50
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The Dandy Warhols - We Used To Be Friends
Artist link: 4
Quite a brave move, this. The Dandy's abandoning country tinged rock music in favour of electro-pop? Well, if you're going to do it, it's probably not a bad idea to have someone of the calibre of Duran Duran's John Taylor behind the desk. Yet this primal offering retains much of what makes the Dandy Warhols a firm alternative favourite, Courtney Taylor's breathy vocals and their love of ladening on the harmonies on the chorus. And all carried out with such effortless aplomb that you don't even cringe at the synth handclaps chucked in to complete the 80's revival sound.
Jason M
No of votes: 6, Score:
41, Highest vote: 3rd
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49
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Starsailor - Silence Is Easy
Artist link:43
The people at Starsailor's record company must have been bricking it upon hearing the news of Phil Spector. No matter what the new material sounded like, people are going to recall that the producer is on trial for murderer, and that's bound to take the shine out of your record. Still, in terms of production values, there is certainly not much of the famous Spector wall of sound to be heard here, but it would sit out of place in Starsailor's world anyway - inspite of everything else, you have to give Spector credit for retaining the intensity in their songs.
Jason M
No of votes: 6, Score:
42, Highest vote: 1st
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48
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The Thrills - Big Sur
Before The Darkness brought pomp back to the alternative market, there was a small period at the start of the year where folk were being won over by a fairly innocuous jangly pop song called "One Horse Town". Rumours started to circulate about how The Thrills were going to be big. And when "Big Sur" duly arrived on the airwaves in time for summer, you had to say the timing was spot on. It's all the things a pop song should be: simple, clean, so damn easy going that you could take it to your granny knowing she'd thoroughly approve. If you'd have taken her to see them live, mind you, the energetic (and expletive laden) set might have convince her otherwise........
Jason M
No of votes: 6, Score:
44, Highest vote: 1st
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47
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Girls Aloud - No Good Advice
Artist link: 12  13  13  18 24  26
"I don't need no good advice, I'm already wasted…" An anthem for teenage girls to tell their parents where to get off? Well almost. The follow up to their smash hit number one Sound of the Underground, No Good Advice has an upbeat, up yours attitude and a catchy, lively sound. The video is a showcase for Nadine, Cheryl, Sarah, Nicole & Kimberley's pouting lips and lovely young limbs (even if they are encased in metallic PVC). After a rocky start Girls Aloud have been defiantly successful with their first album and singles, flying in the face of those who say manufactured pop has had its day. Let's see if they can keep it that way.
Karen G
No of votes: 7, Score:
27, Highest vote: 1st
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46
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Turin Brakes - Painkiller
The smut police have sniffing around this one for ages, finally declaring that whilst certain portions of the song are quite clearly rude, the references are so oblique in the rest of it that they might as well be singing the ingredients of a box of cornflakes. So, let's take it purely on face value - it's the big pop single that was missing from "The Optimist" - an extremely enjoyable busk on the sunnier side, the harmonies almost enticing you into their make-believe world where cycling is the best antidepressant out. Using just some acoustic guitars and some well honed songwriting, Turin Brakes have hit upon a natural acoustic high , and there's not even a hint of drowsiness.
Jason M
No of votes: 7, Score:
33, Highest vote: 2nd
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45
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REM - Bad Day
Artist link: 42
Far be it from me to foist my opinion on this, but what the hell, quite simply the best REM song done since "Losing My Religion". It's so irrepressibly up-tempo and catchy that you are left thinking "how come they can't make more songs like this?" Then some smart alec pipes up and informs you that it was first written in 1986, which explains how it does sound a bit like "It's The End Of The World As We Know It". I don't care that it's taken them 17 years to bring this to light, it's been worth the wait.
Jason M
No of votes: 7, Score:
33, Highest vote: 1st
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43
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Blu Cantrell feat Sean Paul - Breathe
2003 has been a bit of a busy year for Sean Paul. No fewer than 5 of his songs have ended up in this year's aide memoire - and 2 of those have been collaborations. This one has come out the top of the pile as far as our chart goes - understandable I guess, giving the pairing of some of the hottest R&B property from across the water. Odd that the title should be about the only thing Sean Paul doesn't do as he delivers his lines in a way that only Shaggy could do dirtier. Ah, it's about asking for some space, I get it....
Jason M
No of votes: 7, Score:
48, Highest vote: 1st
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42
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Westlife - Hey Whatever
Artist link:1  5 10 33 37
A disappointing year for Westlife according to many critics - I mean, only one Number 1 single??? Hey Whatever wasn't that song (that 'accolade' went to Mandy). In fact it peaked at a lowly Number 4, but was the subject of much debate amongst the Westlife hardcore - should they change direction or not? This song was just that, a major change in direction, taking a sample from Northern Irish band Relish's "Rainbow Zephyr" and changing the lyrics. I thought it was a fantastic song, with a great video, and should have been a new start for Westlife...but not many people agreed with me! Bring on the ballads......or not......
Kat B
No of votes: 7, Score:
64, Highest vote: 1st
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41
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Mark Owen - 4 Minute Warning
Well well, who'd have thought it? Consigned to the dumper once before, no-one expected Mark Owen to rise like a phoenix from the flames. OK, so Celeb Big Brother was a good move, but still I wouldn't have put money on Mark being given another record deal. Even more unlikely was that he'd make the most of his second chance and release this classic pop track about..ummm...the end of the world! 4 Minute Warning is, quite simply, fantastic. Whether it's actually 4 minutes though, I haven't checked!
Kat B
No of votes: 8, Score:
32, Highest vote: 4th
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Thanks go to the following people for assisting with getting together our comprehensive aide-memoire: Danny G, Kat B, Caz T, Isaac H
A MASSIVE THANKS also to all those who slaved over a hot keyboard to produce the write ups: Danny G, Caz T, Paul M, Kat B, Andrew S, Angela T, Isaac H, P Shoo, Liza H, Dan Mc, Kevin B, Harley R, Karen G
