Britpop (a word composed of “British” and “pop”) is a sub-genre of alternative rock that was developed in the UK in the early 1990s. Not only was it seen by all as a reaction to the neurotic American grunge movement (Nirvana, Pearl Jam…), it was also a reaction to the ethereal and noisy style of shoegaze (My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive…), both appreciated by the British public in the early 90s.
In this way, Britpop intended to return to a more traditional rock style, characterized by guitar melodies, catchy pop choruses and a sound tailored for radio stations, while becoming the heir to a wide range of earlier English music. Bands such as Oasis, Pulp, Blur, Supergrass, Suede and Manic Street Preachers were the reason for the huge success of Britpop in the 1990s. Nevertheless, the genre went into commercial and critical decline around 1997 due to the lukewarm reception of Oasis’ third album, Be Here Now, following two exemplary albums, and Blur’s decision to distance itself from the genre.
The British press then focused on Radiohead and The Verve, considered more ambitious than their peers but less representative of the typical Britpop sound. Yet, at the turn of the millennium, bands with glory such as Coldplay, Travis and Doves gave a second wind to Britpop while not forgetting to show an international face. In this article of Gazettely, we want to introduce some of the most popular Britpop albums of the 1990s.
Among the reasons, Suede hated the label of Britpop was Blur. More specifically, Damon Albarn. Justine Frischmann, a founding member of Suede and later vocalist of Elastica, left Brett Anderson for Albarn. No need to say more. Millions of Blur fans, however, were less prejudiced.
In 1997, Blur had long been one of England’s biggest bands. Britpop hype was their platform, and their standing manifested over four albums in the early and mid-1990s, not the least of which was their rivalry and publicly displayed vying for higher sales with Oasis. However, in contrast to their biggest rivals from Manchester, Blur was willing to venture on their self-titled album.
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Indeed, they turned away from their previous sound, one that had become their own trademark and that of the entire Britpop era. “Blur” was oriented toward American indie with lo-fi influences. Albarn and his fellow musicians squinted at dub (“Essex Dogs”) and took grunge for a ride with “Song 2.” Their bravery paid off, and “Blur” advanced to become the band’s most successful album. The step to leave the feel-good zone deserves respect.
Blur managed to achieve a breakthrough in the USA thanks to “Song 2”. Many of their British colleagues cut their teeth on it – Blur succeeded thanks to a misunderstood joke. As well as the success in America, the story of the song’s creation was more or less coincidental. With the album already finished, the band had a party in the studio. In the course of the festivities, they spontaneously played the song that made them famous even beyond the borders of Great Britain.
