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Don’t read that, read this! ClashMusic returns to the darkest lair of the office, the space reserved for those promos which we mark ‘singles’…
The Cribs return with their new Johnny Marr enhanced effort whilst we also dig out the critical microscope for the likes of Manchester Orchestra, The Heavy, Dawn Landes and Bibio. An eclectic bunch? Why thank you.
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Single Of The Week – August 31st
The Cribs – Cheat On Me
Why hello Johnny Marr! The addition of the former Smith to the Wakefield boys was met with no small measure of raised eyebrows. One, a revered guitarist and studio addict while the other liked their songs raw and bruised. Yet, somehow, ‘Cheat On Me’ carries elements of both. Marr’s chiming guitars are clearly evident yet he never swamps The Cribs, with Gary Jarman’s throat once again left raw by another raucous chorus. A stunning return – The Cribs could finally be about to break through into the mainstream.
The Heavy – How You Like Me Now
In which The Heavy prove that while God can take James Brown up into his heavenly bosom He just can’t stop the funk. Taken from their recent album ‘How You Like Me Now’ is a stomping, snarling party anthem with just a hint of malice. Mean and moody, it came as a jaw dropping surprise that these soul brothers are actually a buncha Limeys! Funk fakery or impassioned pastiche? Who cares with a beat this sweet.
The Hot Melts – Red Lips
Sounds a bit like Rocket From The Crypt in places this. But only if said LA punks had every shred of originality removed. In actuality, it sounds like Shed Seven gone heavy, big thumping choruses that scream ‘anthemic’ at the top of their voices. Probably good live, but that won’t help them in a singles round up will it?
Noisettes – Wild Young Hearts
Well this is cheeky. Those with long memories might remember that The Noisettes initially signed a deal with Motown, before being chucked away like a broken toy. Having found stardom with ‘Don’t Upset The Rhythm’ the trio return with a song that, well, sounds like Motown – at least until the growling guitars appear. Hitting a Fresher’s Week near you like a half price bottle of Apple Sourz.
Manchester Orchestra – I’ve Got Friends
In these Yankee fixated isles, it’s a little surprising to find an American act who have named themselves after the sunny climes of Manchester. No Roses or Hacienda nostalgia on this track, however, with ‘I’ve Got Friends’ being sublime piece of geek-pop. A bit like Kings Of Leon without the muscles, Manchester Orchestra mix festival pleasing chorus lines with great big slabs of rock riffs.
Dawn Landes – Romeo
Dawn Landes has one of the finest voices in modern Americana, so quite what possessed the dude in this song to stand her up is a mystery to us. Gorgeous country flavoured pop, Landes might not be able to find her ‘Romeo’ but then look what happened to that romance. Her heartbreak is our pleasure.
The Wave Machines – Punk Spirit
‘Punk’ has to be the most abused term ever crafted. With the music quickly spiralling outwards of any attempted definition some bright folk decided to talk about a ‘Punk Spirit’. In other words, non-conformist, profoundly honest, guitar-led songs written by people on the margins on society due to the way they choose to live their lives. Sounds a bit like The Wave Machines, in other words. Good tune, like.
Bibio –Maybe They Appear In Graveyards EP
All this talk of Warp turning 20 has turned the ultimate futurist label into a feeding ground for nostalgia. Remember Nightmares On Wax? They were good. But Bibio is better. The American producer returns with this EP of head-spinning electronica that doesn’t so much deny the past as kick it into the bin. A vast collage of samples pieced together into a delicately ornate structure which seems as if it could shatter at any moment.
