Singled Out! with Babyshambles Adam Ficek - June 9th 2008

This week’s guest editor of Singled Out! is Adam Ficek of Babyshambles. When the drummer, who also fronts the fantastic Roses, Kings, Castles, popped by our office last week we played five singles into his ears and told him to review them. Interested to know what he thought? Well read on to find out...

We Are Scientists – ‘Chick Lit’

Yeah I like it. It’s not as strong as their first single - melody-wise I think the first single was a lot stronger. I like the incorporation of different sounds- it’s a very different sound to their first album. It’s a tough sound with some good new editions to their general guitar, drums and bass sound. It’s a hit!

We Are Scientists have created a fantastic video for this song. To watch it now, simply click here.

Portishead – ‘The Rip’

I love the dark folk feel to it. It’s really different to the earlier Portishead stuff. I felt it could have kicked into that groove part a bit earlier. Maybe they could have condensed the whole track a bit more. I really like when the synths come in and the drums come in. It’s a totally different drum sound [to their earlier stuff], it sounds like someone hitting a saucepan with a wooden spoon but I like that it’s great. It’s a much less produced drum sound and I like that the way that they’ve incorporated the drums into that. I just think the whole track could be condensed so that the intro isn’t so prolonged.

The Rip is the second single off Portishead’s long awaited third album. Watch the video on Gigwise here.

The Music – ‘Strength In Numbers'

I really like that, I think it’s got a really strong chorus and the drums are really tough – I think it will do really well. I’ve always been a real fan of the music, I think, just maybe, they were slightly ahead of their time when they first came out and started doing that really dancey guitar type thing. It’s got a great chorus and a strong groove and that’s what the kids want man.

Earlier this year, The Music unveiled the long awaited details off their new album exclusively to Gigwise. To read what they had to say click here.

The Black Keys – ‘I Got Mine'

It’s got great production; it’s very traditional compared to their earlier stuff. It reminds me of the early White Stripes production on their first two albums – really gritty, which is what the Black Keys are about. It’s not a strong lyrically as the previous track (The Music) but I like the grittiness and the bluesy elements of the song.

The Black Keys have got the funk – now check out our album review here.

The Kills – 'Last Day Of Magic'

I’m a bit indifferent to this really. I think it’s kind of an American Ting Tings with the hard beats and the melody. It ticks all the boxes I suppose but it’s not really my cup of tea, it doesn’t grab me anywhere. Each to their own, but I haven’t really got much to say about this.

Kate Moss’s boyfriend doesn’t quite cut it for Adam but what do you think? Watch the video here and let is know…

What do you think of Adam’s reviews – do you agree of disagree? Let us know by posting a comment below. If you sign up your comments will be automatically approved.