Suede
Suede
1993
Album Summary
Suede is the debut album by English alternative rock band Suede, released in March 1993 on Nude Records. It was recorded in London at Master Rock studios late 1992 and early 1993 and was produced by Ed Buller. At the time the fastest-selling debut album in British history in almost a decade, Suede debuted at the top of the UK Albums Chart, won the 1993 Mercury Music Prize, and is often cited as one of the first Britpop records. Displaying a sound of Britishness and glam rock, its music and lyrical content has been compared to The Smiths and early David Bowie.The album was preceded by what Rolling Stone called "its triptych of instantly classic singles." The three singles, "The Drowners", "Metal Mickey" and "Animal Nitrate" helped to create a media buzz leading to significant hype for a year leading up to the album's release. It was met with generally favourable reviews both in the UK and in the US. Although it remains the group's biggest-selling album in the US, it struggled to make headway commercially compared to the success in the UK. In 2013, NME placed the album at number 78 in its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
WikipediaUtterly pointless waste of time. Milquetoast britpop. Apparently, people compare Suede to early Bowie. Those comparisions are bold at best and insulting at worst. The only reason this doesn't get one star is because there's nothing TECHNICALLY wrong with it. The musicianship and production values are fine. It's just so damn bland. It's cream of wheat to Bowie's strawberry tart.
It's got 90s style, but reminiscent of Smiths, Cure, New Wave stuff, and some Bowie. So Young - good teen-emo jam. Animal Nitrate - Interesting title. This one reminds me of something. I can't place it. The riff is kind of like Oasis. She's Not Dead - slower ballad. Good song - apparently about joint suicide of his aunt? Moving - Reminds me of Empire Records. Rock song. Called moving and it moves. Pantomime horse - Weird title, like one of those costumes two people wear of a horse? The Drowners - This is another great song. Awesome guitar work. I'm told this one's about a man trying seduce another man. Could be. Hopefully not incest. That word Brother is dubious. Sleeping Pills - beautiful song, very sad sound. Breakdown - Another slow one with a good build. Instrumental solo is solid. Sounds like Bowie, and also about loss. Metal Mickey - Strip club? She sells heart, meat, money shaking in time. Animal Lover - Story is apparently about singer's girlfriend, returning with scratches from being with another dude from the band? Guitar at the end sounds like Matthew Sweet. The Next Life - Damn - what a downer of a sad song to end it on. Another Bowie sound.
every song in this album is iconic. the album cover : mwah. and it just all feels so GOOD. the guitar was fucking awesome too. loved it đ©
An arse-slapping, Smiths-succeeding, coke-huffing ball-tearer of a debut. Still stands up.
This was my favorite front to back listening experience of this whole club so far. This album explodes from its very track and pulls you in with earnest, impassioned vocals, glistening, piercing guitars, and driving grooves. The opening track alone had me hooked. Listening to this album felt like the first time I listened to This Is It by the Strokes-- I kept thinking "there's no way the next song will be as good as this one", and I kept getting proved wrong. This album has moments of solemn sadness and moments of anthemic triumph. It's remarkably sonically consistent without being samey. The lyrics are not the focus of the music, but are interesting and sometimes arresting. The guitar work is fantastic, up there with some of my favorite rock albums (examples such as This Is It, The Color and the Shape, Ten). My favorite tracks include "Animal Nitrate", "The Drowners", "The Next Life", and "Where the Pigs Don't Fly." I couldn't believe I had never heard of this album before today. I honestly loved it and I'll revisit it often. 9/10 listening experience for me
Wonderful album with great instrumentation. There an anthemic quality to this album that characterizes a lot of Britpop, but thereâs a lot of art rock influence here also. I definitely hear the influences of Bowie and the Smiths.
Sexy, sleazy, gritty, glitz and glamour. All the good stuff. Like shagging behind the bins while clothed in your most extravagant finery and covered in glitter.
An album that had a nostalgic vibe despite me not knowing many of the songs.
This album has a strong sense of melodrama. I'm not sure what Brett Anderson is so exercised about, but I get the impression he could benefit from taking a step back and gaining some perspective. I like it, although don't love it. A more reined in, less emotionally OTT album could be brilliant. 3/5.
