Thanks for all your support this year, we will see you in the Winter.

In a poor week for singles we start with The Fratellis. Is it no secret that us, along with the majority of indie fans, have fallen out of love with this band, an with singles like this it isn’t hard to see why. After the outright failure of humiliating album-trailer Mistress Mabel, the only saving grace would have been to release one of a couple of decent tracks from Here We Stand, but instead we are left with this limp, overly-retro excuse for music. Pathetic. 3/10

THE MUSIC – The Spike

A far more commercial turn for the second single to be lifted from new album Strength in Numbers that is severely lacking in the passion and depth that The Music once had to offer. A strange take on the quiet/loud, verse/chorus grunge blueprint, featuring un-naturally hushed vocals from Robert Harvey. It is hard to imagine this is the same band who once had the potential to grab the world by its throat and give it a damn good kicking. 5/10

THE AUTOMATIC – Steve McQueen

Following last week’s tirade against Biffy Clyro, it is with a surprising amount of pleasure that we announced the return of another of our similarly hated below-par indie bands. Thankfully since the last album our sole bugbear about the Welsh boys – namely backing vocalist Pennie who single-handedly rendered their music unlistenable – has disappeared. What is left is an average band with a few decent tunes, including this much-improved, albeit largely uninspiring, poppy anthem. 6/10

THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS – Midnight Madness

Released under the Electronic Battle Weapon label, this brings the series to a close and features on new compilation album Brotherhood. While we don’t condone a second Greatest Hits so soon after the first, this mash up of tunes from Tom and Ed deserves its place on that record. 7/10

An anthem for a new generation…

It takes something for a band of The Verve’s ambiguous position to end their headlining Glastonbury set with a new song. Of course when that new song is as good as Love Is Noise, they need not have worried.

Forget Ashcroft’s dull solo offerings, this is The Verve, this is music, and boy are they back. As ground-breaking as it is classic Verve, this computerised sample-led anthem romps along to the sound of Nick McCabe’s guitar, a thumping bass line from Simon Jones and Ashcroft’s unmistakably Heavenly vocals. An unequivocal triumph.

Not even for Glasvegas will we wave our re-release penalty, so that’s a mark off already. The single that launched them into the A&R scramble back last year, this shows the potential that the Scots have. Not since Cigarettes and Alcohol have such direct lyrics been so emotive, and although whether they can replicate the Gallaghers’ success remains to be seen, we can but hope. 9/10

BIFFY CLYRO - Mountains

Yeah okay, we hated ‘the Biff’ as much as the next sane reviewer for many years, and that is something that we very much stand by. But far from packing it in as we had hoped – and albeit five years too late to erase our longstanding despising of them of them – they’ve actually come up with a corker of a single, that fortunately is neither lightweight or highly unoriginal like much of their back-catalogue. And so for that, at least for this week, we bow our hats to them. 8/10

FEEDER - Tracing Lines

Ah Feeder, we meet again. Unfortunately it’s more like old friends with little in common these days, than anything else. Quite what happened to the band that produced Polythene is something of a mystery, lead astray by the delights of acoustic guitars and balladry. Nevermind though because, like the previous singles from this album, the rockier sound is back, and while there isn’t the rawness that we used to love, there’s still something there to cherish. 6/10

THE MAYBES? - Summertime

Back in March we predicted good things for the Scousers, and following a successful festival season, they haven’t disappointed. This third single from debut album Promise shows what they can do with a bit of fine tuning. Like a refined version of The Zutons, similarly upbeat and quirky, catch them while you can on the toilet circuit before they hit the big time. 7/10

Let’s get something sorted: This isn’t folk. It’s not even close. It’s not indie-folk, new-rave folk, or anything else that Scott Mills and Jo Whiley want to call it. Oh and having it on your iPod doesn’t make you ‘cool’ like a surfer. Right now that’s over with, we’ve got two lines left to describe the song. Well it’s alright in a ‘I’ve bought a Jack Johnson album, but I’m from Twickenham’ kind of way. If you like that kind of thing. 6/10

