Tag Archive for Britpop

28th April

Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy

See yesterday’s post. I thought I would complete the trip down memory lane.

23rd April

Ash – Kung Fu

I heard a live recording of this played on 6music this week and nostalgia washed over me. 1977 was a massive album in my early days of secondary school. Northern Irish lads riding the britpop wave and making great music, it was all quite exciting. On reflection Two Door Cinema Club remind me a little of them.

I don’t know if they have done anything as good since (although Free All Angels wasn’t bad) but listening to this track, or Goldfinger or Oh Yeah returns me to a simpler time.

Aside

Athlete – Westside

Another favourite from University. This was my soundtrack for many a rainy walk to a math lecture.

I also had a memorable night watching these guys play at the Spring and Airbrake (that takes me back) what seems like an eternity ago (probably 2004 or 2005).

Aside

Delphic – Doubt

Internet problems persist. Another up tempo, up and coming Manchester band who owe some of their sound to the 1980’s.

7th March

The answering machine – Lifeline

I thought I would post something current as I have been stuck on a few old favourites in recent days. I don’t know a great deal about these guys other than they are an up and coming band from Manchester.

I hear some of that musical tradition in this song, from Doves to the Smiths and Joy Division. I don’t know if these guys will ever make it into that class, but I have certainly found this to be pretty arresting today.

It feels like spring has arrived in London today – I am sure it won’t last…

Aside

Lucky Soul – White Russian Doll

These guys remind me of a British version of Phoenix with a female singer. They have a happy knack of making 3 minutes of perfect pop. They also clearly know how to put a hip video together.

A funny comment posted (not by me) on youtube about the above video:

“Dear lucky soul,

never stop doing what you do.
forever yours,
-me”

Doves – Black and white town


Much to my delight I found a mint condition 45 of this in my local thrift store on Saturday. It is a great song, one of my very favourites of the 2000’s (perhaps less of an accolade than I mean it to be). At the time of it’s release (2005) I could very much relate to the sense of yearning for something different I heard in the song. I still love it – an atmospheric, relentless anthem.

Doves are great live band and having seen them 3 or 4 times they have never disappointed. They put on the best visual show I have ever experienced. You can see some of that from the video here, which is very arresting and clearly gave some inspiration to Little Comets.

Los Campesinos! – Death to Los Campesinos!


Los Campesinos are a band I came across a couple of years ago. I think they are from Cardiff having formed while studying there.

The track is a little unpolished but I like it’s energy.

/RjK

Oasis – Slide Away


I have been listening to a song by Liam Gallagher’s new band  quite a bit this week. It seems he has retained his ability to belt out an anthemic tune. Oasis became something of a caricature of themselves towards the end, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that they released two staggering albums. The fact that Definitely Maybe and (What’s the story) Morning Glory? coincided with me really discovering music for the first time means I will always have a special appreciation for them.

I found it hard to believe that Slide Away was released in the summer of ‘94 but it has aged well. The combination of the towering guitar riff and Liam’s imploring vocal that makes it very compelling.

/RjK

Little Comets – Isles


Don’t know much about these guys other than I like this song. Their wikipedia page suggests they make “Kitchen sink indie” whatever that means!

It is a very enjoyable video containing some interesting imagery. Even if it mirrors the song’s rather grim lyrics – “The streets are bleak, the kids are running wild.” It must be depressing up north!

/RjK