Alt rock darlings Arcade Fire continue their bid for world domination with Neon Bible live favourite ‘No Cars Go’ (**** Mercury). Originally included on their self titled EP, the song has evolved into a journey of epic proportions, boasting dramatic brass, emotive strings and super rhythmic drum thumping. “We know a place where no planes go/We know a place where no ships go,” Butler and Chassagne sing in perfect harmony, sharing with us their vision of utopia. Close your eyes and drift away.
Manchester dance duo Elektrons give last year’s underground hit ‘Get Up’ (*** Wall of Sound) another airing in support of their forthcoming album Red Light Don’t Stop. Featuring Jurassic Five rapper Soup, it’s a Viagra poppin’ party anthem that samples the primal horn blasts of James Brown’s ‘Sex Machine’ and is steeped in their dirty basement vibe. However, given its repetitive groove nature, it’s only a matter of time before Mr. Comedown rears his ugly head.
He may look like an extra from Happy Days, but ex Longpigs/ Pulp guitarist Richard Hawley sure knows how to write a great pop song. Take new single ‘Tonight the Streets Are Ours’ (**** Mute), for example, in which his velvety croon wraps itself around chiming guitars and a hopelessly romantic orchestral arrangement. It’s like the bastard child of Divine Comedy and Morrissey. His upcoming album Lady’s Bridge is going to be a corker.
Swedish pop princess Robyn hooks up with electronica native Kleerup on ‘With Every Heartbeat’ (**** Konichiwa). It’s a bubbling electro break up ballad made even more interesting by the versatile singer’s apparent Kate Bush impersonation. Not bad. Not bad at all.
POSTED...
Fri 10 Aug 2007 at 11:43am
