This week’s Music Video Lounge comes to you on the back of a week of musical tragedy with the demise of the real Sugababes and the sad news that Dave is leaving Chas. Sad times, but comfort yourself with the fact that we’ll always have Snooker Loopy. But life goes on, singles are released, videos are made - this week from the likes of Natalie Imbruglia, Sliimy, Jade Ewan, Fanfarlo and Alice In Chains…
Natalie Imbruglia - Want
Her album may have been pushed back till next year, but her new single Want is ploughing on and the accompanying video sees Ms Imbruglia in a constant state of undress, writhing around on a big white bed clutching at walls, pulling on her lip and generally doing everything she can to express how sexy she is. She doesn’t need to try too hard though because ever since the Torn video, Natalie’s love affair with the camera has been clear. This comeback single has understated elegance even though it was written by Chris Martin, but if you watch the video it merely blends into the background as Natalie’s beauty caresses the camera. Solid track and you nearly see her nips a few times too…
Sliimy - Wake Up
Question - do we need another Mika? Answer - er, no. But that hasn’t stopped Perez Hilton launching his new act Sliimy into the world, replete with this playground-pleasing single Wake Up. The video seems as though it’s been lifted direct from Tony Hart’s Gallery circa 1984 with Morph about to rise from the dead and walk on set stage left. Add in vacuous lyrics and a truly grating background ringtone-style riff that made me want to pull the veins from my arms and strangle myself with them and you have the definition of annoyance. Bound to be a hit then.
Fanfarlo - The Walls Are Coming Down
This lot are building up quite a following and it’s easy to see why with their easy melodies and tight musicianship. They might want to look more closely at their fashion sense however, seeming to style themselves on Dexys Midnight Runners, replete with footstamping and Hovis-evoking shirts and braces. Focus on the music though and this is a beautifully crafted tune that’ll make your ears flush with excitement - there’s even a spot of fiddly-dee thrown in for good measure. Focus on the video and you’ll see a fella dangling upside down above the band throughout escaping Houdini style from a straight jacket. No, we’re not sure of the relevance to the song either, but it’s original right?
Alice In Chains - Check My Brain
With a grinding beat that winds itself slowly around your brain like a lazy python from the start, Seattle grunge-rockers Alice In Chains are into their groove from the off on this new single singing about California being OK really so long as you remember to pay attention to your grey matter. The video is all mood lighting (ie none), the fellas sport black and long hair as is their want and even though this isn’t what RealMusic Blog normally has on our office stereo, after the relentlessly upbeat rainbow-coloured pop on offer right now, some dirty downbeat grunge is a welcome relief.
Jade Ewen - My Man
We’re sure that Jade Ewen’s put spadefuls of effort into her new single, chewing each note between her sparkling teeth in a bid to ensure it’s a hit. Her record company haven’t really wound up the hype machine on it though, but could that have been because they knew that other plans were afoot? This week it was announced that former Eurovision contestant Jade was replacing Keisha in the new US-friendly version of the Sugababes - so what will become her solo career? Is she multi-tasking as only women can? We wait to see. For the moment though, Jade’s been scrubbed until she shines for this video, all lip gloss and ironed hair as she wails about her man being the best. Saccharine and hard to get excited about.
(Clare Lydon)
