Singles Selection: BritPop Special

Sigh. The weekend is nearly over. I am officially old(er than I was this time last year). DazPecs complimented my ace new birthday outfit by saying "oh at least that makes you look slimmer". It's back to work tomorrow. I have mastered the "walking on the checkout conveyer" dance from 4 Minutes. I was forced to go to a car boot sale and actually enjoyed it. My new book "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian" is hilariously heartbreaking. I think my party went well, though there was too much chocolate cake trodden into our hall carpet. Vanish powerfoam works wonders. So it's swings and roundabouts as to how aces life can be at time. However, all 7 of these songs below remind me of my infatuation with guitar jangling brit pop that powered thezapping when it first launched. Remember The Upper Room? Mohair? Captain? Well at least one of them has survived...



Captain ~ Keep An Open Mind:
Hurrah, Captain - yes them of the ungoogleworthy name - have returned. I fell in love with the prefab-esque ways back in July 06 (and had discussions with XO over the validity of that comparison!) but they didn't quite capture the charts hearts in the way I thought they might. This comeback single is no Glorious, but is a decent progression for the band. This perky little track recalls the best of Hazelville mixed with the guilty pleasure sequinned sound of The Feeling. It may not be their most innovative track yet, but ultimately it makes me smile and that's all that i'm looking for right now...



Jack McManus ~ Bang On The Piano:
Despite having the same perm and dress sense as Bruno Martelli from The Kids From Fame, Jack McManus is rather marvelous in the extreme. Not least for the fact that he has possibly released the catchiest piano bashing tune of 2008 so far. Drawing on the very catchiest elements of keyboard lovers like Elton John and Billy Joel, Mr Mac brings in hooks at every point possible to burst forth a joyous refrain that lingers in the air like the scent of daffodils on a summers day. Yes it really is that bloody brilliant.
LEGAL DOWNLOAD: Jack McManus ~ Not The Hardest Part



The Script ~ We Cry:
Bless The Script. I wrote about them and their unofficial first single back in January and finally this week, their aces new song We Cry leaps into the top fifteen. It's a fine tune that has mixes rock giant goodness with hip bass and beats to create a sound that is reminiscent of Maroon 5, yet with a charm all of it's own. Yes the lyrics are more socially conscious than a dissertation by a do gooding social work student, yet the fact that they still manage to be listenable and endearing is a sign of this upcoming acts significant appeal. cut…

Ting Tings ~ That's Not My Name:
Rising from the ashes of other failed music projects, the Ting Tings were one of those acts who in January were all over the press for being one of the next big things for 2008. Which, frankly put me off a bit, but I liked Duffy well enough so I thought I would give them a bash. While indie hipsters love them, they are about as pop as pop can be. In fact, it's quite deliciously fizzypop - like a sparkling glass of Sprite on a hot summers day, with no ice to water it down. It's practically Hey Mickey and the fact that the girl was in an act that supported Steps makes this better than bubblegum pop. It's chewing gum pop - very wriggly :)

3 OTHER BRIT TRACKS OF NOTE:

• The Feeling ~ Without You (Acoustic studio version): Shows how much of a travesty it was that this song wasn't the group's fifth top ten hit...
• Delays ~ Hooray: XO and Alien Hits fave, this really needs to be a massive hit if only because the Kooks are doing rather well and it's a slap in the face that they have taken the best of the Delays sound and watered it right down...
• Duels ~ Regeneration: Something very special about this comeback from one of 2006's most elegant new bands. I'm saving up all the good words for an album review later this week!

LINKS:

• XO does his britpop thang
• Yuri's 7 songs
• Dan starts it all off