Friday, March 21, 2008

Shuffle

Kevin Courtney's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

KATE NASH
Merry Happy Fiction ****

Kate can annoy us with her EastEnders barmaid attitude, but when she hits the right note, she could charm the pants off Phil Mitchell. This song's got a luvverly refrain and lyrics about looking at her bum, so it's a bit of alright, then. Talking about mini-Allens: when's the original Lily gonna release something new?

MOBY
Alice Mute ****

Moby's been trying to ditch the "Christian vegan" tag, but here he's trying to reawaken the spirit of 1990s techno, with a rap that evokes the insomnia of Faithless and a beat that harks back to his bluesy dance days. It's right on target; should be the perfect theme for the next Bourne movie.

TOM BAXTER
Tell Her Today Sylvan/Chrysalis ***

Tom's been feeling the David Gray effect in Ireland, gaining a big fanbase here with his new album, Skybound. He's a class act, and this latin love shuffle will make the perfect accompaniment to that skinny Colombian latte. But watch out: by song's end you'll be doing the tango in Starbucks.

THE COURTEENERS
Not Nineteen Forever Loog/A&M ****

They are Manchester's musical heirs apparent, taking the baton from New Order, Smiths, Oasis and Doves, but they've got some bad news for those of us still trying to keep our Morrissey quiffs up long after our teens have ended. You don't have to be 19, though, to enjoy this slice of northern rock realism and join the Courteenage rampage.

MARIAH CAREY
Touch My Body Mercury **

Her new album is called E=mc2, But you don't have to be Einstein to work out that Mariah's looking to test the big bang theory in the privacy of her own love lab. "If there's a camera up in here, then I'd best not catch this flick on You- Tube," she warns. What, not even in the interests of science?