Radio Singles Review

The Coral - In The Morning - Instantly a grower, this song hits on all the right notes. Steel drums are back in a big way, builds on last year's success from the Arcade Fire and Delays. A

The White Stripes - Blue Orchid - Either I've really lost interest or it sounds like Jack White co-opted a DFA79 B-side for his own use. Boring. C

Weezer - Beverly Hills - Hopefully the rest of the album doesn't head in this direction. Very awkward sound to it, Rivers doesn't exactly sound comfortable with the singalong songs. If they're going back to the Dope Nose type songs I'm jumping ship. F

Coldplay - Speed of Sound - Pretty much the same type structure as Coldplay songs you know already. Decent song, but played fairly safely, especially after Chris said X & Y would have a more electronic sound to it. You don't hear it here at all. B-

System of a Down - BYOB - Continually becoming more political with every new single, and it actually works for them in the sense that they haven't lost much airplay (yet). Get their message across without hitting you over the head incessantly with it. Afterall, it's still supposed to be music. A-

Oasis - Lyla - I've really been hot and cold with Oasis over the years, and this track falls somewhere in the middle. I've always preferred their edgier stuff ala What's the Story Morning Glory, with a more definitive hook to it. C+

Foo Fighters - Best of You - This will be a huge song this summer. Grohl follows up his strong drumming on the NIN album with another well produced single. Nothing groundbreaking, but there's a definite progression that continues from their last album that you appreciate because it sounds authentic (poorly explained but whatever.) No Everlong but those come around once in a decade. A-