This week, Matt’s trying to get noticed.

Hot Hot Heat – Bandages (B-Unique)

Bandages will get this lot from Vancouver noticed. It’ll get them lumped in with the skinny-tie scene (because they do sound a bit Strokes-y), but Bandages is so catchy it’s likely to be playlisted on Every-man-and-his-dog FM. A bit like The Cure at their most joyous, with a funny bit in the middle that could be The Police, it’s been done before but not recently enough for anyone to really care. And it’ll be responsible for dancefloor damage in many an indie club.

Placebo – The Bitter End (Hut)

Brian and co are back. And as a taster to the new album, Sleeping With Ghosts (there’s some unresolved issues there) we’ve got The Bitter End. Now that’s optimism for you. Typical Placebo fodder then. Brooding rock with Molko’s distinctive love it or hate it vocal. You already know whether you love it or hate it. Don’t you?

FC Kahuna – Hayling (Skint)

FC Kahuna have released this before on their old label City Rockers, home to Felix Da House Cat. Unfortunately, the label got into a spot of bother and poor old Kahuna didn’t get the attention that their top debut Machine Say Yes deserved. Now at their new home Skint, they’re giving it another bash re-releasing both the album and the standout track. This euphoric bleepy chillfest is also backed with remixes by Super Furry Animals (Gruff donates vocals on the album) and drum ’n’ bass merchant Ils.

The Bush The Tree And Me – When You’re Gone (Genuine)

The Bush The Tree And Me had a fine album on Sony a year or so back. But it went almost unnoticed as the corporate beast failed to work out what to do with a talented girl band that produces thoughtful, Sundays-esque folk pop. Well, the Welwyn Garden City girls have now started their own label in an attempt to get more recognition, which they’ve already had from Graham Coxon. And they deserve it with lyrics like, “When you’re gone, is it right to feel relieved?” You have to feel for her fella though.

Ladytron – Blue Jeans (Telstar)

The second single from their electro rock Light & Magic album, Blue Jeans sounds to me a bit like Dubstar (you know, the ones with the rude pencil-case cover) but without a catchy tune. It’s quite well made, there are some nice sounds and there’s the repeated hook “Blue Jeans”, but it all fails to add up to very much. Shame.

Matt Walton 07 March 03

All singles released 10 March 03.