Here's another one that I remember was kind of popular in America. I think. Maybe not, but I remember it had a hit single they used to play on modern rock radio and on the college stations. That was the main place to hear britpop in the states. On the college radio stations. You really didn't hear it too much on mainstream radio. Except for blur and spacehog and a few others who had some hits that broke through to mainstream radio. And MTV and shit. There was a lot of Britpop on MTV.
I'm not sure, but I think this is a band that was criticized really heavily. Maybe because they sounded so similar to Happy Mondays. But the songs It's On and Weekender are so spectacular that I don't see how anyone can argue with them. Even though the singer sounds like Shaun Ryder to an amazing degree, the music actually goes way beyond Happy Mondays. Although it's kind of in the same vein. But with some deeper sounds and even a kind of psychedelic atmosphere to it. It's actually more British sounding than any Britpop I've ever heard. At least it sounds that way to me. I think it was a year too early to be Britpop though. In any case, those two songs are spectacular. Most of their other songs are at least okay. And unlike a lot of britpop, the singing isn't a turn-off, but actually a real turn-on. I find the whole thing kind of sexy.
Here's another one that I remember was kind of popular in America. I think. Maybe not, but I remember it had a hit single they used to play on modern rock radio and on the college stations. That was the main place to hear britpop in the states. On the college radio stations. You really didn't hear it too much on mainstream radio. Except for blur and spacehog and a few others who had some hits that broke through to mainstream radio. And MTV and shit. There was a lot of Britpop on MTV.
They had two songs "Ready to go" and "Drop dead Gorgeous" that were played loads in the UK. Particularly MTV Europe but also Radio as well. I find "Drop dead Gorgeous" a pretty good single. I doubt the album is a masterpiece though 🤣
I'm not sure, but I think this is a band that was criticized really heavily. Maybe because they sounded so similar to Happy Mondays. But the songs It's On and Weekender are so spectacular that I don't see how anyone can argue with them. Even though the singer sounds like Shaun Ryder to an amazing degree, the music actually goes way beyond Happy Mondays. Although it's kind of in the same vein. But with some deeper sounds and even a kind of psychedelic atmosphere to it. It's actually more British sounding than any Britpop I've ever heard. At least it sounds that way to me. I think it was a year too early to be Britpop though. In any case, those two songs are spectacular. Most of their other songs are at least okay. And unlike a lot of britpop, the singing isn't a turn-off, but actually a real turn-on. I find the whole thing kind of sexy.
This is a lovely album. It's generally a gentle folky kind of thing, though with the odd blast of snarling guitar or horn assisted crescendo. They toned things down on later albums but this is pretty psychedelic, with floaty melodies, surreal lyrics and generally rather dreamy arrangements. The song structures are pretty unpredictable too, but the reliably strong melodies and gentle vocals make it all very accessible. There's a strong emphasis on celebrating Wales on this album but very little that relates it to the britpop scene really. That said, the breezy and infectious single Patio Song seems to recall Donovan and other people mention Kevin Ayers. Smile era Beach Boys seems another reference point.
The 60s styles in this charming video certainly play to the britpop crowd at least:
The keyboard player from flowered up was a founding member of republica.
I loved flowered up at the time, not heard them in years. I saw them live and they were great. I remember that gig making a choice of seeing either them or the prodigy. Being naive me and my pal never realised the prodigy started at the other venue after flowered up finished.
Flowered up were definately of the madchester type scene and like the Mondays maybe appealed to fans of club music too. They released some cracking singles, and as bobby (agree about the album) said especially weekender and Take It, the latter got heavy play at the britpop night I frequented. The thing with them is they did sound a bit polished on record I think. They were very hedonistic and unfortunately the drugs claimed the lives of both the Maher brothers, really sad.
There must be live footage on YouTube and I know they did Snub tv. Worth checking for the legendary Barry Mooncult.
I like the Longpips too. I had the debut album when it came out and played it a lot. I wrote a little review and posted a video for "On and On" on page 19 of this thread.
My brother gave me this years ago and he said it was Punk Britpop. Or did he say Psychedelic Britpop? Either way he didn't know what he was talking about. It's asolutely horrendous. Has anyone ever heard of this before?
🤣 Not heard that. I did buy the ep before that though, along with the s.m.a.s.h. one. The new wave of new wave is what the music press called it. These animal men are definately one of the bands that came just before that hinted at what would come. Especially what they looked like, from what I remember.
When "A Girl Like You" was released in the summer of 94 it was a great hit single. But no doubt most people, like me, presumed it was a novelty hit and dismissed Edwyn as a one hit wonder. How wrong could we be! I like to think that the Orange Juice man sensed the prevailing mood, and saw the time to strike with this, his most britpop song by far. In truth, it probably sounds like Berlin era Iggy Pop more than anything else, but its close enough to Bowie to count.
The rest of the album is largely more understated, with Edwyn alternating between being charmingly self-effacing and witheringly cynical: "Yes, yes, yes its the summer festival/ the truly detestable summer festival" he memorably sneers on the opener. It's all strong stuff-taking in soul, jangle pop and folk-and is infused with Collins' trademark ease with melody and wit. Another strong showing in this man's exceptional career.
My brother gave me this years ago and he said it was Punk Britpop. Or did he say Psychedelic Britpop? Either way he didn't know what he was talking about. It's asolutely horrendous. Has anyone ever heard of this before?
🤣 Not heard that. I did buy the ep before that though, along with the s.m.a.s.h. one. The new wave of new wave is what the music press called it. These animal men are definately one of the bands that came just before that hinted at what would come. Especially what they looked like, from what I remember.
This New Wave of the New Wave seems an almost forgotten part of the Britpop story. Presumably Elastica were at the forefront of this? Not sure, but maybe Echobelly could be considered part of this as well? I feel very uninformed about this wave of bands 🫢
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