Kevin Courtney'sguide to singles, dowloads and free audiostreams
FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE
World Café session
****
The New Jersey powerpoppers' new album is called Traffic & Weather. Go to the NPR website, click the World Café link, and hear Adam and Chris talking about their tunes and playing exclusive versions of Fire in the Canyon, Yolanda Hayesand fab new single Someone to Love.
THE PINK SPIDERS
Little Razorblade
***
Not what you'd usually expect to hear blazing outta Nashville, The Pink Spiders are three snotty little horrors who dress in pink and black and spit out sleazy powerpop tunes like Green Day's NY Dolls- lovin' cousins. Visit www.pure volume.com/thepink spiders and hear tracks from their Ric Ocasek- produced debut album, Teenage Graffitti.
LONEY, DEAR
I Am John
***
This tiny teenage opera may sound like I'm from Barcelona packed into a Mini with Broken Social Scene, but it's the work of one solitary man, Swedish singer- songwriter Emil Svanangen. If the forlorn warble doesn't get you, then the Beatlesque B-side, Warm, Dark, Comforting Night, will.
MIKA
Love Today
**
He's hogged the No 1 slot with debut single Grace Kelly, but Mika still wants our love. So here's another falsetto fandango that's sure to follow his debut to the top slot. At last: a worthy successor to Leo Sayer!
BEYONCÉ AND SHAKIRA
Beautiful Liar
**
Can you handle it - the child of destiny and the latina lovergirl join forces for this slinky, Eastern-flavoured tune that's guaranteed to heat things up south of the border. Lie to me again, girls!