Published: Monday, 11th August, 2008 8:00am

Latest reviews by Matt Meade

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THIS WEEK'S SINGLES

NOAH AND THE WHALE – Five Years time

Five Years time sounds like a mainstream and straight Magnetic Fields, from the mandolin guitar and knowing female backing vocals, to the cleverly conversational lyrics. For want a more loquacious expression, it"s really good. So good, in fact, that saturated airplay will lead to overkill meaning you"ll be sick of it in 5 weeks" time never mind five years. So you"ve got just a month and a bit to savour one of the catchiest moments of pop simplicity in 2008.

Rating 4/5

THE VERVE – Love Is Noise

It"s been 10 years since the Verve released their last single – 1998s Sonnet. That was a marvellously crafted and sublime tune. Love Is Noise is not in the same league, but is still a decent addition to a solid back catalogue. Alright, alright, I"m a Verve fan and incapable of giving them a bad review. It"s frustrating hearing this – a jaded sounding B-side at best – when you know the Wigan men are capable of a lot more. Pars fans will have the same bittersweet sympathy for me. This is just such an incredibly lazy effort from one of the great British bands. But, the hell with you, I"m giving it 4/5.

Rating 4/5

SONNY J – Can"t Stop Moving

If your stereo was as flammable as a tin of Lynx Africa, this is the sort of noise you"d get if it fell onto a blazing November bonfire.

Can"t stop moving, from Liverpudlian DJ Sonnington James III, is bursting with jauntiness and has added musical e-numbers since its original 2007 release. There"s some humorous samples too if you listen closely enough, but you might be too busy dancing like a loon for that. A big slice fun but far too derivative of the Go! Team and the Avalanches to be judged on its merits.

Rating 3/5