Kevin Courtney's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams
YOAV Beautiful Lie ***
Pop's latest first-name favourite is a globetrotting Israeli singer- songwriter-guitarist who blends folk club with nightclub, reminding you of midnight campfires and sunrises at Café Del Mar. But wait, what's that cloud? It's Mika, flouncing off in a flurry of talcum powder.
Wonderland Download Me wonderlandnet www.myspace.com/wonderlandnet *
Log on, ladies - these home boys have a big hard drive, and they wanna get giga wit' u. This not-so-subtly punning number is free to download. OK, you wouldn't actually pay money for the load of whatever, but you have to admire their give-it-the-lash attitude.
THE KYBOSH Fly By Night www.thekybosh.com/flybynight **
This Dublin band's debut single crashed the charts at No 48 - the words "big", "swinging" and "mickey" come to mind. This is available as a free download; maybe they're keeping the good songs for later. Catch them at next weekend's Hard Working Class Heroes fest; let's hope they work harder on the songwriting.
FALL OUT BOY I'm Like a Lawyer (Me & You) Mercury **
"We're the new face of failure." These nerdy fellas were once the cinderellas of the emo bunch, but their winning loser schtick has made them kings of the castle. Here's another geek-gets-girl anthem that'll have all the good-looking people rushing out to buy big specs and get their cowlicks patted down.
DUKE SPECIAL Our Love Goes Deeper Than This feat Neil Hannon and Romeo Stodart V2 ****
How deep is your love? Peter Wilson really needs to know, so he's persuaded his not-so-old chums from The Divine Comedy and The Magic Numbers to join him in this fab indie cabaret. Sounds like it takes three to tango.
JOSH PYKE Sew My Name Island **
Some rock stars like to daub their name in blood; this Aussie singer- songwriter prefers embroidery to get his point across. We loved his last single, Middle of the Hill, but this one feels a bit threadbare. He may have the stitching analogy all sewn up but, let's face it, it's not exactly The Needle and the Damage Done, now is it?
