Pop Buzz UK

Here is my pick of this week’s new single chart releases in the UK. Obviously this isn’t every song that’s coming out but it gives a cross section of songs, both from home-grown artists and the big American sellers. Here are the videos, as always, courtesy of YouTube. In a new weekly feature, I have also included my ratings of said songs. Enjoy…

Badly Drawn Boy - A Journey From A To B - Rating 3/5

Charlotte Hatherley - I Want You To Know - Rating 4/5

Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape - Rating 3/5

The Killers - Read My Mind - Rating 4/5

Take That - Shine - Rating 5/5

The Pigeon Detectives - Romantic Type - Rating 4/5

Badly Drawn Boy, Journey From A To B, Charlotte Hatherley, I want You To Know, Gwen Stefani, The Sweet Escape, The Killers, Read My Mind, Take That, Shine, The Pigeon Detectives, Romantic Type, UK, Chart, New Release

It was a long time coming but finally, the biggest show on US TV has finally hit the UK airwaves. Heroes debuted on the Sci-Fi channel on Sky and Cable TV on Monday. Even though the Americans are up to episode 16 already, us Brits have had to wait until now to see what’s been touted as “the next Lost”.

For those few who don’t know anything about the show, this hit drama follows ordinary people with extraordinary powers. During the series, characters from all walks of life discover that they have individual super powers, such as teleportation, time travel and flight. Over time, these people become aware that they are not alone, and must unite to save the world. That’s it in a nutshell but obviously the plot twists and turns and is even more convaluted than Lost if that’s possible. (more…)

It’s time for my pick of this week’s new single releases here in the UK, and this week sees some beauties. All courtesy of YouTube of course so without further ado…

We start with the Kaiser Chiefs new song ‘Ruby’, the first to be released from the album ‘Yours Truly, Angry Mob’ which is released next Monday. The Leeds band will be hoping to recapture the success of first album ‘Employment’ which gave us such modern classics as ‘Every Day I Love You less And Less’ and ‘I Predict A Riot’. I think ‘Ruby’ is a great comeback single, and pure pop. They haven’t changed their sound significantly but enout to give fans something to chew on.

Next up is American beauty and god’s gift to men Beyonce with ‘Listen’ from the album ‘B-Day’. Despite the name of the album always bugging me because of it’s similarity to bidet, I think Beyonce is growing all the time as a solo artist and performer. This single shows off her voice to the nth degree and just cements her place at the top of the female divas list. (more…)

This is the excellent new single and video from Bloc Party called ‘The Prayer’…

They are one of, if not the best British bands of this century, and this song, the first off their new album, carries on where they left off with ‘Silent Alarm’, The album of 2005. This single came out in the UK yesterday and I’m praying (geddit) it does well in the charts so the band get the recognition they so throughly deserve. This new album, and first single with it seems very natural, with the same style but an increase in skill and maturity coupled with it. I’ll be doing a full review of the album ‘A Weekend In The City’ after a good few listens. But for now as I can’t resist, here’s my favourite single and video by the band…

Pioneers

Bloc Party, The Prayer, Bloc Party - The Prayer, Silent Alarm, A Weekend In The City

This is the new single by the British vocal pop group Keane, and it’s a cracker! Called ‘Bad Dream’, it’s out in the UK next Monday the 22nd of January. I love it, and the album it comes from which is ‘Under The Iron Sea’, the group’s 2nd studio album, which was released last year. (more…)

I reported a while back about Channel 4 losing the rights to ‘Lost’ to Sky and replacing it with ‘Ugly Betty’. Well those rumours are now confirmed with sneak peeks and previews of the show being aired in Channel 4 ad breaks over the last few days. From what I’ve seen it looks quite good, although it’s hardly a fit replacement for ‘Lost’ in my eyes. I don’t even think the viewers will necessarily the same, this attracting a more ‘Friends’ crowd. (more…)

A new British film opened in the UK last Friday December 1st. ‘London To Brighton’ is an urban thriller from acclaimed new British writer & director Paul Andrew Williams. Set in the twin towns of London and Brighton (a modern seaside resort an hour away from the capital), it’s the story of a young prostitute and an underage girl she’s trying to protect. Chased by her pimp, the film follows 24 hours in their lives while they try to get away from a premature death. Watch the trailer below… (more…)

The new Bond film Casino Royale had it’s world premiere tonight, to a star studded celebrity audience. We’re not talking about Big Brother wannabes with their norks on display either. The Queen and Prince Philip were in attendance to give Bond’s tagline “On her majesty’s secret service� some credence.

The star of the show tonight in London’s Leicester Square, and the film, was Daniel Craig. The suave and sophisticated British actor and new Bond put on a dazzling display to show why he was picked to be the new face of the world’s favourite spy. This is his first Bond film, and is based on the first ever Bond novel of the same name, written by Ian Fleming and published in 1953. (more…)

As Lost Season 3’s 6 episode mini series comes to an end in the U.S., fans of the show in Britain are preparing for the premiere and episode 1 this week on Sky.

The mini 13-week break for the series in the states is an interesting decision taken by the makers of the show. Intended to ease the woes and frustration felt for the first 2 years of the show, it won’t stop the winter break being a long and painful haul for the passionate fans. The show ended last Wednesday with the episode “I Do” and won’t return to ABC until Wednesday February 7th. Meanwhile, British fans are just now gearing up for episode 1 of Season 3 starting on Sunday 17th November on Sky’s flagship channel Sky One. (more…)

Borat: The Movie or Cultural Learnings of America for make benefit glorious nation of Kazakhstan to give it it’s full, hilarious but convoluted title is finally out on November 3rd. It’s one of those films I knew nothing about, then heard rumblings and then the anticipation and buzz around it grew and grew. Now I can’t wait to see it. So much so that I felt the need to watch one of the trailers of the film which have turned up on You Tube. (more…)