vegas indie all-stars return, making you an offer you can’t refuse. Even those with concrete galoshes can’t resist dancing to the this track - if you end up swimming with the fishes be prepared to see some deep-sea jiving. Roughly as ‘80s as economic turmoil, trouble in the Middle East and Liverpool being top of the league, The Killers have always been masters of timing.

Mercury Rev – ‘Butterfly’s Wings’
Yet more spectral magic from Jonathan Donahue and co. The problem with continued brilliance is that people get bored easily – a couple of stinkers would stand this group in good stead. ‘Butterfly’s Wings’ isn’t that flop though, a stunning feast for the ears.