Kevin Courtney's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams
SHIRLEY BASSEY Get the Party Started ***
La Bassey has had a brilliant golden year so far, performing at Glastonbury and revamping this Pink song for the cocktail party generation. Now in her 70s, Dame Shirley is still sounding powerful, but this one still doesn't top her magnificent Propeller- heads collaboration, History Repeating.
FALL OUT BOY The Take Over, the Breaks Over Mercury**
They are the kings of the dorky teenage punk-pop anthem, and here's another one with a long- winded title that should keep Pete Wentz and his boys firmly positioned at the back of the class. What does it all mean? I dunno, and I doubt the fans know or care either.
RAZORLIGHT Hold On Vertigo **
Congratulations! You are the one millionth song with the title Hold On. Johnny Borrell & Co have turned stadium-rock strutting into an Olympic sport, and this Ocean Colour Scene-type tune is tailor- made to fill stadiums across the globe.
MR HUDSON & THE LIBRARY Picture of You Mercury ***
There's a touch of Cole Porter in this gentle, wistful interlude from lonely librarian Ben Hudson, but also a modern taste of melancholy in such lines as, "Imagine that, getting paid to sing". It's from the rather fine debut album, A Tale of Two Cities. Hear the track on their bookish website, www.mrhudsonandthe library.com.
OCEAN COLOUR SCENE I Just Got Over You Absolute ***
The Britpop stalwarts don't seem to want to fade away just yet, but while this Welleresque track walks all over Razorlight, methinks the Brummie rockers are relegated to the 1990s nostalgia league. Still, we like the Zeppish, acoustic Little Boy Could Be a Rolling Stone.
PRINCE Guitar NPG ***
His Royal Purpleness gets pervier by the day - here's a naughty song about his first love, a sleek, six- stringed beauty that he just can't stop plugging in and turning on. Prince will be making sweet music with it for 21 nights at the O2 arena in London - that's one hot, sexy ticket.
THE THRILLS Nothing Changes Around Here Virgin ***
Last time round, the Blackrock Beach Boys learned the hard way that no one cares whatever happened to Corey Haim. This time, they're going back to the catchy, niggling melodies of One Horse Town and Santa Cruz, and you'll hate yourself for singing along. The song is from their new album, Teenager. Visit www.the thrills.com for a free live track, Good Intentions Rust.
