David Stubbs reviews the singles of the week, 6th May 1989
February 20, 2010
Stubbs is, as always, very good value in these reviews. Interesting to note Stubbs take on the Motown resurections of Sam Brown. One can only wonder what Mr. Agreeable would have thought of Amy Winehouse. It would be great if I could compile Spotify playlists for all the tracks featured in these singles of the week review posts but sadly it’s really hard to find more than 50% of the tracks featured. That said, given Stubbs reviews of most of the records here, maybe that’s a good thing? Well I’ve grabbed what I can so judge for yourself (if you have Spotify) here’s the Singles of the week, 6th May 1989 playlist. Yes, the Robert Palmer track is fucking dreadful.
p.s. I’ve got that Telescopes single on 12″
p.p.s. I saw It Bites live around ’87 and the 16 year old me was very impressed by the guitar skills of the singer *hangs head in shame*
Mick Mercer reviews the singles of the week, 9th December 1989.
Reviewing these singles takes me back and my, what breadth of content on this page. From the mainstream pap of Bros, Brother Beyond and their ilk, a fading Duran Duran, the big hitters like Billy Joel and Bon Jovi to the obscurest indie Metal Monkey Machine and eveything inbetween to Van Morrison with Cliff fucking Richard!
All About Eve took the single of the week honours with a song that isn’t Martha’s Harbour, possibly because they hadn’t written it yet – I can’t be bothered to look it up but I feel they will be *so* pleased to see some retrospective recognition for *any* of their other songs.
It seems like a good time to drop this link to a nostalgic Guardian article and list compilation, where Johnny Dee asks
Knock yourselves out.
[AMP trolling Jennings…AMP trolling Jennings]
If Taylor wanted to punch his face in when he saw his old Singles of the Week column photo then Jennings will surely be searching his house trying to find his knuckledusters when he sees this.
Not much else to say except that I agree with single of the week. Love the Clouds Taste Metallic album that This Here Giraffe comes from. Remember discussing the album rather drunkenly with Brian Molko at a showbiz party I somehow found myself at back in 1997…the preceding track is called Placebo Headwound fact fans! And then I asked him for some Rizlas and, very graciously he obliged, although did question why I needed 3. Hmmm…
Have also added a scan of the Fiddling While Romo Burns tour dates to the Plastic Fantastic interview which I came across inside this issue. There’s been a few, pretty lengthy comments added since it first went up so if you’re interested the link to the post is here.
He’s a lumberjack and he’s ok. He drinks all night and he reviews all day. Everett True reviews the singles of the week, 11th December 1993.
Listening to Adoration by The Cranes on Spotify and loving it. What are you doing?
Melody Maker singles of the year 1988
September 13, 2008
Melody Maker singles of the year 1988.
Got lots to say but no time right now. A few points on the above.
You Made Me Realise should be No.1 and Freak Scene should be No.2
Although you’re most likely to hear Crash as the soundtrack to a compilation of home movies it is a *great* pop single and should be higher.
The Young Gods inexplicably make the charts. I never got them and I know I wasn’t the only one. Someone commented a while back about how they seemed like an elaborate practical joke, as if Stubbs and co. had had a pub bet between themselves that they could break even the most difficult, avant-nonsense group. I think bovine masses got it right on this occasion.
Thanks again to the Idolator for the traffic spike. Thanks to everyone that emailed too – it’s really nice to hear from everyone.
I have to get ready for a 40th birthday party now, not mine quite yet, but fucking hell….40!
Singles reviewed by Andrew Mueller, 18th March 1995
July 19, 2008
I’m not going to say anything about the photo. Nope, nothing.
Singles reviewed by James Brown. Taken from the N.M.E. 23rd March 1991.
Came across this after talking about Loaded in a previous post.
For those that don’t know, before James Brown became “the creator of Loaded, instigator of laddism, award-winning editor and the man who revolutionised men’s magazines…” he used to work at N.M.E. However, the above quote goes on to say “….has parted company with GQ after a serious lapse in taste and some disappointing sales figures.”
The serious lapse of taste in question being his glorification of Rommel and the Nazis. His prodigious and out of control coke habit didn’t help matters either. Read the full story about him getting fired in this piece from The Independent 1999.
Disappointingly it turned out to be just a small set-back as he went on to form his own publishing company, which he then sold in 2003 for £6.4m. “Good work fella!” as he himself might have put it at one time.
Presumably Alex James now invites him over to his country house, where, over an organic cheese plate, they both reminese about the follies of their youth, whilst smuggly patting themselves on the back for behaving like class-A cocks yet still managing to come away from it all smelling of roses.
Archived Music Press 