Singles

Latest CD releases reviewed

THE STREETS
Never Went to Church Locked On ***

Hymnsheets out for the lads - cheeky old Mike Skinner has roped in a gospel choir for this agnostic anthem about the death of a loved one, and how it might shake up your (dis)belief system. He's speaking words of wisdom over a piano line that evokes The Beatles' Let it Be.

GOO GOO DOLLS
Better Days Warner Bros **

With a name like Goo Goo Dolls, these Buffalo, NY guys just gotta be sleazy rock 'n' roll scuzzballs, amped up on Sonic Youth and Velvet Underground. Right? Wrong. This actually sounds like Keane covering Dave Matthews Band and earns the GGDs the this week's misleading band name of the week aaward.

THE FLAWS
Out Tonight Sound Foundation Recordings ****

These diamond geezers from Monaghan are giving away their new single as a free download (www.theflaws.com) and even offering a CD to record it on, complete with artwork (available at their gigs - check Ticket listings). And it's a fine, post-punked up tune to boot. The Flaws - generous to a fault.

HUNDRED REASONS
The Perfect Gift V2 ***

Always bubbling under but never erupting, these London lads are keeping the emocore flame burning - this track from their new album, Kill Your Own, may be far from perfect, but it's another reason to be hopeful for Britrock's future.

FIGHTSTAR
Hazy Eyes Sandwich Leg Records **

When he was in Busted, Charlie Simpson did catchy songs about looking up teacher's skirt and going into the future to get off with your great-great-granddaughter. Now, in Fightstar, he does tuneless songs about, uh, feeling bad. This is progress?

DEPECHE MODE
John the Revelator/Lilian Mute ****

Hallelujah - here's a slice of electro gospel from Dave Gahan and the boys, based on a trad tune and filled with medieval moog sounds. The other A-side is a nice, creepy Gothic love song that - as usual - ends in blood.

MARIAH CAREY
Say Somethin' feat Snoop Dogg Mercury **

Mimi and Snoop talk dirty on this slinky r&b lounge tune, Pharrell Williams adds some bling, and David Morales puts in a few grinding club beats. Ooh, it's getting hot in herre.