I was super excited to listen to this album since I have heard so much about it and how important it was in Britpop formation. Overall was pretty disappointed...super generic and nothing all that special about it. 2.5/5
Very surprised by this one. Every song maintained and interesting level the started high and ended high. Great album
No weak or filler songs here. Really well structured and produced. Incorporates elements of psychedelia, glam, and rock but is still fresh and timeless.
2/5. This falls under a category of music thatâs almost worse that bad for me - music that is neither good nor bad, has the potential to be fantastic to me, but is just missing a few intangible things.
I think I've realized why I tend to dislike Britpop: so many of the bands seem to just want to suck The Smith's dicks. Well, jokes on them; Morrissey sucks his own dick harder than they ever could.
Un gran disco, sin skips. De su tracklist original me parece muy uniforme: tiene el suficiente nivel de rock que me gusta, junto con vocales muy exageradas a veces, pero agradables. La canción de salida, "The Next Life", cumple muy bien porque es justo como una despedida del ålbum, mientras que la entrada irrumpe ya para poner el tono de lo que viene. Hay vibras bowiescas, yo digo y creo mi fav es "Pantomime Horse", y seguiditas quizå van "Animal Nitrate" y "Breakdown", pero, como mencioné, para mà no hay skips. 9.5/10
Muy padre e inesperado en el sentido de que no me esperaba que el britpop sonaba asĂ de darketĂłn pues mi Ășnica referencia que he escuchado mucho ha sido Blur y un poquito de Oasis. Canciones favoritas: He's dead, Animal Nitrate y Painted People porque tiene mucha energĂa caĂłtica. Mood: You only like me when you think I'm looking sad.
Gud sÄ bra detta Àr!!!! det Àr till och med bÀttre Àn coming up som jag annars haft som favorit. konstigt att jag ej lyssnat pÄ detta innan?
The artifact of what could have been had Britpop not evolved (or degenerated) into Union Jack waving, lager swilling, anthemic anthems for the sake of anthemic anthems. Suede (or The London Suede đ€ź) quite possibly made the thorniest, horninest, debauched, depraved album of 1993. Various songs on this album sounds as if it could have originated yesterday and the roughed up glam nature should still be seen as a blueprint for how to make a statement.
Pleasantly surprised yet again! I'm really digging this. I love The Smiths and I can hear that influence on Suede's (The London Suedeâs?) sound. They're obviously way less maudlin and melodramatic than Morrissey could ever be, but they still give me that beautiful combination of melodic songs and achy alt rock lyricism. The yearning desperation of a 20-something misfit in the 90's is palpable. I like it, and will definitely listen again, and again! And thank you Suede for the boldly homoerotic album cover, nothing subversive about this. "Have you ever tried it that way?" No, but I'm going to now!
Ah, the dawning of the Britpop era, what a time to be alive. This is one of the best albums of the period. They were fucking awesome live as well.
This album warmed up on me as it progressed. The Smiths really did a number on the UK, didn't they? I feel like every single band post-1983 tried so hard to emulate them, and Suede is no exception. But, hey, there are worse bands to ape. I really enjoyed the swirling guitars and the flighty vocals.
Excellent debut, great singles (Animal Nitrate, Metal Mickey etcâŠ) and the 25th anniversary edition features b-sides that are some of Suedeâs best work and somehow didnât make the album. Definitely not Brit Pop, this is art rock of high quality. A great band.
I have loved this record since I girl I had an instacrush on in college mentioned that I should listen to it. The record wears its influences on its sleeve - Bowie, The Cure, Joy Division are all in here. I'm glad this was on the list, as I hadn't revisited it in quite some time. 4*
I had an extended Suede streaming session earlier in the year. As with many bands of that era, I'd lost touch with them but discovered their last album, 'The Blue Hour', which is excellent (and highly recommended if you haven't heard it.) I had all the initial EPs that came out before the album so at the time it felt like I'd already heard a large chunk of the album. I think I like this album even more than I did back when it first came out. The album of theirs I listen to most often is Sci-Fi Lullabies, which has always shown they left many of their best songs off this album. Seen the band a bunch of times over the years, including their first tour (still have The Drowners t shirt, it's not as white as it used to be) and a fan club show at the Electric Ballroom, that I can't remember how we got into. They played all of the just released/about to be released 'A New Morning' and then did a random greatest hits set where they got people out from the audience to spin a big wheel with the song names on it. Great show, good times. Can't believe this is going to be 30 years old next year. Was Bernard Butler the last British guitar hero?
