Singles + EPs

Single Review Shorts: July 7-14

[Artist: Semifinalists]
[Single: Last Pretending]
[Label: V2]

Semifinalists, the London duet first came together at film school whilst trying to write a soundtrack to accompany a friend’s film. This latest offering comes from their latest album and bristles with 80’s nostalgia over 2-step stylings - it’s like Shanks & Bigfoot remixing I Was A Cub Scout whilst Stephen ‘Tin-Tin’ Duffy invades the party. Soft vocals wash over popping electronica and over-stretched guitar parts. It’s not a song that will stick long in the memory but it serves as a good introduction for the uninitiated.
For Fans Of: I Was A Cub Scout, Love Is All, Black Kids
Band Link = Semifinalists
Release Date: 7 July

[Artist: Avenged Sevenfold]
[Single: Dear God]
[Label: Warner]

Fancy a spot of slow adult-oriented country rock? Well, Avenged Sevenfold’s latest single is all about the twang with slide guitar introducing the hoarse, lilting vocals of M. Shadows. By penning a heartfelt crooner it gives this bunch of pretty boys a chance to pose and pucker up for their vapid fanbase. For the rest of us, who haven’t quite grasped quite why bands with such limited parameters continue to be successful, it will have you reaching for the sickbag. Reminiscent of Jon Bon Jovi when he started finding solace in all things cowboy, this will no doubt help their album sell by the bucketload Stateside - the cynic in me could see this one coming a mile off.
For Fans Of: Jon Bon Jovi, Staind, Atreyu
Band Link = Avenged Sevenfold
Release Date: 7 July

[Artist: Blood Red Shoes]
[Single: This Is Not For You]
[Label: V2]

The latest single from Blood Red Shoes debut album, ‘Box Of Secrets’, is a spasmodic, grind and groove stunner. Giant, grungy guitars lick over menacing drums hammering into the vocal gunfight of three Laura-Mary Carters laid over each other. This is the sound of the Ting Tings bumping into Babes In Toyland on a dark, stormy night. When the track finally dips into the fade-out it’s like being released from a vice and the chance to breathe out is both welcome and disappointing. Feisty, frantic and simply unstoppable.
For Fans Of: The Ting Tings, Babes In Toyland, L7
Band Link = Blood Red Shoes
Release Date: 7 July

[Artist: CSS]
[Single: Left Behind]
[Label: Warner]

The undercurrent on this latest CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) single is a syrupy, warping gloop of electronica with the whole track lifted by the crystal-clear Barbie vocals of Lovefoxxx. It comes from their much-anticipated second album ‘Donkey’ and serves as a perfect introduction to the buoyant sound of which this band is quite clearly adept at producing. They even provide an instrumental version of the track so you can hear how greatly it is improved by the sultry, warming hook of the lyrics - “Baby, you’ve got me thinking about the things I left behind.” Very clever stuff.
For Fans Of: New Young Pony Club, Le Tigre, SHITDISCO
Band Link = CSS
Release Date: 14 July

[Artist: Them Is Me]
[Single: Demon Rebel]
[Label: Garston Records]

When Reef split up, vocalist Gary Stringer and bassist Jack Bessant formed Them Is Me and have been receiving plaudits ever since. Their debut album is out in the next few days and this is a flavoursome taster. ‘Demon Rebel’ is reminiscent of the startling key-driven staccato patterns Foxy Shazam enlightened us to earlier this year, but with the piano replaced by guitars. Stringer’s red-raw vocal is instantly recognisable whilst the song itself plays like a cross between Nirvana’s ‘Territorial Pissings’ and Reef’s ‘Place Your Hands’. Great, but not wholly original. The other track on offer here ‘Let The Sun’ is far different, almost plodding by comparison, with a rock n’ roll heart beating steadily throughout allowing Stringer to show us his full range. Solid, if unspectacular.
For Fans Of: Reef, Foxy Shazam, Feeder
Band Link = Them Is Me
Release Date: 14 July

[Artist: A Silent Film]
[Single: You Will Leave A Mark]
[Label: Xtra Mile Recordings]

This is the A Silent Film’s second single from their forthcoming album, ‘The City That Sleeps’, due out in October. Thumping piano and heart-rush bass form the canvas upon which singer Robert Stevenson applies delicate touches of hushed echoing vocal. It takes elements of Keane’s sashaying style but inserts the dark mind of Snow Patrol to give the music an obliquely eloquent simplicity but, ultimately, it lacks that instant gratifying hit of hook or riff.
For Fans Of: Keane, Snow Patrol, Travis
Band Link = A Silent Film
Release Date: 14 July

[Artist: Funeral For A Friend]
[Single: Beneath The Burning Tree/Waterfront Dance Club]
[Label: Join Us Records]

This is going to be a big year for Funeral For A Friend. Having just formed their own record label, built on Integral’s powerful infrastructure, they are hoping to use this move as a “stepping stone.” Well, judging from these two songs it certainly hasn’t dampened their desire to create bullying rock music. ‘Beneath The Burning Tree’ is replete with jabbering guitars over which frontman Matthew Evans hammers out a mighty roar before being joined in his fervent vocal attack by choral harmonies loud enough to worry the nearby bookshelves. Expecting something a little more sedate to follow, we find the fierce ‘Waterfront Dance Club’ (available free soon as a download) rolling in dark chords, roughed-up guitar and drumshots big enough to make even the hardened rocker instinctively duck. Two tracks that prove FFAF haven’t formed a label with the intention of diversifying or diluting their sound - Thrice, I‘m looking at you.
For Fans Of: From Autumn To Ashes, Story Of The Year, Finch
Band Link = Funeral For A Friend
Release Date: 14 July

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