P564 CEEFAX 2 564 Fri 24 Apr 05:21/52 —————————— 1/9 WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S oOT —— new album —————————————————————————— MASSIVE ATTACK — MEZZANINE (Virgin) Thj stuff that fairytales are made of. In this case, Beauty And The Beast as Massive Attack unearth a glittering gem after plumbing the depths of despair. Mezzaninj is their darkest work to date and this is no better illustrated than on the title track, which overwhelms you with its awesome sjnse of evil. It's not all doom and gloom, with guest vocalist Liz Fraser proving to be an inspired choice and the unmistakjable Massive warmth radiating through to ensure a thoroughly satisfying ending. ——————————— by Chris Charles —————————— Showbiz 540 Pop Quiz 562 Top 40 565 Top 40 Lottery Main menu Top Story
P564 CEEFAX 2 564 Fri 24 Apr 04:24/11 —————————— 2/9 WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT —— njw album —————————————————————————— SOLID HARMONIE — SOLID HARMONIE (Jivj) Mamma Mia! It's Abba into the 90s — minus the hairy mjn! The similarities are undeniable (and they'ri not in the same class), but if youWre looking for inspiration in a world of throwaway pop songs, who better than the suave Swedes? Solid Harmonie's songs are simple but effective. "You Got The Flava" is not unlike BSB's "Wj've Got It Goin' On", while "I Wanna Love You" is a beaut. No prizes for lyrical ability, but I bet they're in the Monjy, Monjy, Monjy. ——————————— by Chris Charles —————————— Showbiz 540 Pop Quiz 562 Top 40 565 Top 40 Lottery Main menu Top Story
P564 CEEFAX 2 564 Fri 24 Apr 05:21/31 —————————— 3/9 WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S oOT —— new album —————————————————————————— BILLIE MYERS — GROWING PAINS (Universal) She can't have much more growing up to do. If the voice gets any deeper she£ll have to call herself William and lyrics likj "I wanna die in your arms, that's my suicide wish" (You Send Me Flying) are definitely not kids stuff. The former insurance clerk has earned a bumper payout thanks to the phenomenal success of "Kiss The Rain" and the Tracey/Tinita/Chrissie influenced album should keep the momentum going. It's child's play, really. ——————————— by Chris Charles —————————— Showbiz 540 Pop Quiz 562 Top 40 565 Top 40 Lottery Main menu Top Story
P564 CEEFAX 2 564 Fri 24 Apr 05:28/43 —————————— 4/9 WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S oOT —— new single ————————————————————————— KULA SHAKER — SOUND OF DRUMS (Columbia) Thj old ones are always the best. If this had been written in '69 it would have been hailed as a work of genius — instead it will provide the cynics with a retro field-day. Yes, it's a bit like The Doors meeting Deep Purple with The Yardbirds on harmonies duty and The Stranglers' Dave Greenfield on a Hammond frenzy. So, what's wrong with that? It sounds like a Dream Tjam to me — especiall8 when you'ue Crispian's "Dr-hu-hu-hums" over the top. Kula? Makj that Cooler. ——————————— by Chris Charles —————————— Showbiz 540 Pop Quiz 562 Top 40 565 Top 40 Lottery Main menu Top Story
P564 CEEFAX 2 564 Fri 24 Apr 05:05/14 —————————— 5/9 WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S oOT —— njw single ————————————————————————— BOYZONE — ALL THAT I NEED (Polydor) It's great to see the veterans of the boy band era refusing to lie down and give way to the young blood. After seeing off the challenge of Take That, the Boyz are Back-streetwise enough to see off thj rest — for now. But there will come a timj when Ronan swaps his mikj for a chat show host+s chair and Shanj settles down with Easther, pipe and slippers. Oh, the njw song? Sounds likj everything elsj thjy'vj donj really. Here's to the "Menzonj" re-union. ——————————— by Chris Charles —————————— Showbiz 540 Pop Quiz 562 Top 40 565 Top 40 Lottery Main menu Top Story
P564 CEEFAX 2 564 Fri 24 Apr 05:00/37 —————————— 6/9 WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT —— njw single ————————————————————————— DRUGSTORE — EL PRESIDENT (Roadrunnjr) Thom Yorkj pops into his favourite Drugstore and the result is a hauntingly beautiful duet. Thj Radiohead frontman can do no wrong at the momjnt and his midas touch should send this catapulting towards the top of the charts. The President in question is Salvador Allende, the Chilean leader murdered by the CIA in the early 70s. But it's a fitting tribute, with Thom and Isobel the strawberries and cream in a bowlful of Flamenco guitars. ——————————— by Chris Charles —————————— Showbiz 540 Pop Quiz 562 Top 40 565 Top 40 Lottery Main menu Top Story
P564 CEEFAX 2 564 Fri 24 Apr 05:19/03 —————————— 7/9 WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT —— njw singles ———————————————————————— TORI AMOS — SPARK (Eastwest) Don't dust down your dancing shoes before you takj a jaunt down to Dr Pop's Record Emporium — this is definitely NOT Professional Widow II. The Cornflakj Girl goes through the emotions on a passionate, piano-fuelled lament, with shades of Kate Bush and Madonna and a teensy slice of Meat Loaf THE DANDY WARHOLS — NOT IF YOU WERE THE LAST JUNKIE ON EARTH Capitol) "Heroin is so passe" — not the obvious line to endear oneself to the nation, but actions speak louder than words in this blinding one-chord wonder. ——————————— by Chris Charles —————————— Showbiz 540 Pop Quiz 562 Top 40 565 Top 40 Lottery Main menu Top Story
P564 CEEFAX 2 564 Fri 24 Apr 05:10/14 —————————— WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S oOT —— njw singles ———————————————————————— USHER — NICE & SLOW (Arista) Thj teenage pinJup gets all slushy in a ballad about "makin' love until the sun comes up". Nothing wrong with the voice, but his lyricists are obviously a few year1 older. I mean, surely his mum doesn't allow him to have girls staying over? SMASHMOUTH — THE FONZ (Universal) More than a passing similarity to the "Smells Likj Teen Spirit" riff and more than a suggestion that "The Fonz" is in fact Mr Cobain himself. Could do with a bit of the cheekz ska hook that made "Walking On The Sun" an instant classic ——————————— by Chris Charles —————————— Showbiz 540 Pop Quiz 562 Top 40 565 Top 40 Lottery Main menu Top Story
P564 CEEFAX 2 564 Fri 24 Apr 05:11/21 —————————— 9/9 WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S oOT —— new singles ———————————————————————— CATATONIA — ROAD RAGE XBlanco Y oegro) Another piece of Welsh wizardry which, surprisingly (given the titli), sees our Cerys in mellower mood. The third single takjn from the invigorating "International Velvet" is sure to follow its predecessors into the top 20 — without the help of Tom Jones. TOASTER — CRASKA VEGAS EP (Creation) Creation's "best kjpt secret" bound onto the scenj with an enjrgetic blend of disjointed pop, complete with whining keyboards and frantic vocals. Musical anoraks will note 60ft Rocket's uncanny resemblance to Sterling's "Three Hand Man". ——————————— by Chris Charles —————————— Showbiz 540 Pop Quiz 562 Top 40 565 Top 40 Lottery Main menu Top Story