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It seems I owe my editor a drink
after he correctly predicted three out of the top
five last week. Oasis and Atomic Kitten let
him down although surely only Noel Gallagher
would have predicted a rise in chart placings for
'Sunday Morning Call'!
Summer's are rarely the most
inspiration time for music and the lull in major
releases can often leave a big gun alone at the
top for some weeks. Bryan Adams and Wet Wet
Wet will both testify to this theory!
Whether Ronan Keating can be the first act in six
weeks to make it two in a row at the top of the
chart remains to be seen but I have to say the
Gods are looking favourably on him this week.
Among the most likely acts to make
life tough for the likeable Irishman are Destiny's
Child who release 'Jumping Jumping' this week.
They have steadily grown in popularity despite
major changes in personnel and this looks likely
to dent the top five. These ladies are not
just another group of would be soul diva's - they
are the soul diva's for the new millenium.
After last weeks odd couple of
Shaun Ryder and opera singer Russell Watson comes
boy band of the minute Five and classic rockers
Queen. Queen is probably a generous title
as it is really only Roger Taylor and Brian May
who join the boys on this one but there is enough
of the riff to make them some nice bundles of
cash in royalties. Too many singles from
the 'Invincible' album suggest to me that this
will be edged out when the sales are counted next
Sunday morning but the charts are becoming less
predictable so don't write them off just yet.
Following an absence of two years
divided between assuming wifely duties to husband
Jamie Redknapp and writing and recording her new
'Elbow beach' album, Louise is back with her new
single entitled '2 Faced'. An attack on
those who bitch against her this is not quite in
the same league as 'Naked' or 'Arms Around The
World'. That said she has a big enough army
of fans (myself included) to see her enjoying top
ten success again so expect an entry somewhere
between 6 and 10 for this one.
Not quite top ten regulars but
certainly resident in the top twenty are Savage
Garden. They cleverly appeal to just enough
fans outside the normal record buying public to
make what are unassuming reasonably dull songs
chart at flattering positions. 'Affirmation'
is a fairly standard song for them that will make
pleasant radio listening on a sunny Sunday
afternoon but which will fade to obscurity over
the passage of time. Top twenty at a push,
guaranteed top thirty.
Following a hugely successful
comeback (if that is a right word for a legend
who has entertained us for over 30 years) gig at
Glastonbury David Bowie releases 'Survive', the
third track to be taken from his wonderful '...Hours'
album. It's available on three different CD
singles comprising various live, demo and remix
versions so fans alone should push this into the
top 40. It's not quite in the same bracket
as 'Thursday's Child' but worthy of a purchase
none the less. If you have been impressed
with the singles then check out the album- I
personally recommend it!
Following a twelve month gap since
'Sweet Like Chocolate' topped the charts, Shanks
and Bigfoot return with 'Sing A Long'. As
with David Bowie, Louise and even Savage Garden
they are capable of better but the backing of
substantial club airplay guarantees this a high
berth in next weeks chart.
Finally we should mention Brian
and the Placebo boys who release their new single
'Taste In Men' this week. As with Boy
George so many years ago the gender bending angle
creates some degree of controversy along with a
fair amount of intrigue but following the heights
of 'Nancy Boy' in 1997 the whole thing has become
a little tedious and boring. The last
album showed touches of form but this just does
not cut the ice with me.
Next week sees a rare high point
in the Summer release calender with the
surprisingly good 'When The World Is Running Down'
by Different Gear versus The Police. Surely
anyone of my twenty something generation will be
glad to see The Police back in the charts even if
it is via a remix. Teenage girls everywhere
will welcome another chapter in the Craig David
success story while more mature listeners will
look forward to the new Santana offering 'Maria
Maria'.
So Ronan to hold on? It may
get tight at the top but he has all the
credentials to make it a second week at number
one.
JHME Music Correspondent
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