Indeed, it’s revisionism. Most younger people (and even some older ones!) were too busy getting onto the dancefloor to lose themselves to the latest house tunes whilst the Britpop bands strutted about the stage at festivals. Both genres co-existed and were enjoyed, though Britpop died with the cynicism of Blair whilst dance music went global.
Mark Chadwick
2 months ago
Britpop was the musical equivalent of New Labour – completely overrated by the media and managed to take so many people in.
I agree. As a relatively unbiased Irishman who quite liked some of Pulp and Suede’s stuff, in my view, British mainstream pop n rock during the 1960s, and British indie rock n pop during the period 1976 – 1986, both walked all over anything 90s Britpop ever amounted to.
Ian Stewart
2 months ago
The U.K. music of the sixties was far far better.
Hugh Bryant
2 months ago
There is nothing in Britpop as brilliant or innovative as the subtle modulation in the bridge of I’m Only in Sleeping – and that’s just a minor contribution to the Beatles canon.
Beat combos are not high art, and it’s truly fatuous to suggest that they are or should even try to be. Moreover, as beat combos go, The Stones, The Doors and The Kinks among others, were more exciting, more fun, and more inventive. The four mop heads in their matching suits were a santised version of something better represented elsewhere, and the later hippy/revolutionary phase was really only following where others had already gone.
Last edited 2 months ago by Martin Smith
Ryan Midgley
2 months ago
No mention of “The Stone Roses” or “The La’s”? Boo Radleys “Giant Steps”? “Modern Life Is Rubbish”?
But why mention them, when none of these things (with the probably exception of Modern Life is Rubbish) were Britpop? It is after all the subject of the article.
polidori redux
2 months ago
Britpop struck me as failed attempt to make something that was very, very boring seem a little bit exciting.
Britpop was great. A belly full of Stella and a nose full of Columbias finest, and a collection of anthems that were cynical of Britain yet hopeful at the same time. I genuinely think it was the last time there was optimism
No I hated Britpop in the end I only loved The Verve & Oasis & Suede & I thought Elastica was rubbish middle class giddy that had nothing in common with me. Britpop basically became The Spice Girls Steps and all that nonsense & the Full Monty & James Blunt.I feel Trip Hop was total different same with Drum & Bass I feel it never got respected.I was more Into Grunge & Hip Hop & House & what The Prodigy The Chemical Brothers & Trip Hop I don’t want hear anymore Coldplay clones or Cool Britannia again.
That was a good read. The idea that the scene was ‘against rave, hip hop’ is ridiculous. Above all else, it was a live music movement.
Indeed, it’s revisionism. Most younger people (and even some older ones!) were too busy getting onto the dancefloor to lose themselves to the latest house tunes whilst the Britpop bands strutted about the stage at festivals. Both genres co-existed and were enjoyed, though Britpop died with the cynicism of Blair whilst dance music went global.
Britpop was the musical equivalent of New Labour – completely overrated by the media and managed to take so many people in.
I agree. As a relatively unbiased Irishman who quite liked some of Pulp and Suede’s stuff, in my view, British mainstream pop n rock during the 1960s, and British indie rock n pop during the period 1976 – 1986, both walked all over anything 90s Britpop ever amounted to.
The U.K. music of the sixties was far far better.
There is nothing in Britpop as brilliant or innovative as the subtle modulation in the bridge of I’m Only in Sleeping – and that’s just a minor contribution to the Beatles canon.
Beatles? Also over-rated.
Over-rated? You mean like Bach and Mozart? What a fatuous thing to say.
Beat combos are not high art, and it’s truly fatuous to suggest that they are or should even try to be. Moreover, as beat combos go, The Stones, The Doors and The Kinks among others, were more exciting, more fun, and more inventive. The four mop heads in their matching suits were a santised version of something better represented elsewhere, and the later hippy/revolutionary phase was really only following where others had already gone.
No mention of “The Stone Roses” or “The La’s”? Boo Radleys “Giant Steps”? “Modern Life Is Rubbish”?
But why mention them, when none of these things (with the probably exception of Modern Life is Rubbish) were Britpop? It is after all the subject of the article.
Britpop struck me as failed attempt to make something that was very, very boring seem a little bit exciting.
Britpop was great. A belly full of Stella and a nose full of Columbias finest, and a collection of anthems that were cynical of Britain yet hopeful at the same time. I genuinely think it was the last time there was optimism
Actually it was all rather embarrassing don’t you think?
Only for the Jacob Rees-Mogg types who missed the point of the whole thing
I do.
No I hated Britpop in the end I only loved The Verve & Oasis & Suede & I thought Elastica was rubbish middle class giddy that had nothing in common with me. Britpop basically became The Spice Girls Steps and all that nonsense & the Full Monty & James Blunt.I feel Trip Hop was total different same with Drum & Bass I feel it never got respected.I was more Into Grunge & Hip Hop & House & what The Prodigy The Chemical Brothers & Trip Hop I don’t want hear anymore Coldplay clones or Cool Britannia again.