Another week, another guest from the music world in our hot seat for the singles round up – and believe us, it’s hot. Mainly because we leave a lamp on over it until our reviewer arrives. Keeps ‘em squirmy.
This time it’s over to Frankie & The Heartstrings’ Michael McKnight. His outfit, Sunderland-spawned itchy-indie-popping act that they are, is about to release a fine second LP, ‘The Days Run Away’. Look for it via Wichita on June 3rd.
You can listen to F&TH’s new single, ‘Nothing Our Way’, below, ahead of Michael’s thoughts on the latest crop of standalone cuts…
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Laura Marling – 'Master Hunter'
She's dropped the F-bomb! Who does she think she is, Snoop Doggy Dogg!? Do you kiss your mam with that mouth, Laura? Nice track, even if it is basically Dylan’s 'It Ain’t Me Babe', but you don't need to start effing and jeffing. Seriously though, it's decent and I'm sure whoever it is that likes her will think it's career defining. But it ain't for me, babe.
(Read the Clash review of Marling’s new album, ‘Once I Was An Eagle’)
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The Weeks – 'Brother In The Night'
Imagine tuning into Jools Holland on a Tuesday night and, to your horror, he's there with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra doing a tinky-winky version of Len's ‘Steal My Sunshine’, and you're on the right lines. It's catchy but incredibly annoying, and they look like a bunch of wankers.
(Find more The Weeks content on ClashMusic.com)
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Taffy – 'Tumbling'
‘Place Your Hands’ by Reef kicks in then Tony McCarroll does his only drum roll, and before you know it Alex James and Lauren Lavern have joined in. I love it. It's every Britpop cliché rolled into one song. It's always great to see a band making music that they obviously love. Ten out of 10.
(Find more Taffy content on ClashMusic.com)
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Alice In Chains – 'Stone'
This is the kind of music they always have on in the background of American college porn. You can just imagine the Fred Durst-alike jocks drinking beers out of red cups, bobbing about to it. Why bands like this exist is beyond me. If it wasn't for fact I've just listened to Taffy four times on the bounce I'd be through with life.
(Read Clash’s interview with Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell)
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Angus Stone – 'Wooden Chair'
Have singer-songwriters been told they have to make music for the match.com adverts? I mean, it's sweet and catchy, but so are the other 50 million songs just like it at the minute.
(Find more Angus Stone content on ClashMusic.com)
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Carly Rae Jepsen – 'Tonight I'm Getting Over You'
Wow, this girl manages to make Katy Perry look like PJ Harvey. I can't even bring myself to listen to it. The lyrics read like a seven-year-old Disney fan's diary, and that's probably the audience she's aimed at so I'll leave her to it. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
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Find Frankie & The Heartstrings online here
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