Franz Ferdinand – Do You Want To – Domino Recordings/SonyBMG
With a squelchy keyboard line that brings to mind the stereo clavinet hook on Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”, Franz Ferdinand’s single “Do You Want To” is an absolute rip-snorter of a comeback for their second album, You Could Have It So Much Better. It follows the template of “Take Me Out” in that it’s got all the bits in the right places, but it’s just about ten times BIGGER. The sound is huge, with producer Rich Costey giving the Glaswegian group a stronger platform for the song than was evident on their self-titled debut that occasionally came across as a touch slight. “Do You Want To” is going to dominate radio from here until the end of the year.

Sounds Like Sunset – Losing Sleep/It’s Alright – Architecture Label
After an age (bronze, we believe), Sydney noisenik rock act Sounds Like Sunset have finally returned with the first single from their second album. It’s all decidedly space rock affair – the guitars glide just so, but beneath it all are some absolutely fabulous and memorable melodies. Sounds Like Sunset have taken far too much time to follow up Saturdays, but it could all be worth it with Invisible.

Coldplay – Fix You – Parlophone/EMI
Ah, Coldplay. The biggest band in the world right now. One listen to “Fix You” will tell you why; Chris Martin writes the songs that the world likes to sing. It’s a big number, with a beautiful chorus, a soaring middle eight, and just a massive, massive hook.

Audioslave – Doesn’t Remind Me – Interscope
Doesn’t remind you? Of Soundgarden? Of Rage Against the Machine? Well, no, it doesn’t. Like the evolution of Foo Fighters into their own beast, Audioslave have made the same leap forward with “Doesn’t Remind Me”. It sounds like Audioslave – a really big rock song, with great vocals from Chris Cornell, and an incredible band featuring a great guitarist, an incredible bass player, and an inventive drummer. Wow. Their third album could be an absolute killer.

Pete Murray – Better Days – Columbia
It uncurls slowly, but when the cello kicks in, and the chorus cruises into view, “Better Days” indicates that Pete Murray is back. How does he manage to make it sound so ridiculously easy – he’s a better lyricist than John Mayer, he’s got a stronger pop sensibility than Jack Johnson, and there’s a maturity to his voice that both those young pups lack. A strong beginning from the new album See the Sun.

Motor Ace – A Little Closer – FMR
With the band now calling it a day, “A Little Closer” is the last taster from Motor Ace. Ever. As the second single from Animal, the band’s third album, it gives away little indication as to the greater musical depth traversed on that third effort. It is a good pop-rock song though.

Switchfoot – Stars – Columbia
A massively hooky pop rock crossover whatsamydoodad, “Stars” is Switchfoot going into Goo Goo Dolls overdrive. It’s not a power anthem of the form of “Iris”, but it an up-tempo radio-ready number that’s sure to become a favourite for many in 2005 – it’s so simply and catchy and easy to listen to, with a naggingly insistent chorus.

Missy Higgins – The Sound of White – EMI
Surely the title track is the last single from Missy Higgins ground-stomping The Sound of White debut. Having already scored a raft of ARIA nominations (and sure to win a rather large handful of them), the Melbourne singer-songwriter has gone gangbusters since her debut appeared. She’s a talented songwriter, with mass appeal, and an Australian strine that undoubtedly puts some off…but not many considering The Sound of White’s multi-platinum status.

Nine Black Alps – Shot Down – Island
The great commercial hope of English rock ‘n roll – what, Franz Ferdinand don’t count as English just ‘cos they’re British? – Nine Black Alps have more aggression than their northern neighbours, with a poppy approach to grunge shown on “Shot Down”. It is really, really hooky, with a great song and a bit of spunk to the group over the course of this five-tracker. Really nicely produced by Rob Schnapf to have a hard edge on what are essentially pop songs, they’re not a patch on Burning Brides, but Nine Black Alps show a lot of promise.

Theory of a Deadman – No Surprise – Roadrunner Records/UMA
Well, it appears the suits have found their new Nickleback…and what’s more, they’re not Canadian! You just know there was some meathead in the middle of America going ‘nope, ain’t gonna buy nothin’ from a Canuck!’. But one of their own? Well, they lapped up Puddle of Mudd didn’t they? Theory of a Deadman is the next branch on the money-making tree.

Bloodhound Gang – Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo – Geffen/UMA
Silly joke-rock that’s fun for the first few times but gets aggravating after time. It’s always the same with Bloodhound Gang – Jimmy Pop is a great songwriter, an occasionally amusing lyricist, and almost universally the same all the time. Acoustics open, then the chorus is all pop-punk, and the chorus as catchy as ever, while bringing a smile to eight year old kids’ faces.

Figgkidd – My Oh My – unda K-9/Epic
When his debut was released Figgkidd was a ‘fun’ Bankstown version of Eminem. Now that his album has sold bugger all and been released all over again…no, wait, he’s still Bankstown Slim Shady. He even name-checks the far superior talent that he mimes on “My Oh My”. That takes cajones of large size. He’s got them, and his flow is solid, but he’s just a copycat, right down to style of delivery.

Kate Alexa – My day will come – Liberation music
‘But daddy says I’m talented!’. Mm, well, hm, it’s a bit hard to tell, Kate. The fact that you dad Michael Gudinski is releasing your music, and that the high cheese factor of “My Day Will Come” tends to indicate a vanity project more than a genuine new talent emerging. It doesn’t help that your voice is kinda bland, nondescript, and the song you’re singing is so hilariously clichéd and naff that it’s just mental.

Jessica Simpson – These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ - Columbia
A cover song that should have been drowned at birth, this attempt at “These Boots Are Made For Walking” proves once and for all that Jessica Simpson really struggles to carry a tune. She doesn’t so much sing the Nancy Sinatra classic as she does ‘breathe’ it (or moan it, or groan it, or whatever tickles your whimsy as choice of word). Back to reality television with you. Begone!