THE RACONTEURS - Many Shades Of Black

Yes it’s not the thumping Jack White tunes that litter the excellent Consolers Of The Lonely, but this Brendan Benson penned number does have a lot going for it. Admittedly the production and setting here are awful, being more inclined to something you’d see Colin Jackson waltzing to on Strictly Come Dancing, but at least it has provided us with the best cover version of the year (ref. Adele’s myspace), so for that we are grateful. 7/10

THE CHARLATANS - Mis-Takes

Let’s face it, nobody cares about Oasis nowadays, let alone fellow Britpop survivors The Charlatans, so are they really relevant any more? Well a failed attempt at publicly by releasing their latest album You Cross My Path for free earlier this year went largely unnoticed, so the general consensus would say not. It’s a shame really because with great little pop singles like this – albeit very much in the 90’s indie mould still – they are still a band with something to offer. 7/10

MARK MORRISS - Lay Low

Which brings us neatly to this rather quirky offering from the former Bluetones frontman. Following a storming Glastonbury set with his old band, Morriss has taken a more mellow approach with this download-only new single, but strangely enough the melodies and choruses that made him famous ten years ago creep through here with a certain amount of credibility resulting in something of a songwriting gem. 7/10

After all the hoohah of the website countdown and Zane Lowe appearance, the resulting single lifted off the forthcoming album only mid-way through its recording is surprisingly good. Carrying on where Flux left off, the shift from indie lightweights to dancefloor fillers is nearly complete for Bloc Party, and long may they continue to write thumping electro drum ‘n’ bass material like this. 8/10

R.E.M. - Man-Sized Wreath

Proof that there is plenty of life left in the old dog yet, despite the media furore over the Cardiff gig downsize. One of the highlights of the excellent Accelerate sees the guitars turned back up eleven and the ever great sound of Green return in R.E.M.’s moment of renaissance. Fantastic. 8/10

THE TING TINGS - Shut Up And Let Me Go

Too obvious a title for puns, unlike their stateside elder’s canine reference above, this is very much proof of nothing but a one trick pony. On the surface there’s nothing wrong with it, but, as a sports commentator would say, the chavtastic vocals and harmonised drum/guitar combo is all they have in their locker, and unfortunately that is not enough for us. 6/10

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS – It’s Not About You

Seriously? Not only do we have to put up with the fact that Scouting For Girls exist, or the fact that She’s So Lovely was on the Radio 1 playlist for about a year, but now they have the cheek to re-release their first single to give Jo Whiley et al an excuse to bore us to death with another load of tripe all over again. For the love of God, JUST GO AWAY. 1/10

With Oasis and The Verve being criticised for becoming parodies of themselves and Led Zeppelin recognising they have become little more than their own cover band, how refreshing it is to hear the now equally unmodern Bobby Gillespie return with a rampant hit that is unmistakably Primal Scream. Their best work for ages, it proves they can still kick it with the Skins generation. 8/10

IDA MARIA - I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked

Yeah yeah it’s Radio1’s favourite tune, we know, because of its slightly ‘edgy’ content, but f*ck me its still a great little record. Sounding like Abba on speed, craving a bit of action, Ida Maria has probably produced the song that will end up defining the summer. Hey, at least it’s not Scouting For Girls. 8/10

MCFLY - One For The Radio

Look, we have a lot of time for McFly, but ripping off the Gummy Bears theme tune is one step too far boys. Not even close to some of their better material, the title really says it all, however ironic they meant it to be. Too poppy and cliched for most, including us, we are afraid. 5/10

THE PIGEON DETECTIVES - Everybody Wants Me

Seriously, where did it all go wrong? Take Her Back was one of the high points of 2007, and even the hit and miss debut album stayed on our stereo for longer than five minutes, unlike the piss-poor follow-up. It’s easy to accuse a band of being a one trick pony, but at the end of the day there’s only so much second rate indie we can suffer. Lacking even the merest substance to make it worthwhile releasing as a single, this is band in rapid decline. 3/10

It’s a reviewer’s prerogative to compare new tracks to old bands, so for Turner and Kane’s latest single refer hastily to the work of The Coral. Penned by the similarly Scouse Rascals’ frontman, he’s taken the rough cut of Liverpool and planted it straight into a quiet Spanish bar, and ends up sounding like something James Bond might relax to with a Pina Colada. 7/10

