various new singles! - lethal bizzle, THE rakes, lightspeed champion, THE runners and more

THE RAKES / THE WORLD WAS A MESS BUT HIS HAIR WAS PERFECT (V2) Having successfully convinced a generation of graduates to look for a 22 grand job in the city, The Rakes are back with a definite contender for the ‘Best Song Title of the Year’ award. Aside from the witty title, anyone expecting the same cheeky, high paced tomfoolery we’ve come to expect from the band should dramatically adjust their expectations. Wisely cut down from its original length of 18 minutes to a modest 3.31, The Rakes have toned down the unpredictable quirkyness that dominated their debut album in favor of a more low-key, slightly moody sound. Is this the second album syndrome kicking in, or is it just maturing as a band? You decide… THE VICTORIAN ENGLISH GENTLEMENS CLUB / LA MER (FANTASTIC PLASTIC) I don’t know about anyone else, but ‘The Victorian English Gentlemens Club’ sounds like the sort of establishment you’d find in the Shoreditch area – the sort of place frequented by elegant Dickensian gentlemen with fine handlebar moustaches and the odd Indie kid with an angular haircut. ‘La Mer’ is the first VEGC single to feature the group’s bassist Louise Mason on lead vocals, and after a short staccato introduction she proceeds to spin a tale of drowning and despair. It’s hardly a cheery vocal debut, but she carries the song well. . LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION / GALAXY OF THE LOST (DOMINO) Anyone with a pulse and two functioning ears would’ve arrived at the conclusion that Test Icicles were bollocks, as indeed their name suggested. Fortunately, former Test Icicle Dev Hynes (aka Lightspeed Champion) escaped the grubby confines of the group, disappeared off to Omaha, Nebraska, and locked himself in a studio with an acoustic guitar. The result is a rather impressive jaunt through semi-acoustic, country rock territory which exhibits far more talent than was ever allowed to shine in his former band. . MARK RONSON FT. LILLY ALLEN / OH MY GOD (COLUMBIA) It seems only fitting that someone who became famous for DJ-ing at celebrity weddings should team up with someone whose chief talent seems to be singing in a cockney accent and writing a blog filled with vicious invective. Whilst there is little doubt that Ronson has talent, as a song ‘Oh My God’ is fairly tedious – and between Allen’s monotone lyrics and the rather senseless inclusion of a Busta Rhymes rap, it becomes simply lifeless. There are two redeeming factors though: firstly Allen doesn’t feature in the video - and secondly, Rhymes doesn’t yell ‘Flipmode!’ every 5 seconds. . THE RUNNERS / (A) GET IN LINE (B) FAMILIAR FACES (WEEKENDER) When not touring alongside a who’s who of up and coming indie talent (including The Blood Arm, Pigeon Detectives and Mumm-Ra) The Runners have been filling their time by listening to every music journalist in the country classify them as the best thing since bread came sliced. Hard times indeed. Cut from the same mould as bands like The Enemy, ‘Get In Line’ is reminiscent of John Power’s band Cast (when it was still ok to like them [[surely it was never OK to like them? - Ed]]), whilst ‘Familiar Faces’ veers ever so slightly into some fairly scary Razorlight territory. Fear not though, The Runners seem far too grounded to spawn another Johnny Borrell. We hope. . THE ANOMALIES / EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH If the Arctic Monkeys had chosen a different path they may well have ended up where we find The Anomalies today. It’s a tenuous comparison which may raise eyebrows, but for sheer lyrical wit The Anomalies would probably give Mr. Turner a run for his money. ‘Employee of the Month’ showcases the bands ability to seamlessly blend hip-hop and breakbeat styles with a rather saucy swing/jazz backing. Whilst their name suggests that they view themselves as something of a freakish deviation from the norm, there’s something so refreshing about The Anomalies that it’s hard to imagine anyone else ever challenging them.