Brit Pop
BBC America (the channel of choice in the Burr household) has been showing some interesting music shows over the last few week. There was one on The beatles (we missed that one for obvious reasons), there was one on the Rolling Stones which was interesting, there was one about Top of the Pops which was entertaining for the hair styles alone, and there was one about Tom Jones which was educational for Jen.
The last 2 episodes were a huge disappointment though. The penultimate one was about Brit Pop, and “how it changed the world as we know it”. It was embarrsing to see a succession of British journalist’s and social commentators (the normal array of second rate comedians you get on these shows) claim that Brit Pop changed the face of pop music in the world, how the best band in the world were oasis at this time, and how Brit Pop was a massive political statement/movement.
Now maybe I have forgotten most of that time, but I seem to remember that Parklife was the modern day equivalent of Come On Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners, with huge groups of students dancing in a circle kicking their legs out. I remember the terrible lyrics that Oasis came up with (She’s Electric is a classic example of poor lyrics – “She’s got a cousin, in fact she’s got about a dozen” anyone?), and I remember how Pulp’s Different Class album was a call to all ugly people everywhere that there was someone who was just like you. I do not remember massive political statements. And apart from a small handful of bands, does anyone listen to or even care about the music that came out of that time? When was the last time you listened to the entire Blur Parklife album? When was the last time anyone listened to Shed 7, Elastica, Gay Dad, The Bluetones? There were some truly awful groups who were pulled into the Brit Pop movement.
As I was sat there with jen there was just a long lit of groups that had never done anything since 1997. Now I don’t dispute that some of these groups wrote great songs. Wonderwall by Oasis is a sheer classic song. But apart form that song are there many others that would make your top 50 songs? Comments are as always more than welcome.
The final show was the Brit Awards which were held in February, but we only just got. Now it may be that I am now too old for this sort of thing, and I’ll be honest the Brits were never my favourite since they have never really been in tune with my musical tastes, but this year’s seem worse than at any time I can remember. I have no idea who the host was, but he was awful, it was like a 2007 version of Julian Clary but with out the humour and with added hair. And the bands I had no idea about, and Oasis getting lifetime achievement award was surely a cunning joke that I failed to get.
To recover I had to listen to all my Bowie albums in chronological order. Ahh that’s better.
The last 2 episodes were a huge disappointment though. The penultimate one was about Brit Pop, and “how it changed the world as we know it”. It was embarrsing to see a succession of British journalist’s and social commentators (the normal array of second rate comedians you get on these shows) claim that Brit Pop changed the face of pop music in the world, how the best band in the world were oasis at this time, and how Brit Pop was a massive political statement/movement.
Now maybe I have forgotten most of that time, but I seem to remember that Parklife was the modern day equivalent of Come On Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners, with huge groups of students dancing in a circle kicking their legs out. I remember the terrible lyrics that Oasis came up with (She’s Electric is a classic example of poor lyrics – “She’s got a cousin, in fact she’s got about a dozen” anyone?), and I remember how Pulp’s Different Class album was a call to all ugly people everywhere that there was someone who was just like you. I do not remember massive political statements. And apart from a small handful of bands, does anyone listen to or even care about the music that came out of that time? When was the last time you listened to the entire Blur Parklife album? When was the last time anyone listened to Shed 7, Elastica, Gay Dad, The Bluetones? There were some truly awful groups who were pulled into the Brit Pop movement.
As I was sat there with jen there was just a long lit of groups that had never done anything since 1997. Now I don’t dispute that some of these groups wrote great songs. Wonderwall by Oasis is a sheer classic song. But apart form that song are there many others that would make your top 50 songs? Comments are as always more than welcome.
The final show was the Brit Awards which were held in February, but we only just got. Now it may be that I am now too old for this sort of thing, and I’ll be honest the Brits were never my favourite since they have never really been in tune with my musical tastes, but this year’s seem worse than at any time I can remember. I have no idea who the host was, but he was awful, it was like a 2007 version of Julian Clary but with out the humour and with added hair. And the bands I had no idea about, and Oasis getting lifetime achievement award was surely a cunning joke that I failed to get.
To recover I had to listen to all my Bowie albums in chronological order. Ahh that’s better.
posted by Nick at 3:31 PM
2 Comments:
I agree about the Brit Pop thing, and while Wonderwall is musically good (the Tinners certainly got some mileage out of it) comparing your partner to a voyeuristic hole in the wall (first written about by George Harrison I believe, didn't they just rip everything off the Beatles?)is perhaps not lyrical genius.
I think todays song writing is in general stronger than brit pops short cuts. Interesting debate though Mr B. Hope you all settle in well to the new house.
Ian
P.S Russel Brand is a comedy genius - you must be loosing your appreciation for British "carry on" humour!
well, i feel we should ask "what is brit pop"any way. seems to me it was a load of student bands somehow finding they have a record deal. but there was a few good bands from the mid 90s like JAMES and ...... mmmmmm i ll get back to you with some more.
grant
p.s Russel brand should be put in a little box, with no air holes, then put in a very dark room, with the door looked and not come out for at least a year.
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