Figgle: Wax Buildup

[ Singles Going Steady- June 13, 2002 ]

Wax Buildup: Singles Going Steady
written by Steve Reynolds

The beginning of summer to me always signifies the start of another season — singles season. As a child of the mid-70s to early-80s, the summertime was usually the only chance I got to catch up on the pop sounds of the day. So, as I await the blistering heat to arrive and peel the paint off the walls of my non-air-conditioned apartment, it seems like a perfect time to check out what tunes will likely ingrain themselves into our skulls in the summer of 2002.

Eminem Eminem - "Without Me" (Aftermath/Interscope)
A goofy video, production by Dr Dre and the usual slams of a current pop star usually equal another great single from the twisted mind of Detroit’s bad boy poster child. But "Without Me" sounded past its expiration date as soon as it hit the airwaves. This is territory Em has covered before, with a much sharper lyrical focus. One can only hope that the rest of The Eminem Show isn’t as weak as this mediocre track.

Jimmy Eat World - "In the Middle" (DreamWorks)
It’s been a slow a steady path to success for the second single from J.E.W.’s latest album, Bleed American. "In the Middle" has been conquering stations across the country, one by one, for the past 30 weeks, and finally broke into the Billboard Top 10 in May. Alas, the 2 minutes and change of power-pop this song offers up will probably overshadow anything else they release in the future.

No Doubt No Doubt - "Hella Good" (Interscope)
It’s surprising to hear No Doubt do a cover of that 80s gem…umm, wait, this ISN"T a cover. It’s just an amazing replication of the summer of 1983. The synth patterns used on this Rock Steady track have been stuck in someone’s Roland keyboard just screaming to get out over the past 15 years. Gwen Stefani and company - never ones to be afraid of the recent past—deliver what is easily their best single since "Just a Girl." I hear their next single sounds just like Romeo Void.

Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott - "Hero" (Columbia/Roadrunner/Island/Def Jam)
Every summer features a guilty pleasure, and here’s mine. "Hero" is a song written to order for a soundtrack (Spider-Man), which is usually a sure kiss of death. It’s also an all-star collaboration (Nickelback’s Kroeger and Saliva’s Scott have Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron behind them on drums) which only works in the rap world. Somehow, in spite of itself, "Hero" succeeds in spades. The hook ("I know a hero can save us/But I’m not gonna stand here and wait") says so much in such simple terms, and somehow nails the essence of Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker. Wait, it’s on the radio again, let me grab my power ballad lighter...

The Hives The Hives - "Hate to Say I Told You So" (Burning Heart/Epitaph/Sire)
Sweden’s best export since Roxette (oh come on, admit it, you LIKED "The Look" when it was released back in the day) is starting to make some noise on Modern Rock stations around the country because of what they aren’t. There’s isn’t a DJ, a rock-rapper or a third-rate Eddie Vedder within miles of this single—that makes "Hate to Say I Told You So" the perfect counterpoint to 75 percent of the music currently on these stations. That’s not meant to take anything away from this blast of garage rock (hell, it may be the best single of the year). But radio likes to find something new when they sense a trend might be starting to slow down commercially, and these Swedish boys are in the right place at the right time.

WEB SITES: Eminem | Jimmy Eat World | No Doubt | The Hives

June 2002