30th June, 1997

The New Seriousness takes over with a vengeance...

Single of the Week

"Take It" by Ballroom

New kids in town Ballroom debut with this blistering New Wave Radiohead-esque offering. Waves of guitar wash over a compact rhythm section as the vocalist tells himself to "take it like a man". Mature without being po-faced and passionate without being pompous, "Take It" is a very promising offering from Ballroom and is a superb example of the encouraging trend that UK music appears to be taking. Now buy it quick before Oasis go and spoil it all next week...

First b-side is "Her Sweet Saliva", a mid-tempo strange Bowie-ish number that is a little unsettling. Next is "If I", a gentle piano-flavoured ballad that sounds a little like Gene, but is even more haunting. Last up is an edit of the extra-strong title track.

Rating: 10/10

The Rest

"Move Away" by Warm Jets

The third single from hugely impressive Bath band Warm Jets, "Move Away" is less immediate than "Never Never" but is no less valid. Again refreshingly different in today's climate, it opens with some fantastically crunchy guitars, and soon develops into a post-modern glam outing, sounding unsettlingly like Peter Gabriel fronting The Fall with the faintest hint of female vocals adding to the atmosphere nicely. A big triumphant riff of a track, and as the song features a "wooo wooo" lyric (cf "Song 2" by Blur) it is therefore highly regarded by HeadCleaner.

First of the six b-sides spread over 2 CDs is "Meteorites", a slow-burning transmission from another - much more laid back - planet. "What do you know about meteorites - do you ever feel very small?" ask the lyrics as the tune struggles to get out of bed. "Dead Star Boys" is next, and is a heady mix of New Wave and lo-fi that is most effective. Last on the first silver disc is "Undertow", a wonderfully English take on the Sonic Youth thang.

Over on CD2 now, we have "Down Down Down", an experimental minimalist track exploring the fascination of being able to "lose all care in the water". One of the best tracks on offer here, it is claustrophobic and frightening. "2 Shots" follows and is a more traditional indie rock number but has a great bit in the middle that sounds like a frightened cow in an aircraft hangar (which is good). Last up is "Beauty No. 3 (demo)", an odd little new wave ditty that sounds a little like Nirvana playing about with an old 80s keyboard.

All told, Warm Jets are shaping up to be a very promising and eclectic - albeit slightly maverick - outfit. Make them big.

Rating: 9/10

"86'd" by Subcircus

Inhabiting a similar world to Placebo, Subcircus are even weirder - more paranoid and neurotic. "Swallow your tongue, don't 86 me" go the lyrics (no, me neither) over some guitar noises that sound as though they're coming from somewhere inside your head. Like some other releases this week, this is slightly unsettling - the sort of thing you'd expect to find popping up on the soundtrack to "Millenium", for instance.

On the b-side is "Disposable Youth", fast incendiary guitars and androgynous vocals with a red-raw and ragged feel that is arresting and exciting. Ocean Colour Scene it's not. Next is "Kill This Distraction, Kill This Reaction" a loping, surreal - and yes - scary track. Have you seen "The Garden Of Earthly Delight" by Heironymous Bosch? This is what's playing over the garden's stereo.

Rating: 8/10

"Ain't That Enough" by Teenage Fanclub

The Fannies have long since hinted at it, but now they throw caution to the wind and - like Stars In Their Eyes - tonight they are The Byrds. No bad thing, as the towering harmonies and layers of guitar on "Ain't That Enough" are ice-blue and beautiful. Unashamedly out of time, but at least plundering a more interesting and fruitful musical locker than some bands out there. Music to kick back to on the beach, or to bask in the sun to - like we'll ever get the chance.

On the b-side is an achingly pretty cover of the Velvets' Femme Fatale and "Jesus Christ", presumably a Big Star song as it is credited to Alex Chilton. With it's "Jesus Christ was born today" refrain, it is a non-offensive Christmas carol of a track.

Nice, written in big white fluffy letters.

Rating: 8/10

"Love Has Passed Away" by The Supernaturals

As if realising that jaunty jolly UK pop is on the descendant, The Supernaturals attempt a stab at a serious song but end up sounding like Alvin Stardust. Perhaps that's not a bad thing.

On the b-side is "Scandanavian Girlfriend" which opens with the best line this week: "I met her in Bargain Books, straight away I went for her looks". Here, the band sound a little like Teenage Fanclub about 5 years ago, but not quite as good. Bringing up the rear is "That's Not Me", a daft piano number which opens with a similar line "I met her when she was at college, she had a big thirst for knowledge" (no, no, no - Pulp have already done that rhyme). A Bad Song, badly done.

Rating: 6/10

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