Here are some reviews I’ve written for some songs that come out in about a month, so that gives you more than enough time to listen for yourself and agree with all my opinions.

They’re all out on the 6th September and some of them are quite good.

Free Energy – Bang Pop

All of the above words are great. Unfortunately that hasn’t managed to translate to the track, which is a bit of a stompalong track. Alongside that rubbish Wavves track I listened to last month, I’m beginning to get a bit fed up with bands using electro type names and then sounding like  T-Rex reuniting without Marc Bolan. It just won’t do. 2/5

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Beverly Kills

Ooh, it’s got sirens on it and synths! And people talking in the background! And sounds vaguely like it’s been ripped off a cassette! And could very easily be the soundtrack to an adult film! Lovely stuff. Some top slap bass action in there as well. Very hip but also very enjoyable. 4/5

Goldfrapp – Believer

THIS IS MORE LIKE IT. I’m firmly of the opinion that Head First is one of Goldfrapp’s better albums (Happiness being the only really decent track from that last one). Most of the album could be released as singles, and while this doesn’t quite match the Alive, it’s a close second. Lovely synthy eighties pop greatness. 4/5

The Strange Death of Liberal England – Rising Sea

Oh deary. Whoever thought that was a great name for a band needs a good talking to. Coming on like a south coast Arcade Fire, this was never going to float my boat. GET IT. BOAT. SEA. Yeah, that just happened. Anyway, they’re from Portsmouth and coming from Southampton I’m legally* required not to like this. It’s alright I suppose but feels a bit thin when they’re trying to be epic and that’s a bit of a let down. 3/5

*not really

The Jellies – Jive Baby On A Saturday Night

Apparently this is an old record that Thurston Moore thinks is quite good, so it’s been re-released. Well, there’s probably more to it than that, but that’s about all you need to know. Sparse, funky with a quite menacing bassline flowing through, this is a bit lovely in a very understated, Tom Tom Club sort of way. It is different, strange and a bit weird and therefore great. 5/5

ROX – Rocksteady

Oh lordy, it’s the reggae. This is literally a slice of some reggae. I don’t really have a viewpoint on reggae other than “that sounds quite nice” and “didn’t Bob Marley have great hair”. There was also something in there about Haile Selassie but I’ve pretty much forgotten that by now. As reggae goes it’s actually pretty good and very summery – pop it on while you’re eating some hummus and fending off some flying ants for the true effect. 4/5

Oceansize – Pine

OH GOD OCEANSIZE ARE BACK. WHO LET THIS HAPPEN. GET IT OFF MY CD PLAYER. 0/5

Grinderman – Heathen Child

Possibly the world’s grumpiest/moodiest/most sinister band, Grinderman are some sort of gestalt entity formed out of Nick Cave, Warren Ellis and some other blokes. I’ll level with you, and this might come as a bit of a shock, but it sounds quite a lot like Nick Cave but with a bit more malice. It’s bloody terrifying (but quite good). 4/5

Annuals – Eyes In the Darkness

Despite an intro that suggest a death metal onslaught is about to ravish your ears, this is really rather lovely. Bouncy, a bit funky, very beachy and some quite interesting vocal styles. I believe it’s what the kids would call “a summer jam”. You’ll have to test this for me if you know any kids because I don’t. Great stuff from the young Americans, further proving that adding handclaps to your song instantly makes it 50% better. 5/5 and the Bitter Fingers Single of the Week.

Have a listen and download if you fancy here. Hoorah!