Singles of the week (released 26th May 2003) - Tiscali Music News

2003-05-26

For this week's singles, read on, but for this week's albums, please click here

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Emma Bunton - Free Me

Emma Bunton returns this week with a feisty, confident new sound, a sexier image and a catchy new single that's all set to blow many people's pre-conceptions right out of the window.

Co-written by Emma herself with Mike Peden, 'Free Me' displays a real progression from the ex-Spice's other solo offerings. Lyrically and musically mature, it's a classy pop number that'll be very welcome by the singer's remaining fans, whilst at the same time winning over more than a few lingering doubters out there.

Both formats also include bonus tracks and mixes.

More music news

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Radiohead - There There

With their highly anticipated 'Hail To The Thief' album just around the corner, Radiohead return this stunning week with first taster 'There There', a single that some are already describing as a return to the band's, what shall we say, slightly more accessible sound.

Retaining all of Radiohead's musical signatures, and finding a middle ground somewhere between 'Kid A' and 'OK Computer', 'There There' serves as a stunning reminder of why the band remain one ofthe most challenging around not-to-mention a mouth watering taster of what's to come from that album. Both formats also add bonus tracks.

Watch the video here:
Real: Low | High
Windows Media: Low High

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One Tue Voice - Shakespeare's Way With Words

Having been thrust into the limelight in December last year as joint winners (along with Girls Aloud) of Pop Stars: The Rivals, One True Voice notched up a Top 5 hit, became media darlings, then, when everything seemed to be going swimmingly, disappeared from view. Well, this week sees them return with a brilliant new single in the shape of 'Shakespear's (Way With) Words'.

Effortlessly melding disco with pop, it's leagues away from their last single (the ballad 'Sacred Trust') and finds the five-piece taking the fight to fellow Pop Rivals Girls Aloud.

Both formats also include bonus tracks/mixes.

Buy this single here

Turin Brakes - Average Man

The latest single from Turin Brakes' 'Ether Song' album, 'Average Man' is another wonderful song from a duo that seem unable to put a musical foot wrong right now. As beautifully spacious, simple and intoxicating as anything that they've ever put out, 'Average Man' also confirms Turin Brakes' status as one of the UK's premier singer-songwriter acts currently plying their trade. Whilst all formats have the added bonus of coming with some superb bonus tracks.

Turn Brakes interviewed

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Abs - Stop Sign
Having successfully struck out on the solo path with last single 'What You Got', ex-5ive member Abs returns this week with 'Stop Sign, yet another pitch-perfect pop number. A re-invention of a Northern Soul Classic (the original version was by Mel Wynn & The Rhythm Aces in the late 60's), 'Stop Sign' sans Abs is an upbeat slab of upbeat dance-pop that'll satisfy existing fans whilst at the same time converting plenty more to the singer's cause. A top return! Both formatsadd bonus tracks/mixes and video extras.

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Marilyn Manson - Mobscene

Inspired by "the glamour of 1930's Hollywood, the grotesque of vaudeville and the cabaret decadence and 'degenerate' art of Weimar Berlin", 'mOBSCENE' is the first single from Marilyn Manson's long-awaited new album, 'Golden Age Of Grotesque'.

A twisted cabaret inspired glam-metal stomp (in true Manson style); the brilliant original also comes, across all formats, accompanied by some superb bonus tracks/mixes, as well as video extras.

Full album review

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Shania Twain - Forever &amp For Always

The third single from Shania Twain's latest, highly-successful album, 'Up!'; 'Forever & For Always' also happens to be one of its best.

Finding the country-rock chanteuse in a more reflective mode, it also highlights exactly what a talented singer/song-writer she actually is. Whilst both formats each include two live audio tracks, a competition and the 'Forever & For Always' video.

More on Shania Twain

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Electric Six - Gay Bar

Having kicked some life into the charts with their last single, the impossibly cool 'Danger! High Voltage', Detroit rockers Electric Six return this week with another slice of hi-octane, slightly camp, scuzzed-up rock naction.

Keeping the guitar-edged drama at the fore, 'Gay Bar' is slightly darker and more direct than its predecessor, but what that lacked in tongue-in-cheek antics this live fave more than makes up for.

Whilst all formats also include exclusive bonus tracks/mixes with the DVD adding the hilarious, if bizarre, video.

Buy this single here

Kings Of Leon - What I Saw EP

Hotly-tipped by just about every corner of the music press, the Kings Of Leon return this week with another sneaky single before the long-awaited release of their debut album.

Another brilliant mix of Deep Southern charm, 70's posturing and straight-up, no-nonsense rawwk, the 'What I Saw EP' is an awesome single, and sets things up nicely for an album that's already promising to be something very special indeed. All formats add bonus tracks.

Buy this single here

Zwan - Lyric

Having silenced (and surprised) more than a few critics with their superb last single 'Honestly' - not-to-mention the subsequent album, 'Mary, Star Of The Sea' - Billy Corgan and Co return this week with another joyous single in the shape of album opener 'Lyric'. Similar in sound and attitude to its predecessor, 'Lyric' is a breezy, guitar-heavy blast of positivity that finds the ex-Smashing Pumpkins frontman in superb form. Whilst both formats also include bonus tracks.

Buy this single here

Cornelius - Point Of View

Finally seeing the light of day after being initially slated for release in August 2002; the latest from Japanese avant-garde musos Cornelius is the highly inventive 'Point Of View Point'.

Exactly the kind of abstract, yet strangely beautiful, sound collages that we've come to expect from them, this release also comes with a superb remix from Japanese legend Yann Tomita alongside Cornelius's truly visionary video. Excellent!

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Junkie XL - Catch Up To My Step

After his major success last year with the Elvis Vs JXL track 'A Little Less Conversation' (which secured the # 1 spot in over 24 countries), Junkie XL (aka Tom Holkenborg) returns with the first single from his much-anticipated third album released in June, forged in his state-of-the-art Amsterdam studio.

His unmistakable soul-filled vocals mixed with JXL’s chart-toppling pop nous (think relentlessly funky slices of big beat and a guitar hook to die for) make ‘Catch Up To My Step’ the perfect tune to kickstart your summer, elevating Junkie’s status in the world of dance to an even higher level.

His objective remains clear: "What I want is that Junkie XL should be a mark of quality when it comes to a certain sound. I feel really comfortable saying I make progressive dance music; I'm always asking, 'How far can I go?'"

Watch the video here

Buy this single here

Also released this week:

P.O.D. - Sleeping Awake

Buy this single here

Reef - Waster

Buy this single here

Mel C - On The Horizon

Buy this single here