Playlist 2: Alternative/Indie Music in Great Britain

Playlist Two: After doing some research into the alternative/indie scene “across the pond” in Great Britain, I formed this playlist based on what I found to be contemporary examples of this particular genre of music (combined with some I purely enjoyed). These songs specifically derive from the nations of Scotland, England, and Ireland. Indie/alternative music in Britain spiked in popularity after the ‘80s, and was inspired by punk. It was originally called ‘C86’ due to the “New Musical Express” magazine in Britain. The following music is representative of its evolution over time.

1. “There Goes the Fear.” The Doves, There Goes the Fear – Single. EMI Music Distribution, 550779, 2002. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHXt8yPll2s (4/4/10).

The Doves were founded in 1998 in Manchester, England, and have a sound similar to that of Radiohead or The Verve. Their song “There Goes the Fear” was part of the “(500) Days of Summer” soundtrack. The breathy vocals, keyboard, and percussion in this song gives it a dreamy, ethereal quality, and puts the listener in a mellow, content mood. The lyrics describe not letting life pass you by and appreciating what it gives you/embracing change, but how you sometimes can’t help that life goes by in a flash.

2. “Brianstorm.” Arctic Monkeys, Favourite Worst Nightmare. Domino, 136, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30w8DyEJ__0 (4/4/10).

The Arctic Monkeys began their rise to fame in 2005 and have a sound similar to that of the Strokes and the Clash. “Brianstorm”, from the album “Favourite Worst Nightmare”, is an extremely catchy song with a melody provided by the powerful hammering of an electric guitar and the steady, harsh beats of the drum which provides an aggressive, volatile sonic element. The meaning of the song is simple – it’s about a man named Brian who is good at getting girls. 

3. “She’s Electric.” Oasis, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. Epic, 67351, 1995. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dUV4VAr9lk (4/4/10).

Oasis was formed in 1993 in Manchester, England, and became truly famous in 1994. They are one of Britain’s “most popular and critically acclaimed bands of the decade” according to allmusic.com. “She’s Electric”, from their 1995 album “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory, lyrically tells the story of a girl who is “electric” – most likely meaning she has something radiant about her – and about how the narrator “wants to be electric too” – most likely wants to get to know her or be with her. The electric/acoustic guitar and percussion offer a sort of easygoing, folky feel

4. “Chelsea Dagger.” The Fratellis, Costello Music. Sony Music Distribution, 5090272, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=935CFnTt-iA (4/4/10).

The Fratellis originated in Glasgow, Scotland, premiered with their first show in 2005, and released their first EP in 2006. “Chelsea Dagger” from their album “Costello Music” tells the story of a prostitute (hence the use of the term “dagger” – a “dag” means a person of low/loose morals) from the Chelsea area of England. Based on the sonic element of this song, “Chelsea Dagger” sounds “rambunctious”, the ‘swagger’ of the electric guitar and the a capella vocals in the background sounds like something you would hear played in a bar in Great Britain.

5. “Mercury.” Bloc Party, Intimacy. Atlantic, 512336, October 28^th, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvbJU1rj390 (4/4/10).

Bloc Party, a band formed in London, England, derives their influence from Sonic Youth, Joy Division, Gang of Four, and the Cure (allmusic.com). “Mercury”, a song from their 2008 album “Intimacy”, has an eclectic techno musical backdrop and a vocalist with an erratic voice that adds a certain air of franticness and anxiety to the song as a whole. “Mercury in retrogade” alludes to Mars rotating backwards, meaning everything could be going awry.

6. “Asleep on a Sunbeam.” Belle and Sebastian, Dear Catastrophe Waitress. Rough Trade Records, 080, October 7, 2003. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B6UstLp6D4 (4/4/10).

Belle and Sebastian were founded in Glasgow, Scotland in 1995. “Asleep on a Sunbeam” from their album “Dear Catastrophe Waitress” is a simple, straight to the point song about a couple who decides to go on a camping trip. The sonic element of this song can be described as nothing other than calm and peaceful. The guitar and occasional interjection of the trumpet is similar to something one would hear on an advertisement for camping goods. Upon listening to this, the listener would most likely feel the urge to go on a camping trip themselves.

7. “Small World.” Roddy Frame, Surf. Cooking Vinyl Records, 117, October 8, 2002. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy3VtM7wKFM (4/4/10).

Roddy Frame, a native of East Kilbride, Scotland, began his career in 1980. His song “Small World” from his 2002 album, Surf, is merely Frame’s smooth, soothing vocals accompanied by the playing of his acoustic guitar. It feels like a very peaceful, reflective song. The lyrics, however, deal with space and intergalactic lasers, and having time turned back so the narrator’s girl can return to him. The lyrical and sonic elements sharply conflict with one another.

