Cobra Starship feat. The Plasticines - Fool Like Me

Oh I cannot wait for 'Night Shades' - every song I hear from it just gets better and better, and Fool Like Me is no exception. The archetypal summer song, it will put you in mind of sunny beaches and cold drinks - or maybe that's just my wishful thinking. With a kind of Caribbean vibe in the melody, funky and rolling, and a cameo from the oh-so-chic Plasticines, this is a song set to be an instant hit. The vocals in this song are gorgeous from both bands, channeling the mood of the song and adding their very own twist to it. The lyrics are actually fun and sometimes funny in this song, and that only makes it more endearing - but there is a heart in it too, and that's just as important. Fool Like Me is perfect for all the summer that's left - don't let it go to waste.

-faithfulradiowhore

Good Charlotte - Sex On The Radio

Another Monday, another week of songs - are you as excited as me? Today's song is from everyone's favourite pop-punk's Good Charlotte, and while the subject matter might be a little more grown up, the spirit behind it is forever young. Sex On The Radio is a fast paced, almost seductive tale of a short term relationship in the world of the famous. The melody is catchy and the chorus is big enough to buoy a crowded gig. There's nothing too complex in the lyrics, but there are some noteworthy moments - and really, isn't that half the fun of it? (I love to hear her scream/And when I push play she's screaming in stereo.) The vocals in this song probably have most to recommend it - but then they're always impressive. Dance and sing along - you might feel like an idiot, but this time it's worth it for the fun of it.

-faithfulradiowhore

Queen Of Hearts - Perfect Mistake

Queen Of Hearts - Perfect Mistake by Queen Of Hearts

So it seems as though we've got a little bit of summer back, and what better way to celebrate than with the wonderful Queen of Hearts? Opening with just enough synth to get your attention, the vocals come as a pleasant surprise, gorgeous and ethereal next to the 80s pop feel of the melody. The beat is begging for some cutting edge club in the coolest part of town, the soundtrack you would want for your life - and you'll find yourself humming the riffs before long. The lyrics are the perfect accompaniment to the melody, capturing the mix of dark and light well (The night has spoken/So we go and let the darkness in.) Celebrate the sun, turn up the volume, and dance until dawn.

-faithfulradiowhore

Lady Gaga - Bad Kids

Today I'm being a bad kid and luckily Lady Gaga has given me the soundtrack to match. Beginning with a call to arms of sorts, with heavy guitar and synth backing it brilliantly. The melody is ridiculously catchy, seguing from rock to 80s pop absolutely flawlessly. The song is just another example of how Gaga can create such a unique imprint on all of her songs, and the vocals just seem to get stronger with every new release. The lyrics to Bad Kids are superb, a real protest for those who don't quite fit the mould (I'm a twit/Degenerate/Young rebel and I'm proud of it.) So get in to the spirit of things - give life some attitude, you've got the music for it now.

-faithfulradiowhore

Theory Of A Deadman - Bad Girlfriend

I'm back (again!) and with a song that got me through a five hour train journey. Bad Girlfriend is a kick ass tune that will have you craving darkened dance floors in no time at all. Rocking guitars, dirty vocals and lyrics that seem to have been made for the melody see this song be everything you know it could from the opening bars. There might not be the substance of some of the bands other songs, but this is fun, slick, and made to be danced to. Pretend it's the weekend and get in to that spirit now.

-faithfulradiowhore

NOTE: Since I don't know how old any of you are, and I'm also not your parent/guardian, I can't stop you from watching this, but be warned there's some swearing and is not suitable for little kids. If you don't like the sound of it, don't watch it. :)

Arctic Monkeys - 505

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=GB#/watch?v=AQBe_pibFCo

I'm on holiday the next few days, so posts will resume normally Wednesday, but while I can here's today's. From second album Favourite Worst Nightmare, the Arctic Monkeys showed that they were just as capable of wit and charm in a slow almost lament as in a fast, charming indie thrill. This is a song that manages to pack in a million different moods and emotions, yet from the guitar line to the lyrics is unmistakably an Arctic Monkeys' song. Sometimes slow and mournful, while at others punchy and full of protestations, a real surprise is that the vocals never fail to complement the song perfectly. Lyrically the song is very interesting, with the classic gems the band are so known for. The perfect compliment to my train journey, and a much needed addition to any playlist - so what are you waiting for?

-faithfulradiowhore

The Killers - Read My Mind

If there's one thing I really believe, it's that music is the cure to many of life's ills. Today was no exception, and Read My Mind was the song that provided the basis for the come back of the year. In fact, just for today I'm asking you to do the work - just listen and let a little bit of your soul simply smile.

