HeadCleaner Single Reviews

2nd June, 1997

"The End Is The Beginning Is The End" by Smashing Pumpkins

The Batman films (not the camp crusader sixties version...) have generally had great soundtracks. From the purple prancings of Prince, to the elegant melancholia of Siouxsie And The Banshees, the tales of the dark knight have been enhanced with some fine music. This, taken from the forthcoming "Batman And Robin" blockbuster, sees Billy Corgan and crew upholding the tradition in best metal mode - with hardly a trace of grunge to be heard. Featuring Corgan's trademark whine and a whisky-soaked guitar line all underpinned with some nice primal rhythms, "The End Is The Beginning Is The End" is - although hardly a classic - the best thing on offer this week. Holy Pumpkins.

"The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning" (this is getting a bit tedious on the fingers) is an alternative mix of the a-side and removes the guitars and replaces them with a trancier altogether more cinematic backing. The widescreen version, if you like. "The Ethers Tragic" appears next and is a mellower instrumental take on the tune running through "The End.." (that's cheating - I thought I was getting a new song). And to add insult to injury "The Guns Of Love Disastrous" which closes the single has the same damn tune too. Holy Unoriginality.

The end the end the end.

Rating: 8/10

The Rest

"Brazen 'Weep'" by Skunk Anansie

I bought CD2 of this by mistake, and every track on it is a remix, so I can't really comment on what the actual radio edit is like as I haven't heard it...woops.

From what I can make it from the various mixes on offer here, "Brazen 'Weep'", besides having a pretty strange title, is one of those typical heartrending, straining and slightly over-wrought Skunk numbers. It sounds as though it may have big crunching guitars in it somewhere, but it might be a ballad. Oh dear, this isn't going too well, is it? Does it actually have the lyric "boo-hoo" in it?? I hope so - that gets it an extra point for comedy.

Of all the mixes on offer, the best is the Electro Mix, cos that sounds as though someone's playing an old Casio VL-Tone in the background.

Rating: 6/10

"Love Rollercoaster" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

More US rock from everyone's favourite sock-wearers. Taken from the current "Beavis And Butthead Do America" movie, this sees the Peppers in upbeat funk mode with scuzzed up rock rap vocals and a gyrating, shaking tune. However, like a rollercoaster, it just goes up and down a lot without ever getting anywhere - a little unsatisfying and not much of a ride at all.

Hur hur - he said ride.

B-side is Engelbert Humperdinck singing "Lesbian Seagull" which is funny. Once.

Rating: 6/10

"Hazel's Hob" by Hardbody

Oh dear. I bought this cos I noticed they were on the line-up for this summer's T in the Park festival and not unreasonably assumed they must be ok. I should've realised that Ocean Colour Scene, Kula Shaker, Paul Weller and Shed Seven are on the bill too and therefore this is no guarantee of quality.

"Hazel's Hob" is a lumbering, country-tinged song - without any of the magic or compassion of a band like Cowboy Junkies or Mazzy Star, and more along the heavy-handed lines of the godawful Texas (also playing T this year - I'm having second thoughts about going now). AOR with a capital Zzzzz.

B-sides are an extended version of the a-side (spare us), a dance-ish spoken word mix, and another track "Bring Your Car" which at least has the good grace to include a trumpet. Dire on the whole though.

Rating: 2/10

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