23rd November, 1998


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Single of the Week

"The Power Of Goodbye" by Madonna

Now officially (or according to MTV at least) the best woman in the planet in the history of the world ever, Madonna appears to have reached the pinnacle of her creative output with her new ambient earthmother material. She's come a long way since "Holiday", that's for sure (mind you, that is ancient history).

"The Power Of Goodbye" sees William Orbit shake his magic pot of glitter over a swelling and ebbing track that pulses like the tide, as Madonna sings a hymn to farewells. Compare Maddy's graceful ageing with Cher's performance (more embarrassing than your granny singing karaoke Abba songs), and there is no contest. Whilst Cher may be having more fun, Madonna's muse is the one that soars above the clouds like an angel, and this track is perhaps the best downbeat ballad released this year.

"Little Star" backs things up nicely, a more ambient rainforest of sounds through which Maddy prowls like a she-panther, sleek and seductive and singing a gentle torch song to her daughter. A remix of "The Power Of Goodbye" wraps things up, a beat-heavy version that coats the original in chrome and spins it out over the ocean.

Hopefully all those that would have been happier had Bumgravy's limited edition 7" flexidisc made single of the week have buggered off by now...

Rating: 9/10

The Rest

"Wild Surf" by Ash

"Wild Surf" is less Stooge-y than "Jesus Says", and - it has to be said - slightly worse for it. Unmistakably Ash (that whine, those deceptively simplistic chord changes), the track chugs along nicely, taking in all those requisite rock ingredients (harmonies, "c'mon"s, stellar chorus) along the way. The end result leaves you ever so slightly unmoved, but on the whole Tim's gang succeed in whipping up another damn near essential single, adding to their already over-burgeoning back catalogue of top classics. Somewhere between "Oh Yeah" and "Kung Fu", but without the killer hooks of either, "Wild Surf" is the filler track on one of the best compilation tapes ever.

Another slow week, so both CD's bees. "Stormy Waters" is almost (whisper it) Oasis-like in its grandeur and scope, its slow tempo filled with crashing chords and vocals that pick you up by the hairs on the back of the neck. But "When I'm Tired", with its three chord thrash punk, is back with the Ash we all know and (at least I) love. Nihilistic lyrics ("I feel no remorse, there is no regret, I'll just let it fade into nothing") and trashy guitar make the track subtle as a brick in the face, and ten times as much fun.

CD2 has an extended version of "Wild Surf", then "Lose Control" blasts forth with its sonic assault of distorted guitars and shouty vocals. Could do with being a bit louder, believe it or not (if you're gonna explode, do it properly). "Gonna Do It Soon" is a 2 minute guitar wank in the style of Sonic Youth with either vocals by Charlotte or Tim at his most effeminate.

When most of our best bands at the moment are rewarding but hard work (Manics, Radiohead, etc), it is great to have one that - whilst not being dumbed-down crap for the masses - you can still bounce around to without too much effort. Ash, we salute you.

8/10

"War Of Nerves" by All Saints

This lot have fast become older than a kipper left out in the sun for a week. At first, they were a viable alternative to the Spice Girls' froth, but before long their baggy trousers and shuffle-shoulder dancing got all a bit too serious. Dammit, at least B*witched and Steps are fun. "War Of Nerves" steals a little from their own "Never Ever" with a piano-backed, gospel-tinged number that would like to think it is cooler and sexier than anything you've ever heard. It is in fact cooler and sexier than Bernard Manning, but only just.

"Always Something There To Remind Me" (Burt Bacharach cover) is on the b-side and amazingly succeeds in turning a huge upbeat classic into a dull shuffle-shoulder baggy trousered dirge. They'd be better sticking a microphone up to Melanie's stomach and recording her baby kicking - it would be more exciting. The admittedly superb (but over-exposed) "Never Ever" closes proceedings, showing a distinct lack of imagination when it comes to b-side selection.

File under the carpet.

Rating: 3/10

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