| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Cheeseman1000 |
Posted - 06/18/2004 : 16:09:37
There's a Jools Holland special on now, only British acts, which got me thinking. How come the UK is such a creative goldmine? Whatever you may think of the mainstream, and whatever differing opinions you may have about the music, its impossible to deny that some of the biggest and greatest bands ever have come out of the UK.
I wonder: how is this? Britain is slightly larger than an American state, yet its been at the forefront of pop for, well, forever. For example:
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
The Kinks
The Who
Pink Floyd
Led Zeppelin
Black Sabbath
Sex Pistols
The Clash
I could go on and on. My point is proved I think, there is so much talent and creativity in the UK, and it is, beside America, the driving force in music today. Obviously America has produced a vast number of major artists, but I still think the Brits are alright.
Any explanations as to why this is? Or general comments at all? Did everybody else get Britpop or was it just an insular UK thing? What do you reckon to new music in this country?
 "Ee-hee! Shamone!" |
| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Homers_pet_monkey |
Posted - 06/25/2004 : 10:27:00
quote:
Originally posted by The Calistanian
Do Blur and Oasis still make albums?
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb.
Yes they do. Blur's last album was actually pretty good. Oasis' was average at best.
The best English band in quite a while are The Libertines IMO. If their lead singer can get off smack soon (although just to stay alive at the moment would be nice), then they will go on to be a truly great band.
You will all be talking about Nine Black Alps soon. They will do well in America I reckon.
Listen to Nine Black Alps. |
| Homers_pet_monkey |
Posted - 06/25/2004 : 10:22:27
quote:
Originally posted by ivandivel
But, I can't believe that Happy Mondays' Pills Thrills and Bellyaches hasn't been mentioned. All time top 10 record. Bob's yer uncle, yeh.
Oh god no! I may well be from Manchester but I hate that band. They are absolutely awful! And that Black Grape that they spawned. Hideous scally music.
Also, I think there are plenty of very good American bands around at the moment. More than in the UK, although we are fighting back now.
Listen to Nine Black Alps. |
| VoVat |
Posted - 06/24/2004 : 17:50:09
quote:
I also have theorized that the further north you go, the funnier people are.
Yeah, I love the comedy scene in Greenland!
To answer The Calistanian's question, Blur put out a new album last year. My girlfriend has it, but I haven't listened to it (or to 13, for that matter). I think Modern Life Is Rubbish, Parklife, and The Great Escape are all great albums, but I wasn't quite as thrilled by their self-titled album, and I get the idea that their most recent albums are more along the lines of the self-titled record.
No idea about Oasis. I always found them pretty boring.
Cattle in Korea / They can really moo. |
| The Calistanian |
Posted - 06/24/2004 : 09:32:11
Do Blur and Oasis still make albums?
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
| Jason |
Posted - 06/24/2004 : 08:38:56
The biggest following in the US for Britpop in the mid-90s was the indie rock/college student audience. I was certainly among them and I almost consider it an embarrassment now because so little of it interests me anymore.
I sold every last trace of Blur, Cast, Oasis, Suede, and lots of other one-word bands whose CDs I owned.
Not all Britpop was junked. I kept records by Supergrass, Kenickie, Tiger, Divine Comedy, and Sleeper that I still enjoy. One Oasis single nearly survived the purge because of their best song "Stay Young" on the b-side, but didn't. However, I did keep Ash's "Goldfinger" 7". I like the song mostly because it reminds me of 1996 and what I was doing then like few other songs do.
The last British band I've liked a lot is David Devant & His Spirit Wife, who I just discovered last year. They RULE. |
| frank_black_francis |
Posted - 06/24/2004 : 06:34:39
quote:
Originally posted by Cheeseman1000
There's plenty of really cool old blues guys etc, but the Rolling Stones at their peak blew most of them away.
"Ee-hee! Shamone!"
Yeah but the Stones did work within the medium that was pioneered by those old bluesmen....I think it is one of the reasons why artists are obsessed with authorship, when you invent something, you deserve due recognition....weird comparison, but I'll go ahead with it....its like arguing that the guy who invented fibre-optics blows Thomas Edison away.
Bam Thwok, I crapped myself! |
| ivandivel |
Posted - 06/24/2004 : 06:13:29
There were lots of great english bands, no doubt. But, brits have a tendency to hype worthless shit to the incredible, like the punk scene or britpop stuff. Blame NME and the nation that reads it. Since the 70's, american rock has been superior - untill now when it really, really sucks.
But, I can't believe that Happy Mondays' Pills Thrills and Bellyaches hasn't been mentioned. All time top 10 record. Bob's yer uncle, yeh. |
| fudd |
Posted - 06/24/2004 : 05:17:47
quote:
Originally posted by klikger
I don't think that anyone who has listened to Revolver or the White Album in whole can dislike The Beatles. Any of their stuff, really.
