Are you swayed by Suede? Do you think Elastica are fantastica? Have you got a passion for Pulp? Then “roll with it” and have a read of this A-Z guide to Britpop.
This book explores the musicians, venues, fashions, TV shows, record labels, magazines, events, etc associated with Britpop. The authors date the movement from 1992 (Blur’s single ‘Popscene’) to 1998 (Pulp’s album This Is Hardcore) with a peak of 1995-7. They look at the careers of these bands and what happened to them afterwards. The information is current up to 2017.
Artists in this book include: Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Suede, Elastica, Sleeper, The Lightning Seeds, The Bluetones, Manic Street Preachers, Kula Shaker, Paul Weller, Cast, Babybird, The Boo Radleys, Dodgy, Ocean Colour Scene, Shed Seven, Mansun, Ash, The Charlatans, Supergrass, Skunk Anansie, Garbage, Echobelly, The Verve…
I liked this book because the authors effectively pulled together lots of information, which can admittedly be found elsewhere, but provides a comprehensive overview. However, I didn’t think that individual entries for singles and albums were a good idea, because it resulted in much repetition. I would have liked more original insight in the A-Z entries, like the commentary in the introductory chapters.
I think this would be a useful starting point for readers to learn more about Britpop, particularly those who might have missed it or who want to explore the lesser-known bands which are included alongside the massive ones.
In summary, if you are a fan of this musical era, “make a cup of tea and put a record on” then check out this book.
First published in 2016. Second edition published by Valley Press, 2017.