Suede is one of the leading Britpop bands that sprinkled alt-rock twists while drawing inspirations from the likes of David Bowie in their self-titled album. This is apparent in its airy Bowie-style vocals, with ballad-like acoustic guitars and simple reverb-heavy drum arrangements to boot. With that, 'Suede' is still quite influential, controlled, and musically understands the intended direction.
The album created a spasmodic expectation, is a learned encyclopedia of melodramatic tricks, often touching progressive rock arrangements, with a lot of Genesis and Moody Blues between the lines. Moreover, the songs boast lyrics saturated with references to the singer's bisexuality, heroin, sodomy, suicide, according to a plot that sets the music in a bestial world that contrasts (or complements wonderfully) the graceful and innocent face of the singer. (7/10) FT: So Young, Animal Nitrate
Big, anthemic, aims for the cheap seats and successfully nails them. I've never been a big "britpop" guy but Suede is convincing me otherwise (between this and the other album I've gotten from them on here, "Dog Man Star"). The Bowie inspiration is obvious, and I can definitely see The Smiths in this as well. Don't think the production is that great. Favorite tracks: "The Next Life", "So Young", "The Drowners"
My pointless Suede fact is the bassistâs younger brother is Richard Osman from the U.K. game show PointlessâŠ. Suede is one of the Brit Pop bands Iv only ever heard of a couple of songs from. Really enjoyed this album can see the Smiths influence on them, Animal Nitrate is the stand out song. A great debut and makes me want to check out their other albums.
Quite a debut. It just about still stacks up with all the hype it received at the time. Suede aren't shy about where they lifted their ideas from. At least they have a decent taste in music with Bowie and a brief stomp through the glam back catalogue. It's a shame what followed with the Britpop bollocks. Suede never fitted into this scene. They were far too clever, far too questioning of everything. This led to their sound being drowned out when arguably they had reached their peak. This debut was a hard act to follow. Very strong. I've had my moments in the past listening to Animal Nitrate...
I quite liked his voice, and seem to be in a majority. Like a lot of 90s britpop/rock, I found it ok, though I judge it on whether I find it decent now.
Solid Brit pop album, with a Smiths-y sound, overall a pleasant listen. Brett Andersonâs idiosyncratic vocals are a bit of an acquired taste, but I enjoyed them. He has a really varied range that can be quite elegant but also glammy and playful. I can see the comparisons some want to make to Bowie, but Iâm getting more of a Russell Mael meets Pete Shelley vibe. I love how he hits the high range, but itâs also a lot, like eating a box of truffles in one sitting. Some may not want to sit through 45 minutes of it. Fave Songs: The Drowners, So Young, Sleeping Pills, Animal Nitrate, Metal Mickey
Can't really write a decent review about this one. During the early nineties, I was into American indie/grunge acts, but I was also interested in former eras, such as the punk movement and sixties pop. And I could also enjoy some britpop acts. But not *this one*. The first time I listened to Suede, I found their mannerisms pompous, and I did so not only for *Dog Man Star*, but starting from this band's debut album, actually (when the second one was panned, it was as if everyone was stating what was obvious to me from the get-go). Of course, at the time, I didn't know a lot about Bowie and The Smiths, who were *huge* influences on Suede. Since those days, I have learnt to appreciate those very influences (especially Bowie). But the irony is that, because of what I know now, it's *all the more difficult for me* to enjoy Suede these days. When I listen to them *now*, I just can't help thinking they're still a somewhat bland variation of earlier, far more impressive acts. With very awkward and dated production values, to boot (some of the effects on the vocals and guitars are just plain horrible). And I'm *still* a little annoyed by the overall mannerisms, mostly because I find a lot of them stale, shallow and irritating (Anderson's overkill *outré* voice is grating to the extreme sometimes, even on one of the few decently written songs from the album, such as Animal Nitrate for instance). Suede are just not as fresh and exciting as the models they are desperately imitating. And because of all this, I can't manage to find any *substance* in the songs of this record, as hard as I've tried. Oh, I know that Bowie himself once praised them. But it won't even make me change my mind. When Bowie praised Suede, he wasn't exactly in the best creative spot of his career anyway. Maybe it was just a way for him to send all those winks Suede had made to him back to them. At the time I didn't care. Now, I do, somehow. But even Bowie could make blunders (he actually made a lot of them in the later parts of his career). And this brings me back to the original influences informing this album. Sorry, but I'm always gonna prefer the originals... How ironic. It seems that Suede were never there in the right time for me. I know they've been critically reevaluated, and they probably at least deserve some of the *current* praise for going against the grain during their heyday. But it's still impossible for me to genuinely appreciate their music. Sometimes, it's as simple as that. [Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 985 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 5 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 6 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (as I think many others are more important): 4 Albums on which I feel my judgment is muddled by my past forays into specific genres instead of others: 1 (including this one) Technically, I shouldn't even be grading those records. But *some* might end up on my final list for their somewhat *objective* cultural importance, who knows?]
