Sound Generator's Single Of The WeekInspiringly-named four-piece
Keith are a far more interesting proposition than their name suggests, judging by "Mona Lisa's Child". It's a weirdly exciting fusion of New Order's electronica with The Cure's misery-tinged vocals plus a great honky-tonk piano part, set to an edgy dance beat. If only all new bands were this adventurous with their sound, the world of burgeoning indie bands would be so much more of an inspiring and vibrant place.
The pick of the rest of this week's releases...
Justin Timberlake is so sexy he's even got a "Sexy Back", according to his latest single. This is the kind of song which, if Beverley Hills Cop was remade in 2006, would soundtrack Axel Foley staking out a strip bar in pursuit of Mr. Big.. a persistent robotic rhythm and plenty of heavy breathing, it's a sweaty grind of a tune and another example of Timberlake's talent for a great pop song.
The Feeling are a sickly-sweet monstrosity you'd do well to avoid, but as they're establishing themselves firmly in the mainstream and are plastered all over the radio that's gonna be pretty difficult. "Never Be Lonely" is wishy-washy, over-produced and features horribly multi-tracked vocals "B-b-b baby, I think I'm going c-c-crazy"), all combining to produce the kind of song Delays might come up with if they'd been born without a mililitre of talent.
Well blow me down, here's
The Fratelli's, yet another guitar-based indie outfit who bear more than a passing resemblance to our old favourites The Libertines. This Glaswegian trio's angle is that they also throw in a dash of glam and a splash of Supergrass to the catchy choruses and shout-along vocals, but "Chelsea Dagger" is still just about as original as a badly photocopied banknote.
Pearl Jam are still big enough to headline the Leeds and Reading festivals, and if they keep churning out commercially palatable heavy rock like "Life Wasted", they'll stay that way for a long time to come. There's no surprises on this single - it's hard, heavy and sees Eddie Vedder's earnest throaty roar in fine form, with a couple of fiery solos thrown in for good measure. At the heavier end of the spectrum, Pearl Jam are about as good as it gets.
"I Want You So Hard" reckon
Eagles Of Death Metal, Josh Homme's cartoonishly heavy side project. It's million-miles-an-hour rock 'n roll with a tongue-in-cheek twist, while the video features Jack Black and Dave Grohl and is well worth a look.
