P!nk has made it to No.1 with So What, beating indie-returnees Oasis in the process. The song has now topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, and sets things up nicely for her new album 'Funhouse', coming shortly to these shores. Meanwhile, Kings Of Leon continue their supremacy on the album and singles charts – Only By The Night is still at No.1 in the UK Album Chart, whilst Sex On Fire slips down a place to No.2 in the UK Singles Chart. Their previous album, Because Of The Times, also makes an appearance in the Top 20.
Will Young's fourth album, Let It Go, has gone straight into the charts at No.2 this week. With every new album, Will develops his craft and expands his range, and Let It Go continues this trend. The album sees him reunite with Eg White, his songwriting partner on previous efforts Keep On and Friday's Child. Will Young is a rare talent – the reality TV tag has stuck to many of his contemporaries and hindered their chances of success, but his abilities as a singer and songwriter have enabled him to be taken seriously as a musician and performer. Let It Go is Young's break-up album, a reflective work that was written in the midst of the ending of a long-term relationship. It's an accomplished effort that sees him moving into the mature-pop territory of George Michael. Listen to Let It Go now, for free on We7.
Bluesman Seasick Steve's third album is I Started Out With Nothin And I Still Got Most Of It Left, and is the follow-up to Dog House Music. It sees him moving from cult-following to mainstream success – the record is a new entry in the UK Album Chart this week, at No.9. Interest in Seasick Steve (real name Steve Wold) has grown since his first performance on 'Jools Holland' in 2006, and his MOJO Award for Best Breakthrough Act in 2007. The album itself features collaborations with Nick Cave (co-writer on Just Like A King) and KT Tunstall. Blues aficionados will be pleased to know that, despite his new found popularity, he is staying true to his roots and keeping the music of legendary bluesmen such as Mississippi Fred McDowell alive. Listen now for free on We7.
There's a flurry of Clash-related activity this week, with a new book, DVD and live album all being released. Long thought of as being at the more intelligent end of the punk movement, The Clash formed in 1976. Whilst many of their fellow punks have almost become cartoon characters (John Lydon now advertises butter, would you believe), The Clash have endured. Along the way they experimented with rockabilly, dub and ska, uniting the raw energy of punk with West Indian rhythms coming out of West London in the late 1970s. All this at a time when racial tensions in Britain were rising – The Clash made a stand for unity, not just through their musical experimentation, but through their politicised lyrics. London Calling is the masterpiece. The double-album is thought of as one of the most iconic albums in popular music, right down to the cover artwork (a pointed reference to Elvis Presley's debut album). Sandinista, the follow up, was a bold experiment, a triple-album that marked the first forays into rap music by a rock act. Since their split, there have been many collections of their works – hits packages, rarities etc. If you're looking for round-up of their work to start you out, we recommend you listen to The Singles. As you would expect from the title, it rounds up all their singles, and is a suitable first taste of the band, for the first time listener.
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