I detect hints of Glam-rock with Brit-pop top notes. It has a nice shoegaze finish but unfortunately the lead vocalistâs singing style leaves a bitter aftertaste. This hasnât aged very well and should be returned to the cellar.
I reviewed my notes from the last album of theirs. I mentioned a Bowie influence, which I hear less of now, but I'm getting more Morrisey. This LP doesn't seem to have a standout track like 'We are the Pigs", but there are a number of rockers throughout. Again, there are too many ballads, schmaltzy ballads. 5/10 for me.
I thought this was alright, some songs were quite catchy - others a bit more irritating. I didn't know about Suede, but Luke informs me they were a headline Britpop bad alongside Blur and Oasis. He does not approve of Suede and told me I should give it 1 or 2 starts for the whiney voice and boring songs. I dunno, I didn't hate it that much and I shalln't be swayed
interesting cover art lol. initial reaction: okay, sounds good. enter his voice: ?? okay, could work still. doesnt seem very 90s to me though. 'she's not dead' is not available on spotify. not awful, even liked some parts, but ultimately not my thing. lyrics were bland at times but at times i was like ??? is he singing from a female perspective or. idk. i did save 'moving'.
Iâm not a big fan of the lead singers voice. I get annoyed every time he says âohh-vahâ on The Drowners. His voice is not Axl Rose level offensive, but itâs noticeable enough to cost Suede a star. The potential of the songs is consistently let down by his voice. Some of the musical parts are quite enjoyable. I like the piano part on The Next Life. The guitar part on Metal Mickey is top notch. The drum and guitar parts for Moving are greatâŠand then he starts singing, ughh. Sleeping Pills and Breakdown really bog the album down. I thought Just A Day (Early Demo) was by far the best song on the album and itâs a throw away bonus track. What a shame.
Ears hurt and Hershey squirts. Britpop ruined my Saturday. I'm going to throw this back in a closet and hope it doesn't come out again. I know there's more Britpop-y bands on this list and eventually, I'll lose. Some day, I'll have to unpack all the reasons why bands like Travis, Verve, Lush and yes- even The Smiths, Morrissey and The Clash make me unwell. It's going to be messy and today isn't the day.
Had not heard of the band or heard any of their music before this. Not an album I think I'll come back to but there are some interesting tracks, and reminds me of some of music I liked in college.
This is a pretty solid Example of Britpop that I don't super care for. I sounds old, but it was made in the 90's so I don't super get it. Plus, To keep it honest I found the lead singers vocals pretty grating. Glad it's over lol. It wasn't horrible, and I imagine a lot of people like it. Not for me.
My least favorite of the BritPop 90s, I had never listened to this whole album, and gave it a chance. 30 years later, I still prefer Blur, Supergrass, and Pulp in this era/genre of music. Suede is fine, but just never really grabbed my attention. I still find Andersonâs delivery to be vaguely annoying, while the music never delivered much excitement or engagement for me.
Lots of sort of swirling layered guitars. It sounds kind of lush and not necessarily noisy. Some heavy usage of flanger some other modulation effects like this. Kind of interesting playing but I tend to prefer things with a more driving beat. The guitars tend to sort of fade into the soundscape and instead of being out front. The real dealbreaker for me was the singer. To my ear, his voice is thin, nasal and whiny. There is a lot of falsetto but I think his main voice is just too thin. Not for me at all - basically the opposite of what I gravitate to. Overall, not terrible but just not for me.
