2nd August 1999


The singles crisis seems to be over...for now...

Single of the Week

"Let Forever Be" by The Chemical Brothers

The best material Noel Gallagher lets pour out his rather large gob consistently comes about after he's popped round the Chemical Brothers gaff for a cup of herbal. As "Setting Sun", "Let Forever Be" is the sound of Gallagher senior warbling to the heavens whilst The Chems whip up a big beat sandstorm that threatens to defoliate the lad's eyebrows. Slightly psychedelic-tinged, and with a collection of beats that sounds like a tin box full of cutlery falling down the stairs, the already ribcage-rattling track peaks when Noel's lyrics send it skywards into orbit. Expect rather less from the new Oasis material...

"The Diamond Sky" is - unusually for los bros - entirely instrumental (i.e. vocal sample free), which lets the other loops and beats strut around funkily, excited to be out and about without having to compete with someone banging on about getting down or something. "Studio K" is a heavier, more rhythm-centric track, which conjures up images of sci-fi b-movies, drug-fuelled weekenders, and Evelyn Glennie off her box in a cymbal shop.

And - for that image alone - The Chemical Brothers deserve single of the week.

Rating: 10/10

The Rest

"Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" by Travis

Tongue firmly in his cheek (the same way Shirley's tongue was placed during "Happy When It Rains" - but not the same cheek - he should be so lucky...), Fran Healey pops up cheekily with a mock-maudlin angst-ridden little number dealing with bad luck and misfortune ("why does it always rain on me? Maybe it's because I lied when I was 17?"). Undeniably the jauntiest track on recent impressive LP "The Man Who", "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" is equal parts beautiful, wry, witty, singalong and damn, damn fine. Not as good as "Driftwood", though.

"The Urge For Going" - obviously from the same sessions as the LP if the muted, gentle production is anything to go by - is a delicate, strummed acoustic lovelorn song, treading softly through almost folkish territory (fortunately too softly to wake up the beardy Arran sweater brigade). The kind of song that succeeds in making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, keeping them upright, then caressing every one individually.

"Slide Show" (Live at the Link Cafe, Glasgow) is an emotional and accomplished rendition of the LP track, again full of unsaid conversations and what-might-have-beens, a soundtrack for all the inner thoughts we keep to ourselves.

Travis deserve far better than the "in at number 23 then straight out next week" that this song is going to give them.

Rating: 9/10

"Guilty Conscience" by Eminem (featuring Dr Dre)

Now that we know his name, young Mr Mathers is back with chum and producer (and ex-NWA maestro) Dr Dre, in this public information message from a parallel comic-book universe. With Em and Dre playing bad and good consciences respectively, this foul-mouthed yet funny (particularly the last interchange between the two) barrage through tricky moral situations lopes along in baggy trousers and trainers, flicking its nose at political correctness, good taste and the moral majority as it goes. For that, it should be applauded. For the fact that it is also a damn strong rap track, it should be bought.

The radio (i.e. dull) and LP (i.e. rude) versions are here, as is the video, as well as a track off the LP - "'97 Bonnie & Clyde", which is sick, disgusting and pretty bloody funny, actually.

Eminem - living out the snot-nosed adolescent in all of us. You know it's true.

Rating: 8/10

"Rendez-Vu" by Basement Jaxx

Whilst not being as completely bowled over by Basement Jaxx as my more professional peers in the weeklies, I still know a good tune when I hear one. "Rendez-Vu" is one such, albeit heavily Air and Daft Punk influenced as it is. Vocoder vox throw crepes at a Spanish guitar-playing psychobilly whilst Clint Eastwood bounces in and out of town on a spacehopper. Lots of good, hardly any bad, and the only ugly thing's the cover.

"Miracles Keep On Playin' (Red Alert Remix)" reprises the recent Jaxx hit, letting it loose in a big squelchy bathful of disco beats. "All U Crazies" plugs its jacks straight into the heart of a thunderstorm then runs away, leaving us with a deafening bass-driven sonic explosion of samples and loops, some of which work, some of which annoy.

Rating: 7/10

"Oh Jim" by Gay Dad

Sadly, Gay Dad have failed to live up to the promise of both "To Earth With Love" and their name. "Oh Jim" doesn't do much to further the cause, sounding uncomfortably like a David Essex b-side or something equally hideous. Notable only for its ability to stretch mediocrity out over two and a half minutes.

"UVA" is little better, sounding as relevant and vital as something that caused punk to happen in 1976. "Bingo Nation" saves the day somewhat, doing the big Gay Dad glam thing that is the thing they definitely do best. Still not enough to save the single from sinking to the bottom of the bargain bin, there to rub unworn corners with the likes of The Young Offenders.

Rating: 2/10

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