Don't Believe the Hype

So 2007 has churned out its first lists of the year with their usual predictable hopes for the upcoming months. Despite some genuine predictions many papers have played it safe by predicting acts who are relatively well established.

The Klaxons have entered number 3 in the BBC's Sound of 2007 poll which, due to their album release in a couple of weeks time, a successful EP and two club hits of last year, is no surprise. Yes the band's debut album may land them the radio airplay they've been longing but they're hardly new to 2007. The Guardian have played it even safer as they name their act of 2007.....The Shins. Now releasing their fourth album the band already have a trusty following, almost cult making it near impossible for them to break free, even if Wincing the Night Away is a masterpiece the chance of the band selling out arenas is highly likely.

The next band on just about every list going is The Twang, soon to be nicknamed The Twats who come from Birmingham (or new Birmingham if you're the NME.) Now its 98% sure that the last thing this country wants is another Arctic Monkeys. The scene's dead, done with and its time to let go. Yet bands like The Twang and Sunshine Underground come ready made with an 'I'm as normal as owt me' label and are possibly the most boring acts to emerge, making it unfathomable to wonder how they entered such a list in the first place. If these are the sound of 2007 hang yourself now.

Enter Shikari even some of us have to admit, are not quite doing it by the book. Having been offered major deals the band have ultimately decided after selling out London's Astoria that they're doing just fine on their own. Its mainly through this route that the band have gained their press especially as they sound like a cross between ¡Forward Russia! and Klaxons (you'd think this would sound great.)

The lists have finally done right however for the ultimate act of 2007, voted number 1 in the Sound of 2007 poll- Mika. Sounding like a breakaway act from the Scissor Sisters the Beruit born singer is the slightly camp act for 2007 who, after his album release in January will hopefully stop the James Blunt/Morrison generation and create hope for male singers who are allowed to smile and occasionally dance. We can only hope finally the hype will pay off.

As for the real new acts of 2007 stay tuned...

Mika- Grace Kelly