We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.
MELEE Built To Last (Warner Bros)
Orange County quartet Melee have produced one of this summer's finest sounding
singles, starting with a simple piano motif and then grabbing you with a
glorious chorus and pumping rhythm. Taken from their second album and debut UK
release 'Devils & Angels'.
The band formed in 2003 and are cast in the Rascal Flatts school of
boy-band-meets-actually-quite-good and 'Built To Last' might be a more profound
statement than we think. *****
Review by David Randall
THE RUSHES What Are You Waiting For (Island)
Not a million miles from Melee and with a vibe that again links them to the
Rascal Flatts and Garth Brooks brand of country meets rock. Guitar driven, and a
great chorus, this is another excellent summer single that sounds great on the
radio. And, bizarrely - delivered via London and Leeds, not Nashville. ****½
Review by David Randall
EXTREME Star (three track sampler) Frontiers (2008)
Blimey here's a band I never thought would record again as it has been 13 years
since their last album 'Waiting For The Punchline', which was pretty average
compared to the band's previous three albums. But they are back with three
original members vocalist Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and bassist
Pat Badger.
Two songs (one with two versions) on this promo of the forthcoming album 'Saudades
de Rock'. Both have a hint of Queen about them especially the hard rock of
'Star' with its harmony vocals and backing which sounds like Queen's 'Let Me
Entertain You'. Great song and the other song on here, 'Ghosts' again sees the
band utilise their harmony vocals, with some neat guitar and a bit of pomp rock
thrown in for good measure! This song is here as a radio edit and full album
version.
Judging by these two songs the new album should see the band back on form and
hopefully there will be some more funk fuelled songs as well as the band are so
good at these. Extreme are back and its time to celebrate! *****
Review by Jason Ritchie
PETE DU PON Basket Case (WMD Music )
What a radical and superb re-working of the Green Day song. Bar the lyrics you'd
be hard pushed to know it was a Green Day song. Sparse musical backing and the
haunting vocals of Pete Du Pon make for a surprising and satisfying cover - even
Green Day approve! Worth downloading/buying that's for sure. ****½
Review by Jason Ritchie
LES VALENTINE Nervous
Nice acoustic four piece who put melody and harmonies to the fore and this makes
for a damn fine tune. Lovely vocals and just enough instrumenatation to keep the
vocals as the main focus of the listener's attention. Like the Feeling meets
Simon & Garfunkel - more please! ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
TREMORS World Won't Stop
Debut single by the band who have already played the O2 Arena, albeit for a
Scouting celebration event! It's a catchy little number and reminds you of the
poppier side of the Cure. Given some exposure this could do well and be
interesting to hear some more by the band. ***½
Review by Jason Ritchie
SEVERE ZERO Silence The Radio
It's another pop punk band - oh no! Actually this one aren't too bad although
the vocalist does try to sound too aggressive at times and doesn't quite pull it
off. John Lyndon he ain't. Good solid riff and the fats tempo you'd expect -
great to hear on the radio but not something you'd want to play over and over.
***
Review by Jason Ritchie
THE FAFF That's A Nice Glove?
Indie band with a nice backbeat but the song and vocals are too similar other
bands in this vein. Like the Artic Monkeys but without the final finishing
touch. If you like the aforementioned Artic Monkeys or the Kooks the Faff could
well be your band of the month until another one comes along... **½
Review by Jason Ritchie
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