Elastica

This just sounds so generic. It sounds like the music a fake band in a movie would play.

Its not bad. In fact. Its good. However, its shocking how much Elastica ripped off Wire on quite a few of the songs. Compare I Am The Fly and Line Up or Three Girl Rhumba and Connection.

I saw "britpop" on the wiki and groaned. Not another britpop album! But whoever wrote that genre classification was either an idiot or a sexist who believed that, if it has a female singer, it's pop. Because this isn't pop. This is post-punk rock. And barely post-punk at that. It was tasty as hell and I loved every single track. Will be listening to this again on the regular.

And the award for the band most brazenly ripping off Wire goes to...

soft, never here. just like my dad.

Not particularly exciting. They also plagiarized Wire. I could forgive that if they at least had some solid songs of their own. It's just another meh album that wasn't awful but is far from special. At least it wasn't EDM like I thought it was going to be for some reason.

spirited, but very derivative (Stranglers. Wire. Buzzcocks.)

Another example, of which I find myself questioning the validity and general reasoning for it to be included in a greatest albums of all time list. ‘All time’ means exactly that and in this instance across all music genres...so it makes me scratch my head even harder when a grungy alt rock band with no distinguishable characteristics like this one is included. Yes, if it was released and universally acknowledged as one of the rock band founders of the grunge movement, by all means I’d sing it’s praises and promote it’s inclusion. But it’s not...actually not even close. For example, a well known band who absolutely should be on this list called Nirvana, were releasing material commercially at least five years before this album dropped and there had also been 100’s of knockoffs since then. Not surprisingly most of these bands music sounded very similar. So the fact this album was released in 1995 toward the actual end of the genres height of popularity makes it’s inclusion here even more perplexing to me. So to sum up. I found this album plain and all too familiar...but not in a good way. 2 Stars!

When I saw they were an offshoot of Suede, I was prepared for the worst... but I was pleasantly surprised that this was a fun post-punk flavor of Britpop that didn't make me want to die of boredom.

Some really fun femme lead postpunk. A little samey at parts, but tight enough to cover it.

Couldn't really get into this. As much as I've tried, I don't think punk rock is for me.

I figured I would like this album and indeed I loved it from the opening to the first track. Nice mixture of short and interesting songs that never got stale, in fact it just got better and better the more I listened. It's not quite a 5, but seemed closer to a 5 than a 4.

Very catchy overall. An album that ticks all the boxes.

Going to take a detour to start this review off, but have you ever heard of ”Never Say Never” by the band That Dog.? You probably haven’t and that’s ok, but you should…it’s kind of a perfect song. Sure, it’s got a distinctly 90’s sound: fuzzed out power pop replete with Cars-esque synths, but…it’s perfect and the instrumental bridge with Petra Haden’s layered violin solo is outright beautiful. You’re welcome. Anyway, Elastica. I remember when “Connection” was a hit back in the 90’s, but don’t really remember feeling strongly about it in either direction. It was good to me, not great, but I may not have been the target audience or especially receptive to what it was at that time. I guess that’s the thing about “one hit wonders”, if that hit doesn’t really land with you and you don’t go out of your way to hear anything else by the band, they tend to disappear just as quickly as they came along. Unfortunate, but that’s the reality of our situation. This record is more aggressive and experimental than i expected. It’s a pretty solid 90’s alt rock record from start to finish, even if they do some “borrowing”.

One of the most memorable facial expressions I've seen that didn't involve sex or injury was displayed by a nice young Québécois when I played him Wire's "Three Girl Rhumba" after he told me Elastica were his favourite band. "But this changes everything!" Am I allowed to say I prefer "Connection"? Directly quoting Wire bangers in the opening two songs is too on-the-nose, but I note in both instances the lifted parts aren’t made the main hooks. The argument for homage is stronger than that for straightforward plagiarism. This is a better record than I remembered. There are songs with swerve and guitar work that often puts one off-balance - spiky stuff, to use a journo word. There are more good songs here than I gave credit for - “Waking Up” and “2:1” are a comely pair - but then again there is also “Indian Song”, which raises the grisly spectre of a post-punk Kula Shakur. Will Simon retell his magnificent Elastica answering machine story? I am looking forward to him explaining exactly why I am a grotesquely ugly freak in lofting this up to a THREE.

