The Second Wave of Kenickie Singles

I Would Fix You (1) Released: 25/5/98 on EMIDisc. Highest chart position: 36

I Would Fix You (Radio Edit): (Laverne, Du Santiago, X): After a years hiatus, Kenickie returned to the fold with this as the first cut from Get In. I Would Fix You actually made it to Radio 1's A list, which usually bodes well for a records sales. The song itself sounds to me rather like Brother John in some ways, although the production is reminisent of Brighter Shade of Blue off the PUNKA re-release. It's really excellent, and certainly one of the best songs the 'Nicks have recorded, let alone released. Naturally, it bombed in the charts.
Packed In: (X): Pete's previous outing as a solo songwriter was Lights out in a Provincial Town. Thankfully Packed In has a shorter title. The song is medium paced and once again sounds quite different to old 'Nick stuff. This at least is going a long way to proving that the new album will be far from a recycled version of At The Club. Incidentally, in the spirit of In Your Car, a quick bit of mental arithmentic (7x3x3) tells me that this tune features 63 "Yeah's"
I Would Fix You (Mint Royal Mix): (Laverne, Du Santiago, X): Not a bad remix by Mint Gun Club. However, it all sounds rather strange - full of bleepy noises, ooh-la-la's, cranky disco beats and bits that sound like the Guiness advert with the mad dancing man. Actually it sounds a bit like the Norman Cook remix of Cornershop's Brimful of Asha. Quite fun, though. A bit of airplay for the remixes might have boosted single sales in the first week.

I Would Fix You (2) As above

I Would Fix You (Album Version): (Laverne, Du Santiago, X): The key difference between the single and album edits of the son is the removal of a verse before the break in the single and an altered backing to the chorus, which has a rather glorious strings bit that subtley alters the textural quality of the melody (do I sound like a cunt or what?).
Rough Boys and Modern Girls: (Du Santiago): A nice song which sounds rather like Girls best friend or We Can Dream. Marie sings and sounds quite heavenly, but nonetheless, this is not my favourite b side.
I Would Fix You (DJ Downfall Mix): (Laverne, Du Santiago, X): A good deal of you will hate this. Johnny X recommended DJ Downfall on account of his being a big fan, I can see why. For the first four minutes we are treated to Lauren singing over a techno beat while deep bass chords alternatively follow and counterpoint the melody. In the background we can hear the band chattering away and laughing, it's probably a loop mind you. Anyhow, just when you start to wonder how much longer this will go on suddenly the tune bursts into a full on, vamped up, disco(ish) rendition of the "Don't stand still, don't cry" bit which pretty well continues until the end three minutes later. It sounds nothing like Kenickie at all. I think it's brilliant and inspired.

Stay In The Sun (1) Released: 10/8/98 on EMIDisc. Highest chart position: 43

Stay In The Sun (Radio Edit):: a not unenjoyable but ultimately disappointing second single. The song it self is not actually bad per se, but it's nowhere near as good as it could be, largely because the production sounds distictly like the Spice Girls. There, I've said it now. The live version of this song that I heard in Reading and Camden is about a billion times better. Nevertheless, Stay In The Sun is a very cheerful, summery, poppy song and is a cut or two above your average top ten crap and certainly better than anything else released that week, which is doubtless why it failed to chart.
Hooray For Everything: (Laverne): A damnably fine track in every sense. It would seem that someone has rather pissed of Lauren recently - that or I should mind my own business... This is a bit more "old school" Kenickie than anything from I Would Fix You, reminding me a bit of People We Want and Brother John. It also has the obligatory Sha-la-la bit, which is a good thing 'cos even my cracked vocal chords can manage those bits. In actual fact, I think this is better than Stay In The Sun.
Stay In The Sun Fridge Remix:

Stay In The Sun (1) As above

Stay In The Sun (Album Version):: If anyone can point out the difference between the album version and the radio edit I would be most grateful
Kisses For Me:: Made a B side by popular demand, this is the old Brotherhood Of Man eurovision winner covered for a special edition of Eurotrash. It's a lot better than the original.
Stay In The Sun Maxwell Implosion Influenza Remix: