Aug
09

Popscene: The Verve – A Storm In Heaven

Aaron Matthews no longer knows how to spell favourite favorite. The Verve have had one of the most illogical career arcs in music history, going from Northern Manchester boys crafting hazy psychedelic guitar rock to anthemic pop stars to multiple break-ups and hasty reformations. All within their first eight years. Not bad. But first, you… Continue reading »

Feb
10

Popscene: Suede – “Suede”

Aaron Matthews prefers Suede to White Denim.  Fusing the catchy leer and guitar heroics of 70s glam rock with the grim crooning of Scott Walker, and the melodic melodrama of the Smiths, Suede was the first Britpop band. They formed in London in 1989, comprising singer Brett Anderson, bassist Matt Osman and Anderson’s then-girlfriend Justine… Continue reading »

Dec
09

Popscene: Elastica – “Elastica”

 Aaron Matthews is a thief with taste.  Appropriation has always been a touchy subject in the world of pop music. The biggest bands to emerge from Britain in the last half-century largely built their careers on rewriting other people’s songs. Led Zeppelin, Oasis, and the Stones are all offenders, sure, but these acts all added… Continue reading »

Oct
05

Popscene: Supergrass-”In It For the Money”

Aaron Matthews blogs for the money and the super grass.  Supergrass formed during Britpop’s ’93 apex. Only in their early 20s, the Oxford-based trio of singer/guitarist Gaz Coombes, drummer Danny Goffey, and bassist Mick Quinn  saw instant success with their Backbeat Records-released first single, “Caught By The Fuzz,” earning raves from the NME and Melody… Continue reading »

Sep
04

Popscene: Blur-”Blur”

 Aaron Matthews uses “lifts” not “elevators.” Leading up to their 1997 self-titled triumph, pundits harped that Blur had won the battle of Britpop but lost the war to Oasis. After all, What’s the Story, Morning Glory was a critical and commercial success, going quadruple platinum in America when Blur could barely crack the Billboard 200. More… Continue reading »

Jul
29

Popscene: Pulp-”His ‘N’ Hers”

Aaron Matthews prefers this “lipgloss” to Lil Mama’s. Pulp’s career trajectory seems distinctly quaint in the blog-bombarded, Hype Machined era. While modern times mean a disappointing sophomore effort is enough to make people forget you faster than you can say Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, Pulp lingered in near total obscurity for 12 years before… Continue reading »

Jun
26

Popscene: The Auteurs-”New Wave”

When he’s not contributing to Metal Lungies, Hip-Hop is Read, or lecturing oblivious Ottowans on the meaning of Parklife, Aaron Matthews can be found at Canned Thinking.   Yeah yeah, the Auteurs never completely fit into the Britpop-as-cultural movement narrative, but by mining 60s and 70s English rock, their debut New Wave divined the future of… Continue reading »

May
06

Popscene: Super Furry Animals-Fuzzy Logic

Written by Aaron Matthews, Popscene is an attempt to re-examine records from the glory years of Britpop, specfically, ones that haven’t been analyzed to death by the North American press. If you’re looking for “Definitely Maybe,” the answer is “no.” Super Furry Animals are either the best or worst starting point for discussing Britpop. Halilng… Continue reading »