I haven’t seen any of the Fast and Furious movies but this album feels like it could be the soundtrack for one of them pretty fun rock, not really my style but still enjoyable nonetheless, biggest problem for me is it clearly lacks originality, most of this stuff has already been done before (and better) by more talented bands - 6/10

Probably the first time I've listened to this as I was never a fan. It's not changing my mind any so far. Got to the end of it and probably won't go back. Very derivative.

Actually enjoyed it - couple of really great tracks and the rest was passable but connection, waking up and stutter are all good tunes... tails off a bit after that

this is only on this list because of the Trigger Happy theme, otherwise its pretty unremarkable. I've never heard anyway mention this band, i've never heard any of the other songs. It is quite dull and i wont listen to it after today. Its a low to mid 2

It's harsh but has some decent riffs.

Not my thing

Not my thing

Ok I guess, not my thing really

Godawful rip off of Wire, Buzzcocks and The Stranglers (and contemporary Blur in a Hole/Nirvana sense). Becomes steadily worse as it goes on. Totally creatively bankrupt, so disappointing to see this come up on the list. Utter shite

Godawful rip off of Wire, Buzzcocks and The Stranglers (and contemporary Blur in a Hole/Nirvana sense). Becomes steadily worse as it goes on. Totally creatively bankrupt, so disappointing to see this come up on the list. Utter shite

Das schlechteste aus den 80ern (kalte New Wave-Ideenlosigkeit). Obwohl aus den 90ern. Der schlechteste Mix der 80er und 90er und leider ganz viel vom schlechten von heute, quasi. Derlei Bedeutungslosigkeit in einem Erstlingswerk ist schon bemerkenswert.

Brit pop itself as a genre is pretty weak and this is a piss poor example. Not entirely without merit, but very nearly. It’s guitar music for people who don’t like guitars.

Poopoo

Más malos que el hambre

Didn't expect to see this album on the list. I loved it as a teen, but not one I thought would be showcased as a must listen before you die, nor do I think it deserves to be, even as much as I love it. I really enjoyed listening through the album again regardless, and it will always be an all time favorite from the 90s.

Fantastic record

Drivel Head wears her glad rags, She's got her keys, money and fags, I know that her mind is made up, To get rocked. Drivel Head needs a new man, As only a drivel head can, He's a hormonal nightmare, So beware. Another victim of line up in line, Line up in line is all I remember. Oh, how their favours change, You could have been kinder. Yes, yes, line up in line, Line up in line is all I remember. Oh, how their favours change, You could have been kinder. Yeah, this is a pretty damn good album. This list has made me resistant to most UK music, because theres been enough mediocre post punk or pop crap on this list to fill a "now thats what I call" CD, but this is an actual good album. 5/5

It's telling that Britpop's most muscular, aggressive, and downright grunty album was recorded be a predominantly female band. Is there something the other bands weren't telling us?

Yes to everything here. The October songs are HITTING so far

Well, this was a surprise! I didn't think I was going to like this but I loved it. I don't usually like just straight rock music but this was awesome. Keeping this one on my phone.

Perfectly situated between 80s girl groups and 00s female-led indie groups, like a stepping stone. Think somewhere between The Bengals and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

A little britpop a little punk — a lot of cool power chords, melodies and riffs

Grunge punk, great stuff.

Now this is some good shit. I love the female representation in this genre. The baselines all over this album are sick as hell. I will be returning to this album — this is one of my favorite discoveries of this project so far.

Yes! It rocked. It grooved. It boosted my mood. I couldn't ask for more than that. Thanks!

gooooood stuff no notes

I'd listen to this with the windows down any day.

