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The fourth single to be lifted from [Amy Studt]'s debut album False Smiles is this louder, poppier rendition of Sheryl Crow's hit from 1994. Although Studt's latest offering is only gracing Radio One's C- list, backing vocals supplied by the aforementioned Crow and Studt's familiarity with Top 10 chart positions mean she shouldn't fare too badly with this one.
Ryan Adams So Alive (Lost Highway RYANCDP5)
It is ironic that Adams is championed as one of the musicians at the helm of the Americana scene, while he releases records which unfortunately display his limitations rather than the excellent songwriting that has been showcased on previous offerings.
Basement Jaxx feat. Lisa Kekaula Good Luck (XL XLS178CD).
Good Luck finds the duo dishing another helping of the kaleidoscopic brew they made their name with; a glorious mess of euphoric styles topped by a rousing vocal from Kekaula. This is a wise choice of single from their underperforming current album Kish Kash.
Victoria Beckham
This Groove/Let Your Head Go (19/Telstar tbc)
Beckham's second stab at solo success is backed this time by the clout of 19, which could make all the difference between success and failure. Both songs on offer are inoffensive pop/dance /R&B hybrids, treated to an ultra-sleek production that makes the most of her vocal proficiency.
Beyonce Me Myself and I (Sony 67454462)
It's time for a slick, laid-back ballad from Beyonce which she delivers on this fourth single from Dangerously In Love. Whereas previous releases have displayed her ability to embrace the cutting- edge of R&B, this single relies on the genre's more traditional methods.
Jamie Cullum Wind Cries Mary (Universal Classics & Jazz tbc)
The 24-year-old jazz sensation's take on the evergreen Jimi Hendrix classic comes across as a cynical choice of cover at first glance, but this adaptation does have a degree of swing and grace which makes it a worthwhile exercise up to a point. Taken from his double-platinum crossover album Twentysomething, this could give him his first taste of singles chart success.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor I Won't Change You (Polydor 9815123)
Co-written by Gregg Alexander and Matt Rowe, this is the second single from Ellis-Bextor's recent album Shoot From The Hip. It's her usual cool slice of dance-pop with arch lyrics, a formula that is both novel and refreshing in these rather banal times. It has no surprises, but then why should it?
Franz Ferdinand Take Me Out (Domino RUG172CD)
Hotly-tipped for 2004, FF's second single to date is a good taster for their album due out February 9. It is produced by Tor Johannsen (The Cardigans), which will help the band establish their left-field art-pop direction on sound foundations, especially since it has been C-listed at Radio One. This is pop Jim, but not as we know it.
Grandaddy I'm On Standby/Stray Dog And The Chocolate Shake (V2 VVR5024603).
Lifted from Grandaddy's June-released album Sumday, I'm On Standby is a gentle yet typically epic strummer from the Californian quintet. The flipside, driven by a chirpy keyboard line, highlights their new-found optimism. Their current UK tour will help boost awareness of this gem of a single.
Liberty X Everybody Cries (V2 VVR5023553)
After the straightforward pop of last single Jumpin', the lively troupe branch out with a more adventurous sound for the second single lifted from current album Being Somebody. With a Bond-esque feel, it is laced with a rich orchestral production courtesy of top knob-twiddler Marius De Vries. It also precedes the group's frst arena tour which kicks off on February 21 in Manchester.
Metallica The Unnamed Feeling (Vertigo 99815881)
Releasing this seven-track EP, with a variety of aesthetic incentives, from digipacks to 12-inch picture discs, is sure to dampen the downloaders. Featuring six live tracks recorded in Paris in June 2003, The Unnamed Feeling follows the same melodramatic stadium rock cliches that the 'Tallica are well respected for.
Motorcycle As The Rush Comes (Positiva CDTIVS203)
Dave Dresden, Josh Gabriel and Jes's stadium pop-trance anthem has been wooing clublands' more bombastic parts of late and this commercial release looks certain to provide Positiva further crossover success. Mixes come courtesy of Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond and Gabriel & Dresden.