BECK - Chemtrails

Not officially a single, but the first offering from his recent Danger Mouse collaborations is now available to download, and about time too. The massive producer has toned-down Beck’s dizziness into a warmer, more epic sound that will inevitably draw deserving Radiohead comparisons. 8/10

PAUL HEATON - Mermaids And Slaves

Despite his recent comments that The Beautiful South split due to the staleness caused by ‘musical similarities’, this single from Heaton’s second solo album hardly sees a massive step in any different direction. Pure back of the pub knees-up jukebox fare, it won’t set the world alight, but might just do well thanks to its Radio 2 playlisting. 6/10

THE KOOKS - Shine On

When we reviewed Konk it was a debate what the next single would be after the excellent Always Where I Need To Be, such was the distinct lack of decent tunes on the album. Passing over the more robust Sway, this ridiculous choice leaves the band as sitting ducks to their many critics with its trite lyrics and hapless melodies. It’s perfect material for Jo Whiley’s lunchtime playlist, but that certainly doesn’t make it any good. 3/10

He’s not the most liked man in Indie, but for all Liam Fray’s failings St Jude wasn’t half bad. There will be those who slate this for its ridiculous Morrissey pastiche in the chorus, but other than that it bounces along with its ska beats just fine as a perfect compliment to the albums over-blown fiery moments. 7/10

DIRTY PRETTY THINGS – Tired Of England

Let’s get something out of the way. It sounds like The Jam. Seriously. And yes, we know every review will say that, but it really does. But hey, since when did echoing Weller at his best ever become a bad thing? While Doherty plays away with Winehouse and co, Carl Barat has been slaving away writing anthems for a nation. And you can’t say fairer than that. 7/10

GLASVEGAS - Geraldine

First full release single from the Glaswegians, but every A&R man and his dog knows about their qualities by now. Simply the best band to have emerged from Scotland for a very very long time (calm down Kyle), this tune has been pumped up from the Home Tapes demos and perfectly showcases their talent. Forget the retro haircuts, this lot are well and truly at the here and now, and should be around for a long time to come. 9/10

BLACK KIDS – Hurricane Jane

Speaking of retro, this couldn’t be more 80s if it dipped itself in Sherbet and rolled itself all over George Michael. Now there’s a thought. Anyways back to the music, and this is a fine second single from the Florida bunch, not quite with the same hook as their floor-filling debut, but nevertheless standing them in good stead for forthcoming album Partie Traumatic. Has anyone got any liquorice? 7/10

It’s funny how Panic! went from Emo heavy-weights to cheesy revivalists, but it doesn’t seem to have affected their fanbase. Much like the rest of Pretty. Odd. this single solely exists to force its big chorus into your ears and, like Arctic Monkeys covering the The Monkees, strangely appeals. 7/10

THE KILLS - Last Day Of Magic

What is it with Kate Moss? First Babyshambles went tits up with her in tow, now The Kills, one of the most promising bands of recent times, have lost their way. There’s no mistaking Alison Mosshart’s awesome vocal talent, reminiscent of Polly Jean at her best, but three lukewarm albums later and you just can’t help but feel there’s still something missing from the finished article. 5/10

FEEDER - We Are The People

Following thumping free single Miss You it seems Feeder are another band finding a return to form. We loved Feeder back when Polythene was still fresh out of, well, its wrapper over ten years ago, but in between Grant Nicholas has had a touch of the Kelly Jones and let the mainstream ballads take over. Fear not though, the Welsh dragon is breathing again. It’s not the most charismatic of tunes, but as long as the amps are turned up to 11 again, we are willing to forgive them for now. 7/10

THE MUSIC - Strength In Numbers

We have waited years for this. The Music are back, and boy are they back. Reviving the spirit of the early singles like Take The Long Road, the drug-fuelled energy returns after a long time in the wilderness. May well only be the precursor to a more dominating return from The Verve, but for now embrace the the fact that Rob Harvey, complete with the soaring vocals and pumping riffs, has got his head back in the right place. Fantastic. 8/10