Single of the Year

I am on a roll with the '...of the year' stuff now.

Firstly, I should mention the criteria the t&g jury (me) were using when the turntable came out and this year's best 7" singles were considered. Any of the following were immediately disqualified..

- Singles released in digital formats only.
- Singles without an authentic 'b side', i.e with another track from the parent album on the b side, or an instrumental version of the a side, or a live version of the a side.

Basically, it is nice to see an effort made. Mentions should be given therefore to Jenny Lewis' 'Carpetbaggers', a great single with an Elvis Costello track featuring Jenny on the b side and all for charity....and Tindersticks' 'What Are You Fighting For?', an exclusive tour 7" with a brand new non-LP track. But in reality, there is a clear and obvious 'single of the year'...

Beck 'Chemtrails'

One of the greatest sounds I have heard this year.

This track is just a blast. Sounding like it is coming from outer space, it is a disorientating but somehow warm and familiar bundle of sound. The reverb dances around, making it seem like the music is going from one ear, through your head, and ending up in the other ear. It seems to float about! The drums and the bassline are old school, the vocal is an otherworld falsetto and it is pure pleasure for the ears, you don't want it to end.....and then when you think it has, you get, from nowhere, a stunning electric guitar break.

Absolutely bloody brilliant. And single of the year by a mile.