Alt-UK

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Archives for July 2007

Hanoi Rocks – Fashion

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Finland’s finest export Hanoi Rocks finally storm back with a new single in the form of ‘Fashion’ and I have to say that it was well worth the wait. With a highly memorable chorus, strong guitar riffs throughout, and the fine vocal styling we have now come to expect from the band – ‘Fashion’ is a fine slab of rock gold. It is not hard to see why the track went straight to number 1 when it was released in Finland back in May. This track is everything you could possibly want from a Rock single, consistently pressing all the right buttons for the entirety of the 3 minute duration. The single is completed with a fantastic cover of the Billy Bremner hit ‘Trouble Boys’, a track they make their own in fantastic style. Hanoi Rocks seem to have found their ideal line up now and are in my opinion sounding better than ever.

Label: Demolition Records
Release Date: 30th July 2007

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Zico Chain – Anaemia

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Zico Chain’s ‘Anaemia’ is to receive its digital release today through Hassle Records, and will also receive a limited physical release on 7” on the 23rd. ‘Anaemia’ follows on from last single ‘Where Would You Rather Be?’, once again showcasing some impeccably strong guitar work, top vocal styling, and deadly drum beats. I wouldn’t say this is as good as their last release, but it is still an extremely virile track showing them to be a formidable force with intense power and precision displayed here throughout. The track doesn’t in my opinion portray the band at their best, but then again they don’t come across badly here either. Zico Chain are a three piece all in their early twenties, and I for one can’t wait for them to release an album. They’re touring heavily at the moment, but when the album is given a release later this year it is bound to be a musical powerhouse. Zico Chain are without a doubt one of the most exciting and intriguing of British bands out there at the moment.

Label: Hassle Records
Release Date: 9th July 2007

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Bright Eyes – Hot Knives

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‘Hot Knives’ is the latest track to be lifted from Bright eyes top 15 charting current album ‘Cassagada’. A lot of people seem to rate this band extremely highly, however to me Bright Eyes have always been one of the most over rated bands going. There is never any substance to their music, the lyrics are always nonsense, and the voice of Conor Oberst grates on me no end. Oberst has a horrible whiny drawl which comes across dreadfully over the prosaic instrumental backdrop here, and with lyrics such as ‘So let us rejoice in all this pink noise’, I fail to see how anyone could ever possibly see this man as a talented lyricist. It is clear that the lyrics endeavour to be intelligent, but really when dissected are meaningless expressions of nothing at all.

Label: Polydor
Release Date: 9th July 2007

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Fall Out Boy – The Take Over, The Breaks Over

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The third single to be taken from their ‘Infinity On High’ album, and yet it could still easily be the first; ‘The Take Over, The Breaks Over’ is an extremely fresh, exciting and energetic track that will have you singing along in no time. Fall Out Boy have been a favourite of mine for some years now, and never fail to impress with their slick Pop Punk anthems. The band have already had two top ten successes with their previous two releases from this album, and this one looks set to become their third. There’s a reason why their latest album is platinum selling, and that’s because Fall Out Boy are a band with the most tremendous of pop sensibilities, catchiest choruses, and finest guitar hooks. With every release the band seem to be growing in confidence and fully deserve their current status as ‘America’s Hottest Band’ as determined by Rolling Stone magazine. Make sure you check this one out if you haven’t done so already as it truly is a great track, as is the case with most of their ‘Infinity On High’ album in fact.

Label: Mercury
Release Date: 2nd July 2007

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James Morrison – One Last Chance

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One year on from the release of album ‘Undiscovered’, James Morrison is to release the fifth single. ‘One Last Chance’ is a download only single and rounds the year off nicely in which he won a Brit Award for best male, sold over a million albums in the UK alone, and played a total of four sold out UK tours. Although not his best, there is something oddly charming about this one making it a pleasant and pleasurable listening experience. Not the instant classic ‘You Give Me Something’ was, but still a fine effort from the young singer songwriter. Given that this is the fifth single to be taken from the album and is only being released as a download single, I thought this would be a vastly inferior single in terms of quality to what has come beforehand, however I was to be proven wrong when I listened to this one. Although not everyone will appreciate it, there is definitely something appealing about James Morrison and he fully deserves the year that he has had and his status as the biggest selling male solo artist of 2006.

Label: Polydor
Release Date: 2nd July 2007

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