Kevin Courtney's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams
THE CRIBS Don't You Wanna Be Relevant? **
Nobody wants to be irrelevant - in fact, the Wakefield trio were so determined to be relevant, they had themselves chopped up by a naked lady on the video for Men's Needs. This sarky tune is hardly gonna achieve cultural significance, but it's a good laugh while it lasts. Download two free tracks, Baby Don't Sweat and Another Number from www.thecribs.com
THE FRANK AND WALTERS City Lights Fifa Records ***
Who still wants to hear the Franks' happy, fluffy indie-pop sounds? A lot of people, actually, if the gig receipts from the UK, US and Europe are anything to go by. The ever-fragrant Cork trio are even soundtracking a perfume ad on Thai TV. This bittersweet tune is backed by a languid acoustic version of Teenage Kicks - now, why didn't anyone else think of doing it that way?
THE FLAWS You and I Arrivals ***
While The Killers wander the desert searching for the spirit of Bruce, the Louth-Monaghan quartet have hijacked their good bits on this anthem from their fine debut album, Achieving Vagueness. If Brandon is the bellboy, then this is the concierge.
NELLY FURTADO Do It Geffen ***
Nelly gives it her usual welly on this hotsteppin' little number all about, er, doing it. Just in case you don't get the message loud and clear, Missy Elliot spells it out with lots of X's. Portuguese fado? That was long ago.
DAVID GRAY You're The World To Me IHT **
Diamond Dave must have been glad to see James Blunt get big, cos it drew the critics' attention away from him for awhile. Success has seen him settle into middle-ground earnestness, but his forthcoming greatest hits set should remind us that when the going gets rough, he can often get a good song going.
FIGHT LIKE APES Davide Carradine Is a Bounty Hunter Whose Robotic Arm Hates Your Crotch EP Fifa ***
Another zany EP from the Dublin electo-noiseniks, once again assembled from various bits of detritus strewn around pop music's bedsit floor and featuring the wonderful MayKay on vampish vocals. Do You Karate? chops its way into your brain, Canhead would make a great Bird's Eye ad, and Accidental Wrong Hole is a twisted take on the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