-frw

Vampire Weekend - A-Punk

Today's song is one with arguably the most famous guitar riff of recent times. Fans of Guitar Hero, late night clubbing, or anyone who hasn't been living under a rock for the last few years will recognise the song from the very beginning. With its addictive melody and punchy shouts, this is a song that just screams 'summer' at you from start to end. Characterised by the upbeat, fast paced melody and beat that will have you up on the dance floor faster than you'd ever have imagined, A-Punk is simply a delight from beginning to end. So if it's as sunny where you are as it is here, turn up the stereo and dance like a 90s kid to the wonder that is Vampire Weekend.

-faithfulradiowhore

Patrick Stump - As Long As I Know I'm Getting Paid

To celebrate the frankly fabulous news that his debut album Soul Punk is due out on October 18th, today's song is what will keep me going until that date. As Long As I Know I'm Getting Paid is a rockin' little piece of music that will have you dancing through the summer - be it the acoustic version (above) or the synth-y glory of the EP version. The melody isn't especially complicated most of the way through, but the intricate guitar work just before the bridge is all the more impressive by comparison. However, the lyrics are perhaps the most intriguing part of the song, outwardly deceptive but with absolute gems hidden in the midst (In this life that matters that matters more than death/I follow to my dying breath). A fantastic, surreal experience that leaves you desperate for more - bring on October.

-faithfulradiowhore

Wonderland - Not A Love Song

So it's finally almost the weekend, and time for one last song before the week is through. While it might not be the coolest thing in the world to admit, I am actually a little obsessed with this song. There's just something about a flawlessly constructed, unashamed pop song that's just irresistible, and Not A Love Song is no exception. A sweet melody is accompanied by great vocals and even better harmonies, creating a contrast between the tune and the lyrics. Speaking of the lyrics, they are a nice surprise in a world full of songs about love so cliched they'd make a teenage girl blush - Wonderland take a slightly more contemporary view (If you're looking for a girlfriend/You can start your search when you're watching me walk away.) If you're looking for a nice piece of pop to guide you into the weekend, look no further.

-faithfulradiowhore

The Cab - Bad

There seem to be so many good albums in the pipelines just now, and the Cab's second album is among that number. The first song released from it, Bad, is slightly more pop than the music on 'Whisper War,' but isn't any the worse for it. In fact, it might even be better. The piano intro segues seamlessly in to a laid back verse, with the tempo jacked up after the chorus - this is a song that seems to constantly be changing. The melody and vocals work brilliantly together, balanced so that neither overpowers the other as it could so easily. An ode to the girls who won't sit down and play perfect, Bad is a slice of up front (I want something physical/Not something invisible) pop punk that will have you wanting to be with or just be the girl they're talking about.

-faithfulradiowhore

South Jordan - Fatal Flaw (acoustic)

It's grey and cold outside, so I'm warming myself by a heater with the beautiful Fatal Flaw - what a day. The acoustic version is beautifully simple, the piano providing the ideal backdrop to the soulful vocals, and it's this simplicity that allows the song to truly resonate. The rise and fall of the melody is done flawlessly, and the barely restrained power of the vocals add to the emotive nature of the song. Lyrically there is the universal story of love and loss, readily identifiable, but the opening lines have a particularly poignant feel (They told me be careful/They said weary of you/They warned persistence is the fatal flaw.) The remedy for a troubled soul or a rainy day.

-faithfulradiowhore

The Wombats - Our Perfect Disease

After a week's absence due to a horrendous laptop issue, I'm back and (arguably) better than ever. Starting off the week is The Wombats with Our Perfect Disease. Taking things in a slightly more futuristic direction, the synth and guitars weave to create something like Muse on drugs, alternately hugging everyone in the room and hiding in a corner muttering. The whole thing has taken on an adult feel, a song to dance to yes, but there's something else there that's easy enough to see. The vocals suit this song perfectly, not too heavy but more than establishing their presence, and the lyrics have moments of absolute brilliance (We didnt say it but we never saw eye to eye/Now life is carefree and equally as boring) and a chorus that gets better every time it comes around. Like Jekyll and Hyde (referenced in the song coincidentally), this song has two sides - get familiar with them both.

-faithfulradiowhore

Black Cards - Dr Jekyll And Mr Fame

It's finally Friday, and what better way to celebrate than with the Black Cards? (If you said Rebecca Black, then you should leave this blog right now - consider yourself warned.) Dirty glamour at its finest, with a strong beat and impossibly clever lyrics hidden behind a synth driven melody. I could say more, but Friday night is fast approaching and this song would make anyone want to dance. Obey the music...