I tried. I wanted to like this. I read the lyrics and the Wikipedia back story. But I didnât hear this at the time and now I feel it is too late. Perhaps I am missing something, but I donât really feel that I missed out. And am not a fan of the voice. I can see what they are trying to do (I think) but it doesnât really speak to me and I donât find the music particularly original or moving. So Young is an okay start (maybe partly because I recognised it from the radio) but for me it chugs along with variations of the same theme for the rest of the album, with diminishing returns.
Tired, overstayed its welcome, and everything being done has been done better before.
Oof. Hard for me to get beyond his voice. That nasally screech, which is too common in British punk-pop, brings all of the music around it down for me. Some of the music is strong and the overall concept of the albums is interesting, but...that voice...
On first listen this is a slab of ponderous guitar Brit-pop. Not grunge, not Oasis, just slow and dull.
I had never of this band and this record made zero impression on me. I never really paid any mind to the Britpop movement at all. Nothing bad about it, just kind of meh, and I had a hard time contextualizing it at all.
She's not dead...yet. I like Suede. That's as in depth as you're getting from me today.
Me surpreendi totalmente. Fui com preconceito (achando que fosse meio boring tipo os mais famosos do britpop, Blur e Oasis) e achei muito foda. Primeira nota 5 que dou de um ĂĄlbum que nunca escutei da lista.
I've Finished The Second Quarter M 3l Bouheli Mte3 Dostoevsky. No Productive Day. But Opportunity Is Knocking.
Excellent album. Suede is ahead of itâs time, it still sounds modern. I really liked Animal Nitrate c and The Drowners. Will definitely be returning to this band.
This was so good! Shocked I haven't heard of it before. Totally reminded me of The Cure and The Smiths. Wow. Definitely want to listen to this one again.
NĂŁo conhecia nada e amei! JĂĄ quero ouvir mais! Melhores mĂșsicas: The Drowners, So Young, Sleeping Pills O ĂĄlbum Ă© todo bom!
Love it. It's got a post-punk vibe. Catchy, edgy, fast paced and not so cookie cutter, which is great!
Oh to be young, free and careless again, and to fully embrace the anxiety and confusion that comes with it. No album somes that time up better for than Suede.
The follow-up, Dog Man Star, is several stars better but this album is great too of course. Coming Up ishpikd be on the list too. Suede is a really good example how good a band can be in their prime: the b-sides during Suede-DogManStar-Coming Up are of similar quality as the tracks on these three albums.
This album is great in the music, even if a some of them sounds like the same, each one has something special, also the voice and the lyrics give the album that touch that no other can offer, this starts from the cover which could cause controversy, however as you listen the album, the purpose change is more clear, make you think about life as we live.
Fully signed up member of the Suede Nation here. The original and still one I listen to regularly. I glorious grimy shot of street passion, the power of doomed love and glamour... Above all else glamour.
I was a teenager when Suede released this record, but I was in my late 20âs before I really got into them. Dunno what that says about me or about the band or about the 90âs. All I know is that theyâre one of my favourite bands and this record is and All Timerâąïž.
En mÀ osaa tÀtÀ sen kummemmin perustella, on yksi elÀmÀni levyistÀ. Brett on ihana. Ihana.
Impressive. Great debut album that makes me interested in their other stuff.
3/15 (Resumed) Love the rawness on this early Britpop record, theyâve got a great sound. Standout Tracks: So Young, Animal Nitrate, Pantomime Horse, Sleeping Pills, Metal Mickey, My Insatiable One
Didn't know a single song on this album. I like many of the tunes though. Would listen again!
This was pretty good despite his annoying Bowie voice imitations which was too much at points. The Drowners was an excellent tune. Sleeping Pills is comically dramatic. YOU'RE A WATERR SIGHN, AND I'M AN AYRE SIGHN/Too Siamese to catch the leaves from those trees/Sweet FA to do today. Lay off the valium matey. The horns in Breakdown were sick.
Bon album rock, je ne mâattendais pas a cel en voyant la couverture mais jâai bien aime4*
Credit where creditâs due. See used talent by this group Iâve never heard of, very much enjoyed it
Enjoyed it. A few songs were familiar but never got in to Suede at the time. Will listen again
More than anything, I really enjoy the production on this album. Everything sounds so full and rich, it lends itself extremely well to the compositions. Not much of a fan for Brett Anderson's vocals though (too steeped in glam rock stylings, it borders on parody), but the rest of the band does a lot of great work here.