I vehemently dislike Love Me Do, This Boy, My Bonnie Lives Over The Ocean, and a whole bunch of other songs from that period.
|
| Jason |
Posted - 06/24/2004 : 03:56:14
quote:
Originally posted by GypsyDeath
I always wondered if brit pop was big anywhere else.
Japan.
It's a little surprising that some here get sensitive over The Beatles being considered a proto-boy band. But to me, if you look at the early years and how a homosexual manager made them over from a rough working class bar band into a group of four cuddly, smiling guys in matching suits the modern boy band parallels become obvious. Brian Epstein wrote the book that continues to be followed today. N'Sync wouldn't exist without him.
And I don't see anything wrong with that. No one's calling you a Boy Band fan if you like The Beatles.
... you Boy Band lovers. |
| klikger |
Posted - 06/24/2004 : 03:18:17
I don't think that anyone who has listened to Revolver or the White Album in whole can dislike The Beatles. Any of their stuff, really. |
| Cheeseman1000 |
Posted - 06/23/2004 : 14:56:07
Its been pointed out, fbf. Influenced is one thing, inferior is another thing altogether. There's plenty of really cool old blues guys etc, but the Rolling Stones at their peak blew most of them away. It may be difficult admit, but thats my opinion (like yours).
Plus, half the point of my thread was that the bands were huge as compared to the size of the country.
And, (I'm on a roll now) I reckon British bands are often a lot more creative than there American counterparts. Not always, obviously, but there's some really ace stuff out there.
Haha, don't mind me, I'm rambling now.
"Ee-hee! Shamone!" |
| frank_black_francis |
Posted - 06/23/2004 : 14:36:47
I hate to point out the fact that all these bands were influenced by (and quite inferior to) the American roots music they surpassed only in record sales. |
| fudd |
Posted - 06/23/2004 : 14:27:10
Gotta mention this here as well as in the celebrities thread: what about Danielle Dax? |
| n/a |
Posted - 06/23/2004 : 13:48:18
okey dokey, tre takes it back!
|
| Homers_pet_monkey |
Posted - 06/23/2004 : 13:42:15
Sorry I wasn't being rude. Or I didn't mean to be.
Listen to Nine Black Alps. |
| n/a |
Posted - 06/23/2004 : 12:35:21
I hate the stone roses, I merely disliked the tunes until the overkill... and obvious maybe but thats no ned to be rude. so there
|
| Homers_pet_monkey |
Posted - 06/23/2004 : 11:46:36
quote:
Originally posted by Tre
the beatles *YAWN* I am not a big fan. Just because it was years ago doesn't make them any less of a bloody boy band.
And whilst British music is amazing at times it can be unbelievably shite at times also! remember Gay Dad? Bis? (I own a single... jeez) The stone roses? heh heh heh
can't get into anything these days. Always on the peripheral. Always terrified, exhausted, annoyed, pissed, anxious, out of it-out of the loop, out of my mind, out of time.
Every country produces shit bands. What an obvious statement.
Gay Dad I will give you, but The Stone Roses? Your having a laugh aren't you? I never listen to them anymore 'cos they get played to death in indie clubs, I played them a lot when I was younger and 'cos my taste has changed slightly, but I still recognise they wrote some fantastic songs. They did suck live though.
Listen to Nine Black Alps. |
| cvanepps |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 19:20:40
quote:
Originally posted by fudd
I have to push regarding Oingo Boingo. How many punk bands do you know with a full horn section and conservative politics in their lyrics?
p.s. I thought it was rather deft how I managed to switch the topic over to American rock!
"Private Life" is a favorite of mine, though. OB was pretty original.
Hey, did no one mention Elvis Costello for British rockers? Heretics!!!
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://www.cvanepps.com |
| cvanepps |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 19:17:47
quote:
Originally posted by BLT
I'm pretty sure Chrissy was living in London during the whole punk explosion. I've seen photos of her hanging out with Bryan James-era Damned and others. I think the rest of the band were all Brits.
Correct. In fact, John Lydon married her briefly so she could stay in London. He wrote about it in his book, Rotten.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://www.cvanepps.com |
| fudd |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 17:43:25
Rachel Weisz. And Red Dwarf. |
| floop |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 17:30:14
it's not rock music, but i would like to thank the British for Bass Ale.
cheers mates!  |
| rockmusic84 |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 17:25:15
Christ, I almost forgot THE ANIMALS!!! AWESOME British group. Eric Burdon is one of the most powerful, emotional and soulful vocalists around.
