Alt-UK

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Archives for June 6, 2006

The Automatic – Monster

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This is the latest single from the Cambridge four piece that is The Automatic, and sees the band release another amazing single. Following on from the success of ‘Raoul,’ this is bound to do well and should find itself up near the top of the charts come Sunday. I think that this is the best single that the band have released thus far, and their album which is due out on the 12th is sure to be full of great tracks – I cant wait to hear it.

‘Monster’ is near on 4 minutes of pure disco-punk gold, as the band blast through another ballsy track that is sure to put a smile on your face. If you were a fan of ‘Raoul’ then you’re bound to love ‘Monster’ – it’s an absolutely amazing track, probably one of the best I have heard all year in fact. The lead vocals work perfectly with the shouted backing vocals and make way for a brilliant track of impeccable musicianship. I genuinely cant even begin to grasp the concept of anyone actually not enjoying this song as it is absolutely amazing, proving that the UK still has bands that can rock, and do it in style.

You’re unlikely to come across a more exciting UK band than The Automatic this year – this band are most certainly going places. Sure, ‘Not Accepted Anywhere’ might be the only album the band ever release, or the only album anyone’s ever going to be interested in, but as it stands The Automatic are quite rightly taking their place as one of the leading UK bands of the moment. Make sure you go out and by this single and make sure The Automatic get the Number 1 under their belts that they so deserve.

Released: 5th June 2006
Label: B-Unique

Rating:
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The Like – What I Say And What I Mean

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When looking at this band, my first thoughts were – sure they’ve got the look, and have a few positive reviews behind them, including one from the NME – but can they actually rock. My first thoughts when playing this single were no. Upon repeated listens to this single my opinion is yet to change, with what we have here seeming to be a girl band with plenty of potential, it’s just not being used.

There is all the promise of a decent Rock track here, the single just seems to be watered down and lacking in bite. The guitars lack aggression, the vocals far too friendly sounding even when shouted, and it all just seems far too sickly sweet. If The Spice Girls had instruments, then they probably would have sounded something like this, take that how you will.

Released: 15th May 2006
Label: Geffen

Rating:
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Graham Coxon – You & I

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‘You & I’ was the second single lifted from the album ‘Love travels at Illegal Speeds’ and could easily have been the feel good hit of the summer had it been released a couple of months later. This single seems to be a nostalgic look back at his Blur days on Coxon’s behalf as this single has an extremely Blur-esque sound to it, and could easily have been one of their early singles. This tune is definitely a dancefloor filler, and you can just picture it being dropped at rock nights the UK over with flailing bodies all around.

Since becoming a solo artist, Coxon has more than proven his musical credential and shown that despite the rather large ego of Damon Albarn, Coxon could have more than adequately taken his place as front man in the band. Sure, Graham Coxon hasn’t got the best voice ever and the lyrics are a tad cringeworthy, but his voice is nonetheless charming and evocative. This is a great single from the man and as I said earlier on – it could easily have been the feel good hit of the summer had it been released later, and could still become so if it is used tactfully on any sort of media promotion.

Released: 8th May 2006
Label: Parlophone

Rating:
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