Reminds me of the Pixies and Dischwala !!

The Lovechild of the Pixies and the Ramones. Everything about this wonderful.

Very enjoyable. Pleasantly surprised

A top five britpop album, in my opinion — a wonderful mix of that punchy britpop rock sound with the snarl of the toughest voice in the genre.

Realley good!

Loved it!

more like Fantastica

YASSS HOTGRIL SUMMER

Pocos discos dentro de la ola de Britpop me gustan (personalmente) tanto como este. El debut de Elastica es una fabulosa colección de canciones cortas, sumamente entretenidas y seguras de sí mismas. Si bien Damon Albarn de Blur colaboró en la composición de este disco (quizá razón de la por qué se escucha tan interesante, sobre todo si consideramos que Albarn ya contaba con unos cuantos años de experiencia), Justin Frischmann y compañía demuestran porque merecen ser un acto propio y no algo que debería ser relacionado con otras bandas en este bello LP. Sumamente recomendable.

Rockin post punk indie album

I've never heard of this group but I love this album

This is one of the 90’s best

They got criticized for lifting a riff from Wire, but this album rocks. Gem from the 90s.

One of my favorite punk albums I've listened to so far. It's kind of modern with it's boldness, energy and catchiness, all in that cool 90s style. Love how it strays from the norm with a women majority line up. Overall it's just a nice breath of fresh air. Really liked it and will come back again.

Wow I really dug this album. Definitely going to check out more from them.

Every song was great, but after reading the other reviews, I guess I need to go listen to Wire.

Elastica is, for all intents and purposes, a one hit wonder. The only well known song they ever produced was Connection, off of this album. They didn't produce anything for another five years and then only three albums altogether. That doesn't mean they weren't good. In fact, one listen to this album and you will realize they were great. Falling somewhere between 90s alternative and riot grrls aesthetics, their eponymous debut, is full of fire and energy. Connection is, of course, the highlight, but there is lots of great material here. Elastica the album, only highlights how sad it is that Elastica the band never really thrived beyond it.

I recall listening to Three Girl Rhumba by Wire and the main guitar riff reminding me a lot of Connection by Elastica. Im not sure if I know any other Elastica tracks, but Connection is definitely a banger. Let’s hope here is more of the same here! Songs I already knew: Connection Favourites: Connection, 2:1 This was fantastic, and most certainly to my tastes. It felt raw, but not too raw. It also felt polished, but not too polished. They seem to have landed at the perfect spot for my tastes. The guitars are loud and obnoxious, just how I like them, and the vocals are so very nice. This will most definitely be an album that I’ll be returning to a fair bit.

Very fun album! We can really appreciate all the experience those musicians have here. Rock is not a genre that I peculiarly like usually, but that one is for sure an exception.

Girls who rock are always cool in my book, and this album is no exception. Could listen on loop forever.

Heel fijn plaatje. Helemaal grijsgedraaid destijds, en nog altijd word ik er vrolijk van. Dat heerlijke Engelse accent, en die puntige bas- en gitaarlijntjes. En een leuk feitje: De zangers had destijds een relatie met Damon Albarn, die onder het pseudoniem 'Dan Abnormal' op een paar nummers mee pingelt op de piano.

Really enjoy this one

I was just thinking about this before, so this was interesting to see. Second listen. This album just has so many songs that I like. It’s too bad they don’t have more albums (I haven’t heard The Menace yet). Favorite song: “S.O.F.T.”

Очень хорошо

Every track is a standout.

I loved the micro phase of music they co-led with Garbage, Courtney Love, and others. Harder than the Breeders, more fleeting than Sleater-Kinney. Just a blink of the eye.

Stylish high octane rock/pop, wow this blew me away. Superb in every department, this is a great discovery

My favourite britpop album, cool riffs and quality irreverant lyrics, still very listenable and a couple of killer tracks

Superb. Dancing in the kitchen.

