Calling Anyone Who Ever Liked Suede, Blur, Pulp, Oasis etc.

Posted by: bhazen on 15 April 2005

I'm halfway through a great book by a guy called John Harris about the 90's pop scene in Britain called "The Last Party". it's ust about the best social history of a music scene I've ever read; although not advertised, it also details the 80's "indie" movement as well. As an American, I'm always surprised at how pop in the U.K. reflects class differences, and also the intense press involvement in pop (which here in the U.S. is largely still relegated to "youth ghetto" magazines like Spin and the elderly Rolling Stone, MTV and the occasional mention on a CNN entertainment segment. I'm also intrigued how Tony Blair and the Labor Party used Britpop for political purposes; Bush, when questioned, couldn't name a favorite album by the Beatles (although he panders to the NASCAR/New Country crowd).

To summarise: this book is Top, Mega, and I'm Mad For It.
Posted on: 15 April 2005 by Berlin Fritz
I saw an interview with him recently, a very switched on chap indeed.


Fritz Von I reckon our Mat could have coached him even ? Winker
Posted on: 15 April 2005 by JonR
That's v interesting, bhazen, I have albums by all four bands in the thread title and in fact I always considered Suede to be the best band of the 90s. It was definitely Blur's most inventive period too.

Jon
Posted on: 16 April 2005 by bhazen
quote:
Originally posted by JonR:
I always considered Suede to be the best band of the 90s.

Jon


I have no Suede; which album should I get as representative? Is there a compilation that might be good as well? This may be a chellenge, Suede appear to have made very little impact on the market here in the U.S., and the last time I checked at my fave local CD emporium, there wasn't even a section in the bin for them.

Cheers

Bruce
Posted on: 16 April 2005 by JonR
Bruce,

Suede did a number of albums which, admittedly, are not entirely consistent in quality but still mostly excellent. However, I reckon the best album they ever did is "Dog Man Star" which to my mind contains some of the finest songs you will ever hear...from a UK indie band that isn't Radiohead anyway!

Suede were distinct from most other bands for being as famous for their B-sides as they were for their more well-known singles and album tracks. In fact they were known for playing secret gigs for their fans where all the tracks played were B-sides. However, they did eventually release a double-CD compilation of B-sides called 'Sci-Fi Lullabies" and if you can find this anywhere then you will be in for a treat.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Jon