EOIN BUTLER's guide to downloads, singles and free audio streams
MATT CARDLE
When We CollideSyco
After losing out to Rage Against the Machine in the race for last year’s Christmas No 1 slot, X Factor bosses may have been hoping to recast the show’s image as a kitsch karaoke contest this year when they selected a song written by a bunch of scruffy Scottish rockers and performed by a retired window cleaner who bears more than a passing resemblance to playwright Patrick Marber. Will that be enough to stop any of these young gunslingers seizing their moment?
CAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
4’33” **
This year’s tiresome anti-X Factor spoiler effort features – or (more accurately) doesn’t feature – the combined talents of The Kooks, Orbital, Enter Shikari, Dan Le Sac, Scroobius Pip, Suggs and (by phone) Billy Bragg. I must have downloaded a defective version, because all I can hear is the sound of Simon Cowell’s teeth grinding.
RUBBERBANDITS
Horse Outside ****
Santa will arrive in style this Christmas if he rides with Limerick’s all-conquering comedy heroes. The warning that precedes Niall and Amanda’s wedding video states that the following presentation is “intended for a mature audience”. But is it? Is it really? itunes.com
THE POPICAL ISLAND SHOWBAND
The High Line, Popical Island ***
The rickety tune from the Dublin indie label’s six- track Christmas EP features 20 musicians, including two drummers, five guitarists, brass, violins and “a rake of” percussionists. The neighbours may complain, but I’m afraid Simon Cowell probably isn’t losing any sleep, alas.
BLACK EYED PEAS
The Time (Dirty Bit)Interscope *
The lead single from the Peas' new album consists of the chorus of the execrable (I've Had) The Time of My Lifefrom Dirty Dancing, with a pulsating beat looped over it and some idiot shouting the words "dirty bit" at irregular intervals for no discernable reason. Incarcerated al-Qaeda suspects: welcome to the sound of 2011.