-faithfulradiowhore

The Karma Heart - Another Religion

Another day, another song, and it's a beauty. The latest single from The Karma Heart embraces the rock vibe and cuts through the relentless pounding of the Top 40 - thankfully! The melody is hard hitting and addictive, with riffs running deep through the heart of the song - but perhaps the best thing about it is that the vocals are powerful enough to stand out from the melody where anything less might have got lost in the sheer volume of the song. Whether you're about to kick off a weekend at T In The Park or are wanting your own private festival on your stereo, this is the song to mark today with.

-faithfulradiowhore

Katy McAllister - Here's To The Heartbreakers

Today's song is a gem of a find on Myspace, proving once and for all that the site isn't quite dead. Katy McAllister's Here's To The Heartbreakers is a beautiful tune, with incredibly talented vocals and a melody that just begs to be sung along with. Reminiscent of Taylor Swift for those of us who'll never see our teens again, the song is a typical adolescent love song with a more adult feel to it, appealing to everybody. The vocals are superb, drawing attention away from what is a fantastic little tune, but somehow this only enhances the song. Lyrically, there are some interesting moments (I turn your flaws into beauty/And you're seeing this as a bad thing/Are you kidding me?) but the main strength comes from the whole idea of the song. A great tune from an artist who is capable of great things - so raise a glass to the faithless.

-faithfulradiowhore

The Valentines - Call The Police

Welcome back on this warm and sunny Monday where I am - and with a hell of a song to kick off the week. Call The Police is the kind of song you'd expect to hear behind some incredible surfing tricks in a classic American film, with fast paced riffs and its 'bop bop doo-wah's.' The melody is rife with moments that will get stuck in your head, and the lyrics are simple enough that you can (and should) be singing along in no time. The vocals work perfectly with the melody, giving a more modern, rocky edge to the lighter upbeat music - just what the song needs. By rights The Valentines should be absolutely everywhere this summer - do your bit to make it happen!

-faithfulradiowhore

Taking Back Sunday - Taking Back Sunday

Taking Back Sunday's self titled fifth album is a triumphant return to what the band do best - anthemic rock.

First single El Paso gave a taster of what to expect, with a killer tune and the trademark TBS swagger, and songs like Sad Savior and Call Me In The Morning take things a little slower without losing an inch of that attitude . One of my favourite things about this band is that the songs are more than skin deep, with lyrics that look pretty on paper, but with real bite in the heat of the song, and this album continues that awesome tradition.

Highlights definitely have to be This Is All Now - which showcase seductive vocals and a stadium worthy chorus - and Best Places To Be A Mom, with its guitar driven melody and headbanging potential.

Taking Back Sunday is an outstanding album in a stellar back catalogue, proving that this is still a band to be reckoned with.

-faithfulradiowhore

Brandon Flowers - Was It Something I Said?

Today brought the first bit of sun for a while, so I thought it only appropriate to crack out a song that never fails to put a smile on my face - especially since Brandon Flowers has only just made his comeback with the awesome Killers. Was It Something I Said? is upbeat, catchy, and never quite what it appears to be on the surface. The riffs in the song are great, intricate enough to draw your attention, but not so complex that they draw away from the rest of the song, and the vocals are truly as strong as they've always been. For me, the lyrics are perhaps the most interesting element of the song, telling the story of a love in decline - beginning with an almost marriage, but ending with bad news (I heard the church bells ringing in my head and I'd take them everywhere I'd go/ Valentina met a dealer and I heard they had a baby five months ago.) This is a song that manages to be interesting both on the surface and underneath, and it's worth a listen for that reason at least.

-faithfulradiowhore

Bastille - Icarus

icarus by BASTILLE

As promised, one of my Myspace discoveries from this morning. From the minute the track started up, it was something a little different in a genre not known for producing diverse music. Icarus has a brilliant mix of indie and electro, combining militaristic drums with delicate piano to create an effect that shouldn't work - but truly does. The chorus has the makings of a gig anthem, easily moving from tightly controlled to a kind of soaring freedom, allowed to do so mostly by the simplicity of the lyrics (Icarus is flying/Too close to the sun.) The story of Icarus is one which most have at least some familiarity with, and that gives the song a kind of affinity with the listener already. Perfectly executed, emotive, and destined for a permanent spot on my playlist, Icarus is just begging to be played.

-faithfulradiowhore