I noticed some of you mentioning how Hendrix was recognized in the U.K. before the U.S.. Here's the story behind that:
Jimi was playing in Little Richard's backing band at a club in New York, where Animals' bassist Chas Chandler saw him, and was very impressed. So impressed that he wanted to help Jimi get out on his own. He was the one that suggested the way he spelled his name (as opposed to Jimmy). After Chas left the original Animals' lineup, he sold all his basses, amps and equipment to buy Jimi better equipment. He then took Jimi to England, hooked him up with Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, and was instrumental in getting them a deal with Reprise records. Chas also produced The Experience's first 2 albums: "Are You Experienced?" and "Axis: Bold as Love".
Which leads me to this thought: Since Jimi got his start in England, and his backing band were English, I guess technically you could say they were a British rock group. Sort of. :)
Join The Cult of U-MASS - IT'S EDUCATIONAL!!! |
| The Calistanian |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 14:15:23
I'm just kidding around by the way.
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
| The Calistanian |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 14:10:48
Remember the last time we pissed the Brits off? They came over and snuffed out our Revolution. Er, wait....
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
| fudd |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 13:54:19
You're right, of course. |
| floop |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 13:51:37
quote:
Originally posted by fudd
Floop, I was kidding. Let's not piss them off again!
i was kidding too. but that doesn't mean we shouldn't piss them off. |
| fudd |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 13:47:45
Floop, I was kidding. Let's not piss them off again!
Hey, someone said Brits don't do jazz. Bill Bruford is doing really great stuff. I saw him around six months ago, great show. Be careful if you look for recorded material, though; some of it is on the light side. Happily the live show featured only the heavy duty stuff.
|
| n/a |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 13:04:47
yes i have heard the white album and i did earlier admit that the odd song i thought was ok and am quite happy to hum along to but in general they do not do it for me. this is not an attempt at sensationalism i just genuinely am not a fan! i get alot of looks of horrors when i admit this.
|
| floop |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 12:59:59
quote:
Originally posted by fudd
p.s. I thought it was rather deft how I managed to switch the topic over to American rock!
when all is said and done, i can't blame you fudd. i mean, America ROCKS!!! |
| BLT |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 12:54:09
quote:
Originally posted by darwin
Why did the Pretenders always feel like a UK band (to me)? Chrissy Hyne was/is from Ohio, I think, but was the rest of the band from the US? I did some googling and they pretty much formed in London
I'm pretty sure Chrissy was living in London during the whole punk explosion. I've seen photos of her hanging out with Bryan James-era Damned and others. I think the rest of the band were all Brits. |
| fudd |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 12:44:56
I have to push regarding Oingo Boingo. How many punk bands do you know with a full horn section and conservative politics in their lyrics?
p.s. I thought it was rather deft how I managed to switch the topic over to American rock! |
| darwin |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 12:37:11
Why did the Pretenders always feel like a UK band (to me)? Chrissy Hyne was/is from Ohio, I think, but was the rest of the band from the US? I did some googling and they pretty much formed in London
http://www.pretendersarchives.com/BandHistory.html
The B-52s to some extent put Athens GA on the map, which was part of the rise of "alternative" music in the US. |
| floop |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 12:37:10
i disagree regarding Devo. i think they deserve to be considered among the upper-eschalon of American band history. and even Violent Femmes (they inspired thousands of bands, including Frank).
but, this is the British Rock thread, so let's talk about BRITISH ROCK BABY!!!!!
i think i actually listen to more British rock than i do American. i'm not sure. i would say that of my (current) top 5 albums of all time, most of them are British. |
| cvanepps |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 12:30:28
quote:
Originally posted by fudd
When I chided cvanepps I meant only to point out the BIG difference between his post and Cheeseman's original, namely that Cheeseman used the word "some" along with "best." By no means do I think "America is better" or do I need to get over myself. Go back and read my first post about Robert Fripp/King Crimson. Sheesh. And yes, the B52s belong in the same list as those other bands. So does Devo, and Violent Femmes, and Oingo Boingo... Yes, I remember that Jimi got recognized in England before America. Yep, you guys got taste.
When you're right, Fudd, you're right. My sentiment was slightly different than Cheese's so appie-poly-logies.
However, I maintain that the B-52s are not amongst the best American bands. Nor are any of the other bands you mention above. I'd place Blondie, the Pretenders, and Cheap Trick on the "best American bands" list before any of yours. Hell, as long as we're talking fringe bands, let's not forget Kid Creole and the Coconuts.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://www.cvanepps.com |
| BLT |
Posted - 06/22/2004 : 11:52:28
quote:
Originally posted by Tre
Don't want to argue about this but I believe McFly write their own songs and as far as I am concerned they are a boy band... And Gary Barlow wrote songs also but does that make Take That any less of a boy band? I just don't like them, if the boy band sentiment has upset anyone I apologise but it is the opinion of tre and it will stay the opinion of tre.
I hate to be repetitive but:
2) Their (i.e. The Beatles) existence was not a result of corporate marketing (quite the opposite).
|