8. “Keep it Clean.” Camera Obscura, Underachievers Please Try Harder. Merge, 239, September, 2003. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiLh9rkvjac (4/4/10).

Camera Obscura formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1996. “Keep it Clean” from their 2003 album “Underachievers Please Try Harder” tells the story of a girl who’s ex-boyfriend wants her back, but she is in a new relationship and wants no part of the entire situation. The soft acoustic guitar, mellow drum beat, and soft, crooning vocals provide a very mellow, summery mood for the song.

9. “Make Your Move.” The Delgados, The Great Eastern. Beggars Banquet, 81021, May 9, 2000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF5AVKEo3N4 (4/4/10).

The Delgados formed in Scotland in 1994, and are still famous in their own right despite not having achieved the fame of fellow Scottish band Belle and Sebastian. Their song “Make Your Move” from their 2000 album “The Great Eastern” has an instrumental melody provided by a piano and some sort of woodwind instrument (most likely a flute). The sonic component makes the song seem soul-searching and introspective, placid and melancholy. The lyrics are pleading and compelling someone to make a move towards the narrator, “so go with me. Inside. Believe. You have so much to give.”

10. “Soon it Will be Fire.” Richard Youngs, Sapphie. Jagjaguwar, 19, 1999, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDR4-VJxMx4 (4/4/10).

Richard Youngs began releasing albums in the early ‘90s in Glasgow, Scotland. His song “Soon it Will be Fire” from his 1999 album Sapphie is fueled by the slow, high pitched plucking of the acoustic guitar and Youngs’s brass, high pitched voice providing a spacey sort of mood to the song. The lyrics are rather spread out through the song; it appears that each line of the song is merely one word drawn out at a time. The lyrics paired with the sonic element actually help the listener envision fire.

11. “Duel.” Swervedriver, Mezcal Head. A&M, 540129, October 5, 1993, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9xCibsXdqI (4/4/10)

Swervedriver was formed in 1990 in London, England. The stretched out, resonant vocals and the powerful, driving electric guitar and drumming styles in “Duel” by Swervedriver evoke a heavy, rock and roll sort of mood. Although the lyrics and title of the song could be taken to depict some sort of internal struggle, it has been claimed by the band that the song was heavily influenced by the movie of the same name by Steven Spielberg (allmusic.com).

12. “Bittersweet Symphony.” The Verve, This is Music: The Singles ’92-’98. Virgin, 63688, 2004. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9u9mZz-o-g (4/4/10)

The Verve, who formed in 1989 in Wigan, England, have been considered “one of the most innovative and spellbinding bands on the contemporary British pop scene” (allmusic.com). The violins and driving percussion beat of “Bittersweet Symphony” evokes a serene yet powerful mood. The lyrics speak of merely just going through life and its different phases, handling each day differently, and dealing with the many facets of one’s personality.

13. “Still Point.” Flying Saucer Attack, Further. Drag City, 69, 1995, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE9SmUdCbeM (4/4/10).

Flying Saucer Attack was formed in Bristol, England in 1993. “Still Point” is an extremely distracting song to write about. Even though you can hear the acoustic guitar and the high pitched voice of a woman in the background, the entire song is overpowered by what sounds like an alien landing. You can barely even hear the lyrics of the song. Personally, I chose this song as an example of an extremely unique brand of indie that derives from Great Britain.

14. “The Midnight Choir.” The Thrills, Teenager. EMI Music Distribution, 3037, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tyk6O_9hRM (4/4/10).

The Thrills formed in 2001 in Dublin, Ireland, and made their international debut in 2003. The high pitched vocals, acoustic, soft snare drum, and mandolin provide a sort of Irish twang within the song, and set a lively, exuberant mood for the song. The song discusses the prospect of losing what you know, and how terrible it would be. “And the midnight choir they sing, they sing a hymn we used to believe in, but it’s all we’ve got.”

15. “Waves.” The Devlins, Waves. Nettwerk, 30399, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf48t4ZCR-o (4/4/10).

The Devlins formed in the 1990s in Dublin, Ireland and their debut album, “Drift”, came out in 1993. Their song “Waves” by the Devlins includes soft acoustic, vocals, drumming as well as contribution from a woodwind section, which gives the song an earthy, intimate feel. The lyrics of the song provide hope that the narrator’s “luck will change” as a result of being so happy and infatuated with a girl.