Kevin Courtney's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams
MADONNA Hey You http://liveearth.msn.com/ green/Madonnadownload **
Hey, you! Yeah, you, leaving that big carbon bootprint. Here's Mama Earth herself to make you feel guilty for existing, with a little campfire tune in anticipation of the Live Earth extravaganza. Microsoft will give 25 US cents for each of the first million downloads, but hurry before the free offer ends (along with the world, apparently).
THE RADIO One of Two Ways Reekus ***
Former Rollerskate Skinny man Stephen M is on a mission to fill the airwaves with "spiky pop noise that prickles your body", and this latest tune, featuring Caroline Lee-Baker and Sue Rose on vocals, should provide the requisite jabbing sensation on your epidermis. Download it from playlouder.com.
MARILYN MANSON Heart-Shaped Glasses (when the heart guides the hand) Interscope **
Poor widdle God of F*** - he's broken up with his exotic dancer girlfriend so he's feeling a bit vulnerable right now. The nearest he can get to a tear- stained love ballad, however, is this torturous goth pastiche.
THE FRATELLIS Ole Black'n'Blue Eyes Drop the Gun ***
They've got a bona fide terrace anthem in Chelsea Dagger, and here's one for the pub after the match, all about a rather scary emo-type girl. Listen to their iTunes ad, Flathead, on MySpace and sign up to www.thefratellis.com/budhillsinglesfor some free acoustic versions.
VESTA VARRO Pyramid Clocks Eavesdrop **
Love the epic, emotional indie sounds of Leya and Royseven? This Limerick lot should be right up your bothareen. It's all very slick and accomplished, and the singer's pain is perfectly pitched, but give me a clunky rock band and a croaky singer who can't even reach middle C anyday.
FIGHT LIKE APES How Am I Supposed to Kill You If You Have All the Guns Fifa Records ****
Four couch potatoes from Dublin have put all their cult videos, empty cigarette packs, computer games and takeaway meals into a concrete mixer and come up with four fab synth- punk tunes, led by the screamo vocals of MayKay. Download Lend Me Your Face free from thetorturegarden.blogspot.com.
