Diamanda Galas reviews a bunch of singles

SINGLE GIRL
Scream queen Diamanda Galás rates a slew of
recent singles

By LD Beghtol

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Low & Spring Heel Jack
“Way Behind” (Tugboat)

This starts out really out there. The instrumental parts sound like samples of those great ’60s French free-jazz records. I really like the thick harmonies under the vocals. And the bass playing is really nice, really trippy. That kind of dissonant thing—like he’s playing totally out of tune, but he’s really right there with it. It’s perfect.

Britney Spears
“Oops!…I Did It Again” (Jive)

This is my favorite song right now! She doesn’t even sound human! This is a producer’s dream—a sicko producer’s dream. I see her doing the soundtrack for a Linda Blair film—like my fantasy radioactive-worm film, where the protagonist gets attacked by radioactive worms. Britney’s got the voice for that—she sounds like a radioactive worm and she just crawls right under your skin. I’m a huge fan of hers, and nobody believes it. But you know something? Anyone who’d expect me to hate Britney would probably expect me to hate Bambi, too. And hating Britney would be like shooting Bambi in a barrel. I love her. And I love Sandra Dee, too!

Elastica
“Nothing Stays the Same” (Deceptive)

Oh, I love this girl’s voice. It reminds me of the Shangri-Las, it’s so beautiful. Are they English? They must be. It’s not my kind of music at all, but I really respect this. They’re great.

Freakwater
“Queen Bee” (Thrill Jockey)

Love it, love it, love it! This is the kind of music I play when my boyfriend comes over. This is the shit, baby. Anyone who uses a pedal steel is fine in my book.

Future Bible Heroes
“I’m Lonely (and I Love It)” (Merge)

I love the production on this—it’s obviously a sardonic take on Donna Summer disco. God, I love this man’s voice—it’s just terrific. This is Stephin Merritt, right? I just want to smack him silly—he’s so…this is so fucking hilarious. Lou Reed wishes he were a man like this! He’s just right in your pants, isn’t he? Well, not my pants, probably.

Stars
“When?” (Le Grand Magistery)

This reminds me of what my gay husband used to listen to at Russian River. He’d go there all the time on vacation. It was all about being totally relaxed and not having a care in the fucking world. And being totally…trivial.

Stock, Hausen & Walkman
“Jellywand” (Hot Air)

This is like a classic James Brown arrangement but with samples and analogue synths and stuff instead of guitars. This is really, really ill. Oh, what a sick little solo—God, and now a polka? This is so sick, I just love it. Very smart.

Trembling Blue Stars
“She Just Couldn’t Stay” (Shinkansen)

Oh, no. No! This is much too sensitive for me. Are they English? Straight? I just don’t care about sensitive straight boys and their problems. Put a tampon on it, honey.

Sleater-Kinney
“You’re No Rock ‘N’ Roll Fun” (Kill Rock Stars)

She’s no walk in the park, either, is she? Please turn it off.

Primal Scream
“Shoot Speed/Kill Light” (Astralwerks)

This is great great great great great….
Who are these guys? Are they Scottish? I love the vocals mixed back, all distorted. The production is so amazing. I could hear me doing my Wagnerian thing on top of it.

Amanda Ghost
“Filthy Mind” (Warner Bros.)

You don’t hear much of this kind of disco stuff anymore. It immediately takes you to a really sleazy place—I love that. But I liked it better before the singer came in. I wish it were a man’s voice, talking real low and telling a story—very matter-of-fact. But when I hear this chick’s voice, it just sounds like all that alternative shit. Sorry, sister. It’s not you; it’s the music. I mean, it’s not the music; it’s you.

Macha Loved Bedhead
“Believe” (Jetset)

This is fantastic — it’s so fucking smart! Marilyn Manson and I have been talking about doing a cover of that Paul Anka song “Having My Baby,” and I’d absolutely do it if these guys produced. This is genius.