Eoin Butler'sguide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

BRITNEY SPEARS

If U Seek Amy  Jive **

Word is that this track from Britney’s Circus album will have to be re-titled If You See Amy before it can get a single release. Why? Because some spoilsports reckon the original wording is actually a coded invitation to . . . oh, work it out for yourselves. (Cryptic in print, the “hidden” meaning is very obvious and rather crass when you hear the words sung.)

VILLAGERS

The Meaning of the Ritual Any Other City ****

Astonishingly soulful and mature, this taster from ex-Immediate man Conor O'Brien's forthcoming Hollow Kind EP would appear to announce the arrival of a very promising new talent. Check it out at www.nialler9.com.

PETE DOHERTY

Last of the English Roses ***

Early signs from Doherty’s debut solo album, recorded with Blur guitarist Graham Coxon and producer Stephen Street, are reasonably positive. But half a decade after the demise of the Libertines, it’s hard to avoid the suspicion that these are the last dregs of a once burgeoning talent being slowly pissed away.

THE VIEW

Covers 1965 Records ***

Broadcaster John Kelly and a panel of guests cast an eye over the week’s cultural and . . . sorry, sorry, my mistake. Back it up there Josephine. Scottish indie rockers The View, rather, join forces with cheesy rawk hunk Paolo Nutini on this likeable, offbeat duet.

COLDPLAY

Life in Technicolour II Island **

The misguided assumption behind this video seems to be that if a marionette version of Coldplay crashed a village fête and performed this track, those in attendance would be aghast at the band’s raucous rock stylings. But Chris Martin is hardly GG Allin. In reality, that vicar would likely be a huge fan.

THE DAYS

No Ties Atlantic **

Summer just around the corner? These Devon lads seem to think so. The Days combine the soulless pop sheen of McFly, the mindless pack mentality of Oasis and the garish sartorial sensibilities of Club Tropicana- era Wham. That much I can overlook. But why is the singer wearing a tie on the CD cover? The song is called No Ties!