Clever Eleven May 2008 ¤

To celebrate the coming of summer, I treat you once again to a double whammy! Loads of great singles this month, making it hard to select a definitive eleven, let alone to narrow the squad down to the usual 16. My suggestion is you drop your least favourite song and burn one smashing CD for the BBQ party or for those refreshing afternoon drives (preferably with the hood down).

1. The Fratellis - Mistress Mabel [radio edit]
They are Glaswegian faux-brothers currently heard at a football stadium near you.
This is the first single from sophomore album Here We Stand, out in June.
2. The Cure - The Only One [mix 13]
They are rock royalty some 30 years into their career, getting ready for their 13th album.
This is the first of 4 singles to be released on the 13th of each month leading up to the album.
Sounds like the perfect sequel to Just Like Heaven.
3. What Made Milwaukee Famous - Sultan
They are a Texan five-piece named after Jerry Lee Lewis' ode to beer.
This is the outstandig track from second album What Doesn't Kill Us.
Sounds like Spoon on a St. Patrick's Day parade.
4. Coldplay - Violet Hill [radio edit]
They are only one of the biggest bands on earth right now.
This is the dark, dramatic download-for-free first single from their fourth album.
Sounds like there's more to them than soppy balladry, then.
5. The Music - Strength In Numbers
They are a Leeds quartet about to return from four years of substance-induced silence.
This is the monumental title track and leadoff single from their third long player.
Sounds like Kasabian in Hi-NRG disco mode.
6. Ida Maria - Queen Of The World
She is a 23 year old Norwegian hellraiser currently trying to break through in the UK.
This is the third single from fresh debut album Fortress Around my Heart.
Sounds like the female Håkan Hellström (Scandinavian pop reference alert).
7. Crisis - Consequences
They are an indie supergroup made up of Paul Weller, Supergrass, The Enemy and more.
This is a proof that charity singles don't have to be self-indulging cover versions.
Sounds like the best song Phil Spector never laid his magic hands on.
8. Foxboro Hot Tubs - Mother Mary
They are actually Green Day in 60's garage rock disguise.
This is the first single from Stop Drop and Roll, which saw the physical light of day in May.
Sounds like the abandoned bastard child of Valerie and Lust for Life.
9. Royworld - Dust
They are a London four-piece with a flair for late 70's/early 80's stadium-sized soft rock.
This is their first major label single, taken from upcoming debut album Man in the Machine.
Sounds like a guilty pleasure.
10. The Zutons - Always Right Behind You
They are psychedelic Scousers lately gone glam rock.
This is the first single from third album You Can do Anything.
Sounds like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Spiders from Mars.
11. The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight
They are slow-building MySpace phenomenon from LA.
This is their "secret" hit put out by the band themselves.
Sounds like The National going all U2. Successfully.

RESERVES: Cajun Dance Party - The Race, Magnetic Morning - The Way Love Used To Be, The Lodger - A Hero's Welcomes, The Presets - This Boy's in Love, Sons and Daughters - This Gift, The Young Knives - Turn Tail, Magne F - The Longest Night, Phantom Planet - Do The Panic, The Pigeon Detectives - This Is An Emergency, The Royalties - Paper Tiger, Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down.

Listen up!

Listen further!

Spotify

Followers

Rock Music Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory