Kevin Courtney's guide to singles, downloads and free audio streams.
JOSH RITTER, Right Moves, ***
This US singer has made all the right moves, building up a loyal following here for his big Brucey tunes and threatening to oust Irish mates Glen and Paddy in the home crowd's hearts. This tune from his new album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, will move ya and shake ya.
MESNER, Where Is Your Head At?, www.mesner.org **
We fondly remember these local guys from way back in the 1990s, particularly the free CD bag they sent out with one of their singles. They've been in the US for the past few years, and here's their comeback single. Sounds like they're still in the 1990s.
50 CENT, Ayo Technology ft Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, Shady/Aftermath/Interscope, **
In a bid to come across as less wooden, Fiddy has enlisted Timbaland and Trousersnake on this plodding tune that could do with 50,000 volts of technology to bring it to life. Even with Justin doing his sexy thing, this song would be an antidote to Viagra.
HI-TACK, Let's Dance, Gusto, *
We've had Irish singer Paula Flynn's shoegazey reworking of the Bowie chestnut, but here's a tacky remix of the song by the aptly named Dutch duo, tailored for trance kids too out of it to notice that this type of thing went out with Scooterand Eiffel 65.
KING CREOSOTE, You've No Clue Do You, 679 Recordings, ****
The folky fella from Fife can hide no longer: after releasing 25 self-made albums on his own Fence label, Kenny Anderson is about to go global with a new album ( Bombshell). Here's a hint of the man's regal songwriting skill - and his wicked way with a Cluedo pun. Hear it on www. myspace.com/kingcreosote.
GIRLS ALOUD, Sexy! No No No . . ., Polydor/Fascination, **
The most successful talent show winners around continue to strut and pout their way through pop's dizzy heights, and they're in a sexy moody. Sure, they've got the moves and style, and even (sometimes) the songs, but this one is like a fake designer handbag - fluffy and brash on the outside, nothing of substance inside.