The Offspring Hit That (Columbia 67454772)
Hit That will be the first single release from The Offspring's latest album Splinter. Currently finding favour on Xfm, Hit That cruises into a hummable ska-punk - trumpets and all - only to crescendo into a fury of teen angst.
Sean Paul I'm Still In Love With You (VP/Atlantic AT0170CD)
The reigning king of dancehall digs into the box marked "foundation tunes" for this remake of the Alton Ellis classic in combination with singjay Sasha. Currently supported by the likes of Radio One, Galaxy, Vibe and Choice, this more relaxed offering should once again take Paul into the Top 10.
Peaches feat. Iggy Pop Kick It (XL/Beggars Banquet XLS 176)
Fresh from supporting Marilyn Manson across Europe on his recent stadium tour comes the standout track from her Fatherfucker opus. With such a dream combination, Kick It couldn't be anything less than a roaring verbal joust that just screams rock'n'roll attitude.
Pink God Is A DJ (Arista 82876589352)
Say what you like about Pink, but she can craft a hit. This has an almost Eighties edge to it - the good edge - in its verse, structure and bass shape; dance rock at its best. Co-written and produced by Billy Mann, P!nk and Jonathan S Davis, this Radio One C- listed track looks set to chart and give her platinum album Try This a shot in the arm.
Planet Funk Inside All The People (Illustrious 12ILLDJ019)
This has already been making waves in all the right places, with all the right people. Available on three 12-inch singles, it looks set to continue playing well in clubland, but they will need a vocal on it to get it onto the radio in time for their next album, which is due early next year.
REM Animal (Warner Bros tbc)
The intro kicks in with gentle psychedelia, as if someone has transported Stipe and co. back 40 years, then soon breaks into standard REM rock-pop territory. This is nothing an REM fan hasn't heard before, yet will help the 650,000-selling Best Of collection remain buoyant in the albums chart.
Scissor Sisters Comfortably Numb (Polydor 9815883)
Hats off to the fashionista's favourite new band, who have managed to transform the Pink Floyd classic into a Bee Gees/Pet Shop Boys-sounding club stomper and has Top 20 written all over it. It is the second track to be lifted from the New Yorkers' debut album, which is due out on February 2.
Sia Colour The Small One (Go Beat 9866099)
The major label debut for this Australian chanteuse, best known for her vocals with Zero 7, is a perfect showcase for her unique style. A strong press plot will help set this up nicely at the start of the year.
The Strokes Reptilia (Rough Trade RTRADE155)
By no means the most obvious choice of single from The Strokes' second album Room On Fire, this single nevertheless delivers more than its fair share in the short-sharp-pop-rush department. A good spell of airplay exposure for Reptilia will do Room On Fire's waning chart fortunes no harm, and Radio One, Virgin and Xfm are already obliging.
Amy Studt All I Wanna Do (Polydor 9815012)
The fourth single to be lifted from Amy Studt's debut album False Smiles is this louder, poppier rendition of Sheryl Crow's hit from 1994. Although Studt's latest offering is only gracing Radio One's C- list, backing vocals supplied by the aforementioned Crow and Studt's familiarity with Top 10 chart positions mean she shouldn't fare too badly with this one.
Tupac Runnin' (Dying To Live) (Polydor 9815329)
The rapper's posthumous career rolls on as Eminem uses his production talents to bring Tupac and Notorious BIG on an official track for the first time on this cut from the Resurrection greatest hits soundtrack from the new film made of Tupac's life.
Amy Winehouse Take The Box (Island 12IS840)
Winehouse delivers yet another corker with this downtempo track taken from her debut album Frank. A live favourite, it will be supported with a mini-tour set to kick off towards the end of January. Winehouse is also set to play at the official Brits launch.
The Zutons Pressure Point (Deltasonic DLTCD016)
The Liverpudlian quintet's latest single is a great example of how an catchy pop song should be done. Although not supported at radio, their oncoming support slots alongside The Coral will show how masterful the Zutons are in amalgamating indie-rock, soul, jazz and funk in one bundle.
Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.
Copyright CMP Information Ltd. Dec 27, 2003