Singles

This week's singles:

Belle & Sebastian - The Blues Are Still Blue

Stuart Murdoch’s transformation from wannabe folkie miniaturist to wannabe rocker generalist reminds me of Jake Gyllenhaal going from emo dork Donnie Darko to the swaggerin’ cowpoke Jack Nasty, er, Twist: unexpected, ingratiating, and a little awkward, which is probably the point, until you notice the bulge in his crotch; he knows he looks great. Less awkward, however, than Murdoch. Who can say whether his latent fondness for the grand gesture proves to be more than another role; but I’m glad he’s as bored with mumbled miserabilism as his audience. Score: [7]

Toby Keith - Get Drunk & Be Somebody

See, I thought the title was “Get Drunk and Beat Somebody.” At the risk of looking like an asshole, that’s the sort of song I expect Toby Keith to sing, not some limp-wristed empowerment ode qua Gretchen Wilson number. Score: [6]

The Fray - Over My Head

Now that the vein of American rock bands emulating Pearl Jam has been exhausted, young would-be scenesters look across the Atlantic for inspiration. Arena-size intimacy is Coldplay’s specialty, with a dollop of angst suitable for The O.C. I’ve been told that pianos are the new electric guitars. Grade: [4]