Singles & Albums

May 25 2008 By Mickey Mcmonagle & Avril Cadden

Mailmusic Reviews

DUFFY

WARWICK AVENUE ****

This single from the Welsh songstress isn't as gutsy as Mercy or Rockferry but no less affecting.

It's laid back with an old-fashioned Motown/soul and shows off a sorrowful, woebegone vocal until she raises the bar on a soaring chorus. Another hit.

FOALS RED SOCKS PUGIE ***

The Oxford quintet release this single from highly-acclaimed album Antidotes. It's pop with an angular edge and lots of layers, catchy guitars, dancey bassline and repetitve vocals from Yannis. Dymanic and very radio-friendly.

DOGHOUSE ROSES

GREENER THE GRASS****

Glasgow-based Doghouse Roses are Paul Tasker and Iona MacDonald.I knew nothing about them but this single stood out because of the sheer loveliness of the vocals, especially of Iona.

It's a folky/blues track worth checking out.

FIGURE 5

ROCK OF GIBRALTAR****

This second single backs up the promise shown by debut Nitty Gritty. A favourite from the boys' frenetic live shows, it boasts a football terrace feel that will win it an army of fans, its chanted chorus backed by a starkly effective, jagged guitar riff. Watch out for this lot.

PAUL WELLER

HAVE YOU MADE UP YOUR MIND?*****

The former Jam man is on the form of his life, with a fresh, exciting new sound. This single deserves to be a huge hit, a slow burn feel building through a strong chorus. Watch out for the album.

THE FRATELLIS

MISTRESS MABEL *****

Another first taste of a new album - and it's a stunner. This upbeat, insanely catchy monster combines the infectious, poppy singalong feel of the Chelsea Dagger era with a more classic rock sound. Far from the best song on it - which tells you just how good the album is.

SUB CLUB

20YEARS*****

Disc one is the standout, with Subculture legends Harri and Domenic turning in a history of house music featuring Round 2, Steve Poindexter and Galaxy 2 Galaxy. The Optimo disc mixed by JD Twitch and JG Wilkes is the usual eclectic mash-up which fans will eat up. Stellar stuff.

ANDY BURROWS

THE COLOUR OF MY DREAMS ***

This might be one of the biggest surprises of the year. It's not what I expected from the Razorlight drummer. Burrows found a collection of poems and set them to short songs in aid of Winchester children's home Naomi House. A quiet, understated album, with a folky feel that grows on you.