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What can I say? It's
been a week of furrowed brows, top level
management sackings and in depth investigations
here at the chart chat offices. There is a
saying in the computer business of Rubbish In
Rubbish Out and that was certainly the case.
Chart chat deploys its dedicated team of
volunteers around the clock checking music press,
record sales and forecast data in an attempt to
bring you, the reader, an accurate forecast (coupled
with the odd oppinionated column) of the
forthcoming weeks chart. This week this
clearly did not happen. I predicted
Whitney and George to rule the roost, but they
did no such thing. I can only hope this
weeks predictions will show our traditional
accuracy once more...
So who will be challenging for the
top spot? It's not easy to spot
someone who could enter at the top, but Richard
Ashcroft will be hoping to improve on his 'Song
For The Lovers' hit which peaked at number three
with the release of 'Money To Burn'. It's a
rockier and funkier follow up which showcases his
talent in a much better light than its rather
bland predcessor. It's by no means reaching
the towering standards set by 'The Drugs Don't
Work' or even 'Bittersweet Symphony' but it
stands above the rest this week and is well worth
the £2.99 or so it will cost to purchase.
If nuns are your thing (each to
their own!) then check out the crazy video to the
new single by the Eels. It's an impressive
return to form and follows closely in the path
set by 'Mr E's Beautiful Blues'. The band
recently created headlines by insisting fans at
their UK dates stayed firmly in their seats.
Well you can sit down to this if you like, but 'Flyswatter'
will certainly have your toes tapping!
Also available this week comes one
of the notable dance anthems of the summer.
Already selling very well on import is 'You See
The Trouble With Me' by Black Legend. At
the time of writing it is not clear whether this
is the records official release, but if it is
then you can bet your bottom dollar that this
will be absolutely massive in chartland as well
as club land.
I can't complete this column
without mentioning this weeks football releases.
Following hot on the heels of the official
England song 'Jerusalem' comes 'Great Escape'.
Often heard played by three out of tune drunkards
on trumpet and drums during England matches, the
famous theme song has been beefed up, remixed and
even a rap added (by none other than Ricardo Da
Force of KLF fame) but the jury is out on whether
that combination is enough to provide the England
Supporters Band with a hit song. The other
footy song out this week is a rerelease of
Collapsed Lung's 'Eat My Goal'. Initially a
double a-side with 'London Tonight' for Euro 96,
then remixed for the world cup of 1998 this is a
song best known for its feature in the well known
football cola adverts. It's a fine song,
but surely those of you who want this have it
already? Time for another song now lads!
Bouncing back this week are
Elastica (if you pardon the pun). Justine
is now famously Damonless but still has her band,
albeit with a slightly altered line up compared
to the last time the group were in the charts.
They have at least resisted the urge to cash in
on the success of Dom Joly's 'Trigger Happy TV'
by not including the theme song on either of the
two single and while it's not up to their Mark E.Smith
collaboration of last year 'How He Wrote Elastica
Man' it is nevertheless good to have them back.
Britain's unlikeliest guitar hero
Kevin Kennedy (alias Curly Watts from Coronation
Street) releases his debut single this week.
Entitled 'Bulldog Nation' its not a bad effort,
and his record company are certainly in agreement
as he has already been offered a five album deal.
It certainly puts Eastenders Sid Owen in the
shade but one only hopes this does not signal a
return to the mid 1980's when most soap stars
aside from Roly the dog had a taste of singing
stardom.
Enjoying his new found fame this
week is Moby. For some years a consistent
performer in the middle section of the charts,
the American keyboardist has now seen his 'Play'
album become a worldwide hit and this week 'Porcelain'
is yet another single taken from it. It's a
great song and one which has had plenty of
airplay backing. As such I would expect to
see another top 20 hit for Moby, while the TV and
media exposure might just push the album back to
pole position.
Finally allow me to close with
what is surely the single of the week.
Continuing his creative run outside the
boundaries of The Wedding Present comes David
Gedge's Cinerama. Following up last years 'King's
Cross' and this years 'Manhattan' was never going
to be easy, but 'Wow' certainly hits the spot.
Released on the bands own label Scopitones (number
TONECD002) this is more likely to be available
via order than across the local supermarket
counter. Don't let that put you off though,
and make the effort to place your order post
haste. I guarantee you'll be glad you did.
For those already converted to the gospel of
Cinerama, don't forget to check out my interview
with Sally from the band which is also available
on this website - just click on the menu dropdown
box.
So it's hard to see any real
change at the top this week, but there should be
at least something in the list mentioned above to
see your own collection grow. Thanks for
making this site the growing success that it is
and I will see you back here next Tuesday..
JHME Music Correspondent
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