Stacks 'n Stacks: The Weekly Singles Round-Up

"Skip to the End," The Futureheads
mp3 at Muzak For Cybernetics

Though I discovered it long after its release, The Futureheads' 2004 debut was played rather heavily on my iPod. With an exciting blend of garage rock production smoothed over with New Wave power pop, the Futureheads separated themselves from your average run-of-the-mill "the" band. The question is - can they distinguish themselves again while not simply creating a winning formula. If "Skip to the End" is any indication, these boys seem to be on the right track. Though its verses are rather simple (a funny tale about how one should look into the future to see how it all will end before having an affair), the chorus is what asserts itself. With some catchy na-na-nas tightly harmonized, the band seems to be referencing the 1980's just a bit more. I personally don't have a problem with that. 3.5

"Impossible," Kanye West featuring Twista and Keyshia Cole
mp3 at Muzak For Cybernetics

Getting new Kanye West music is like getting a Christmas present, but I was none too excited to find out that one of my favorite artists would be doing the theme for a piece of Tom Cruise captitalist crap. But, hey, I give everything a fair shot. The song is slightly subversive in that it is so downtempo, you wonder how it could possibly be for an action movie, but aside from that, it's a complete throwaway. West's presence is not particularly strong on the record, he phones in the third verse while dishing out half the chorus a few times - "I wanna hear that official shit/Kanye and that Twista shit." The hook - sung by Cole - is your rather generic R&B, Twista's raps are what you would probably expect from Twista, and the sample is not used as creatively as, say, every sample used on College Dropout. I'll skip this one and instead enjoy repeat listens of "Slow Jamz" - that good Kanye and Twista shit. 2

"Steady As She Goes" (acoustic version), the Raconteurs
free download at iTunes

Back in January, I fell head-over-heels for the Raconteurs' debut single, "Steady, as She Goes." A big part of that was the full-band sound that seemed to reference the past while laying ground for the future - the lyrics were simply secondary. Some of that is lost in the acoustic version, and the basic lyrics tend to stand out a bit more. That being said, Am I not obsessed with Jack White's every move? Do I not get a thrill from live versions, acoustic versions and remixes? I certainly do. 3.5

"Dimensions," Wolfmother

On the subject of Jack White, that man really did start a revolution when he managed to land "Fell in Love With a Girl" on modern rock radio. Not only did he open the door for garage/indie-ish bands to gain the same acceptance, he let artists know that enjoying the sounds of Black Sabbath and AC/DC was no crime either. First, came the Darkness and the Eagles of Death Metal - bands claiming to simply want to rock, while not copping to the obvious sense of humour. Now, come Wolfmother - a rock band with that late seventies influence that seems to take things a bit more seriously. The only real problem I have with "Dimensions" is that it may wear its influences on its sleeve just a tad too much. Its also rather flawless, however, and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been playing it over and over again. 4

"Fidelity," Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor's latest single hovers somewhere in space between Fiona Apple and Dido (with just a pich of Nellie McKay) - she's radio friendly, but not primed for the elevator. With its drum machine beats and violin plucks, "Fidelity" is rather catchy - especially the chorus in which Spektor really flexes her vocal muscle. It's very well likely that you'll hear it next to your standard pop, but it is certainly going to stand out. (Spektor's latest album hits stores in June). 3

"Beautiful Love," The Afters

Theme song to MTV's 8th and Ocean does not quite have the addictive, get-stuck-in-your-head-like-a-migraine punch of that Hillary Duff song they play at the beginning of Laguna Beach. It will still probably get in your brain, but its a tad bland for my taste with a bit too much of that "tinnish" overproduced sound. There's potential for a pop radio hit in there, but the Afters really need to take a few more cues from the Click 5 if they want an extended stay on TRL. Either way, there's plenty of room on mainstream radio. 1.5.

"Sing Me Spanish Techno" (video) the New Pornographers

My favorite song off of Twin Cinema gets the indie short treatment. Well, not quite ... but almost. 3