JHME - Chart Chat

It's a successful formula that the girls have and 'Bootilicious' is more of the same. The song utilizes a Stevie Nicks guitar sample - I bet she never thought she would end up on anything this funky! The album has returned to the top spot in the UK and it really does seem that the girls can do no wrong. Certainly my favorites for number one on Sunday.

Fighting it out as underdogs in the British corner are Atomic Kitten. They were thrust into the spotlight with 'Whole Again' being a massive hit all over Europe. Things had looked terminal for the group when 'Follow Me' only made number twenty last year but somehow they have become mainstream starts overnight. 'Eternal Flame' is a brave cover version but without wishing to sound cliched the girls have managed to put their own stamp on the Bangles classic. It has certainly received a lot of airplay, and even Prince Charles was impressed when the girls performed it at Party in the Park. I don't think it will be number one, but I think it should cement them as favourites in the world of pop for a little while longer.

Hear'say have shown it is no bad thing to appear on a TV series about how a band is manufactured. Another band who believe in the same thing are 'Making The Band's O-Town who release the follow up to the suggestively titled 'Liquid Dreams' this week. Entitled 'All Or Nothing' the song is pretty much a power ballad with vocals which might suggest that there is more than just pretty faces behind these boys. Unlikely to be challenging for top honours but a place in the top ten would suit them just fine.

R.E.M. have been going for a long time - a lot longer than people imagine. My favorite song of theirs dates back to 1984, and if you trace them back to the very beginning then the band have lasted almost twenty years. Their new album is viewed by many as a return to the form which they held around the release of 'Automatic For The People', and this week sees the second release from the album - 'All The Way To Reno (You're Gonna Be A Star)'. Much slower than the uptempo 'Imitation Of Life' this may struggle to make the top ten as it is possibly a fans only release. 'Yellow River' is the extra track on the CD single and with a DVD CD released as well I can recommend it strongly. Top twenty at best though.

Kids TV has menaced the pop charts on and off for years. From The Wombles back in the 1970's through the Teletubbies in the 1990's, crossing over into a non record buying audience can prove lucrative. Now it seems we have a two pronged attack with Bob The Builder ready to attack Victoria Beckham and Michael Jackson head on on 3rd September with his version of 'Mambo No. 5' while this week sees the release of 'Do the Lollipop' from The Tweenies. I can't honestly review this as a proper musical song, but this is likely to bring pleasure to many a small child so it can't be all bad. Another top twenty hit I suspect.

Having loitered in the wings for a little while Catatonia return this week to reclaim their Welsh pop crown. Their last couple of releases had disappointing peaks with their last effort dipping short of the top thirty. 'Stone By Stone' is much better though although it is not quite the material which they were capable of around the release of the 'International Velvet' album. Hard to guess where this will enter but I suspect it will make it top twenty if not quite top ten.

One of the best indie bands around at the minute have to be Cosmic Rough Riders who are the latest carriers of the jangly guitar sound which has proved so popular over the last thirty years. Their new single is 'Revolution (In The Summertime)' and it is everything you would expect from a top quality guitar band. This sort of song sits well with the sun beating down on England in the Summertime and with the weather turning good again this is the kind of feelgood tune which could be part of the soundtrack to the Summer. Their first top forty hit, but only just.

Black Crowes were probably most famous for their 'Hard to Handle' single but after touring with Oasis in the US they are now back ready for a second attack on the UK record buying public. It's almost as if they haven't been away as 'Soul Singing' is very much the sort of blues / rock combination which got them noticed in the first place. Chris Robinson is a formidable front man and this could well see the band score their first top forty hit since 'Wiser Time' made number 34 back in 1995.

Black Legend topped the charts this time last year with their ambitious cover of Barry White's 'You See The Trouble With Me' and now have finally opted to follow it up with 'Somebody'. Sampling First Choice's Salsoul classic 'Dr Love' to good effect they manage to combine that with another deep White-esque vocal and the overall effect is very impressive indeed. I don't think for a minute that this will challenge the success they had with 'You See The Trouble With Me' but it will certainly be massive in the clubs. Top twenty for certain and maybe just into the top ten.

Finally this week a look further into the future. I have been in Europe this week and while away one or two songs caught my eye which I expect to cross over into the UK very soon. 'Miss California' by Dante Thomas looks set to be massive, while the novelty hit of the summer could easily go to Hermes House Band with their cover of 'Country Roads' - that particular song is currently top five in Germany. Also catching my eye are Uncle Kracker whose soft rock anthem 'Follow Me' is doing well while it seems even Right Said Fred could be set for a comeback with 'Mojive'. Keep an eye out for those songs and don't forget who told you about them first!

Next week sees the return of Crazy Town, Depeche Mode, Geri Halliwell and Janet Jackson not to mention the excellent Raven Maize so it should be a good week.

Well I have to conclude that Robbie's reign is almost at an end and that it will be Destiny's Child who win the battle of the girl bands on Sunday. As much as I'd like to back British I have to go with my gut instinct and back who I think will win. See you in seven days to discuss exactly what did happen when the sales got totted up!