Music: Singles

By Unknown Author

Ash: Numbskull EP

Tim Wheeler's fey lilt from the Uncle Pat-era has undergone a dramatic change (not unlike Britney Spears with her 'knee' operation). Now they sound like fully fledged ROCK BEASTS - driving guitars and a grungey sound mean it comes as no surprise that the B-sides include covers of Blew and Who You Drivin' Now by Nirvana and Mudhoney respectively. Numbskull is competent enough and probably makes for a rabble rousing live track, but is unlikely to convert many unbelievers. It is however a limited edition and backed further by three live tracks. Which is nice.

lg

Indian Ropeman feat. Shakin Badar: 66 Meters

For some strange reason unknown to unsuspecting reviewers, the radio edit of 66 Meters consists only of the last four minutes of the nine-minute full version. Unfortunately, the preceding five minutes of the full version are easily the most varied and interesting, with the odd funky sitar jam and electronic squiggles nestling amongst the laid-back beats and Shakin Badar's suitably Indian vocals. At the end of the day, 66 Meters is another superb tune from the Ropeman - just remember to deduct one star if you're listening to it on the radio.

HHHHI ab

Prolapse: fob.com

Prolapse, like singer Mick's more famous countrymen Arab Strap, recognise that essential musical quality which a Scottish accent has, and exploit it to the full by mainly relying on his thick spoken Glaswegian rather than his singing. This is coupled with Derby-born songstress Linda's simultaneous bittersweet lilting, reminiscent of Isobel from Belle and Sebastian's gentle harmonies. On fob.com, the two contrasts work together almost like a parallel translation, so that residents both north and south of the border can understand Prolapse's scuzzy lo-fi lyrical musings.

HHHHI gs

Prolapse play The Point on May 8th

1000 Clowns: Not The Greatest Rapper

Cute and snappy, with discordant flute and voice meandering across a relaxed beat, 1000 Clowns do their funny stuff with this infectious little number. If only Kevi had bothered to take his own advice and left the rapping well alone, the horrible fascination of the song might well have dissolved into brilliance. Instead his wheedling whine dominates the song in a teeth gritting manner. Not The Greatest Rapper will either irritate you into hating it or win you over with its quirky charm.

HHHII cr

Merchants of Menace: Kickin' Ass

Most successful commercial big beat requires at least a sprinkling of Parmesan to lure the cheese-hungry beered-up crowd onto the dancefloor, but this track really takes the Jacob's Cream Cracker. Unfortunately, Kickin' Ass is more like a bumper pack of Sainsburys' economy English Cheddar than a delicately shaved piece of fragrant Jarlsberg, with its lame beats, cliched police sirens and sole refrain, "Kickin' ass". It certainly doesn't kick as much bitchy little ass as a song with such a great title ought to.

HHIII gs

Speedy J: IEEE Mitten Menu

Sadly, Mr J is speedy by name, but not by nature. Along with 'interesting', 'enjoyable' and 'good', 'speedy' is not a word I'd use to describe this nonsense. Aspiring to be far-out, mashed-up, big-beaty electro, IEEE Mitten Menu fails dismally, sounding like a heavily sedated Nine Inch Nails, too disjointed and dirge-like to dance to, and too tedious to listen to alone in your room. In fact, only buy this if you want to use it to scare some young children.

IIIII jh

Moby: Run On

Combine classical piano, a hip hop drum beat, and the mellifluous soulful vocals of the deep south. The result is pure aural massage of the most original kind, as the three elements form a seamless musical sensation of simplicity and melody. Exactly what the song is about is difficult to say, with the verses being largely drowned by the sweeping chorus, but the words are so pleasingly rhymed and arranged that their meaning is irrelevant. This is a striking and innovative composition; run along and buy it.

HHHHI dl