UK chart shows signs of winter freeze

In the not so distant past, the UK Charts held as much surprise from one week to the next as the best whodunit movie. Unpredictability remained the only thing predictable. Fast forward to 2007, a new year and new chart rules having just the opposite effect of what one would expect.

The chart hasn’t become more volatile, instead it’s become more regular. Same number one song, Mika’s “Grace Kelly” as last week, and the week before that, means not much going on in the top portion.

The chart has very little activity until the first debut all the way down at 22 with Kasabian and their new track “Me plus one”.

Sophie Ellis-Bexter returns to the charts this week at number 28 with “Catch You”. By far more edgy than her previous dance floor friendly retro romps, this track still has all the high energy dance beats in the right places but with a heavier guitar riff. Not exactly the track of the century, but it must sound great on the dance floor.

Take That, after dominating the number one position for the remaining month of last year, make a rather dim debut at number 30 with “Shine”, with a few patience we may see this one climb higher but for now it seems like the year’s best comeback has begun to lose steam.

Nelly Furtado continues to steamroll the chart with yet another cut from her summer jam “Loose” album. “Say it Right” is already top 3 Stateside and it enters the UK charts at 37 while former top tenner “All good things” continues to cling on four steps higher at 33.

Snow Patrol continue to climb the chart with their smash song “Chasing Cars” up 32 to 24 while new track “Open your eyes” bows in at 52. Finally Fratellis make the third group to claim double status on the chart this week. Although in their case it’s not an older hit and a brand new track but rather two new tracks making their chart debut the same week at numbers 41 and 43.

Interestingly, former married couple and members of the ever growing “who cares” pile, Nick Lackey and ex-wife Jessica Simpson both debut with their versions of the nasty divorce. Nick comes in stronger with “What’s left of me” at 47 and Jessica sticks her bubble gum under the seat at 52 with “Public Affair”.

Switches prances into the lower ranks of the chart with their track “Drama Queen”. With a title like that I was expecting and over the top, campy parade of clichéd lyrics and a startling commentary on some pressing issue. Instead the track is a forgettable indie rocker reminiscent of Blur’s “Song 2” but only the screaming part. A rather mess, I wish this band had switched on a bit of originality. unfortunately this song sounds like a classic rock by numbers cut. Just hearing it I can imagine the band recording it in someone’s garage.

At 63 the Noisettes enter with “Sister Rosetta” which tragically sounds like the female version of Switches, and that is being generous. In all a rather bland batch of debuts. It makes the number 56 return of Jackson 5’s “I want you back” all the more welcome.