Singled Out! - May 5th 2008

One of the world’s biggest rock bands have released a single for free – but is it good enough to make it into Singled Out! this week.

A Place To Bury Strangers – 'To Fix The Gash In Your Head'

If you ever wondered what it sounded like to listen to a band from the inside of their monitor speakers, then just listen to A Place To Bury Strangers. Since their formation in 2003, the American trio have built a reputation for being unashamedly loud, not just live, but on record as well. It only takes six seconds before ‘To Fix The Gash In Your Head’, their first UK release, turns into a throbbing conglomeration of white noise guitars and relentless drumming. Amongst all this fabulous mayhem, it’s almost possible to miss vocalist Oliver Ackermann, whose edgy vocals resemble those of Ian Curtis. It’s long been believed that the place between heaven and hell is called purgatory; in fact, it might just be the place where these three make their music.

A Place To Bury Strangers are so new in the UK we haven’t got anything else to tell you about them. You can check out the band’s video below though.

Scarlett Johansson featuring David Bowie - 'Falling Down'

David Bowie, who appears on 'Falling Down', recently called the voice of Scarlett Johansson "mystical" and "twice cool". Now, while cynics might say that that compliment only came because of his participation on the track, to a certain extent, Mr Bowie has got a point. While I don't quite understand what twice cool means, I do get the mystical bit. Like her natural speaking voice, Hollywood actress Johansson's singing voice is deep and at times utterly absorbing. Although her vocals sometimes sounds a little to distant during 'Falling Down', on the whole, Johansson's attempt to resurrect Tom Waits on this song is a resounding success. Who would've thought it?

Read what David Bowie said in full HERE.

Still don't believe us when we tell you Scarlett Johansson has become a music star? Then listen to sing songs off her album HERE.

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - 'Look Out For The Woman'

After having spent the majority of last year bashing the music scene and its many publications, who would have thought that Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip would return with a love song. 'Look Out For The Woman', the first proper single from their debut album, charts all those confusing emotions that love stirs in Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip&rsquos ever-distinctive lyrical way. "There's a weight over me today, something I have to say, love you too much to leave, didn't like you enough to stay," they sing/rap/chant during the song&rsquos chorus. When coupled with the song's sweet melodies, there's more emotion in this than a single Leona Lewis teardrop.

Check out the video for Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip's new video HERE.

Captain - 'Keep An Open Mind'

'Keep An Open Mind' is the kind of song I like up until the moment when someone points out that if The Feeling sang it I wouldn't even listen to it.  Although those people are often right, from time to time it&rsquos good to ignore them. 'Keep An Open Mind' is the first single from Captain's second album, 'Distraction', and what a catchy little song it is. From first listen, the song's chorus "Keep an open mind, I know you will; keep it in time, I know you will / Give a little look to show you care; and when you look around, it's everywhere" - will feel like it's been stuck into your head with superglue. Add to that the catchy melody, and Captain could well be onto a winner.

Check out the video for Captain's "Keep An Open Mind".
Hopefully you won't think The Feeling could make it.

Coldplay - 'Violet Hill'

Of the 600,000 people that downloaded Coldplay's new single 'Violet Hill' for free within the first 24 hours of it being uploaded to band&rsquos website last week, it's fair to say that the majority probably thought to themselves: "Well, I wasn't expecting that." 'Violet Hill' certainly isn't your standard Coldplay single. The trademark piano hooks and guitar melodies that crafted three albums of proven stadium-sized anthems aren't really anywhere to be seen. Instead, after a trudging piano intro, we're presented with an experimental distorted guitar part from Jonny Buckland and a narrative from frontman Chris Martin: yes, a narrative. "I took my love down to Violet Hill, there we sat in the snow, all that time she was silent still, so if you love me, won&rsquot you let me know," he sings, as the song concludes, back in the sparse wilderness that it started in. There's no doubting that Coldplay have shed some skin here, but the question is, whether their fans will feel comfortable with what their new one sounds like.

Want to know where you can see Coldplay play live for free this summer? Then click here