Sure, it's "derivative"... Sure, they ripped off Wire... Sure, it's the sort of album that will not be remembered for being groundbreaking or taking any significant risks with its audience... But hell do those songs SLAP you in the face from start to finish. In a year filled with wonders (1995, counting at least *40* essential or absolutely gripping full-length records in my book), this debut manages to end up very high in my own personal ranking. And that is a feat all by itself. Speaking of "years", British post-punk has had a few great ones recently... But I'm pretty sure this poppish version of it here has contributed to keep the flame alive since the subgenre's inception. And even if it didn't, this LP is still a small wonder anyway. Sometimes "essential" doesn't mean "relevant" or "deep" or "sophisticated". Sometimes "essential" means "*Hell, yeah!*" 5/5. Number of albums left to review: 521 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 230 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 110 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 140

Child, please.

Awesome

Connection

Never heard of this band and was unsure when it said britpop. This ain't britpop. This was really good. Other reviews say it is derivative of other bands, but if that is true, I am checking out those other bands as well since this was good shit.

Wonderful album

never heard of them. Is this another drummer-led band? I think, then,... turns out I know & LOVE "connection" for it's edginess and her sexy voice... its 90's joyfully relived, Turns out I would have been a massive fan if I knew them. discovery! Best tracks on first listen are: Smile (oh YEAH on the finish), Connection, Car Song, Blue, (and yet, GREAT drummer, i love their sense of rythmn, and her voice is at an indiscirbable sweet spot of soft refined, and yet a punky edge makes her elusively sexy to listen to.

The 90's had some great rock and roll moments, and Elastica is up there with the best. I've always loved a rockin Tele/Strat combo and they have a great rhythm section, especially the drummer. Waking Up, yes I know they were a bit naughty, has always been my favourite and Connection would be in the top ten of 90's zeitgeist moments. Straight out great rock and roll record, loved going back to it.

From the moment I first saw Elastica on Rage, I was a big fan. And I had a huge crush on Justine Frischmann. The song was Stutter - still one of my Top 5 favourite Britpop songs from the 90’s. The look of the band - like who gives a fuck - the low-slung guitars,the thrift-shop clothes & the fabulous, breakneck tune, clocking in at about 2:20. This was well before the album was released & the great singles just kept coming - Line Up, Car Song & the amazing Connection. The album is a great listen - 16 tracks at an average 2&1/2 minutes long per track. It never gets boring, right to the great closer, Vaseline. Yes, they were sued by both Wire &The Stranglers for “borrowing” from their work. But, hey, how many times did The Beatles get sued for the same thing? This is a classic album.

Nice album! Some of it pretty generic but overall, good stuff!! Saved tracks: Connection, Car Song, S.O.F.T, Blue

Brilliant

Unashamedly cops riffs from Wire but we'll forgive them for the fact this is arguably the most fun 38 minutes of the whole Britpop Era

cool

90’s wire with a female lead singer that’s slept with both Brett Anderson and Damon Albarn. Of course this is amazing!

Great stuff. Catchy riffs, good energy, bops all round

Discazo de todo un disco de rock con buenas melodías, excelente voces y acompañamiento. Buenas guitarras y batería

It was the second time, still a good album!

Un grande

It's deeply unoriginal as The Stranglers and Wire's bank accounts will attest, but it's so direct and so joyous you'd be heartless not to love this album. Iylt is just SO COOL.

Big fan at the time - still love it now.

I thought this album was great. I only knew the one radio hit (Connection) going into this, which I liked years ago. But little did I know that it was far from the best songs on this album. Pleasantly surprised at how great this one was. I'll definitely be listening again.

Primo. Better than the often played singles, which are also great.

It's wonderful!

i love girl rock

Angry chick rock! I dug it.

1995 - Britpop, Indie rock, Punk rock, Post-punk

A gnat in a hat. A pig in a wig. A sexy little swine drizzled in cum dancing a jig on the groove of my bum. The major says "who goes there?" and the alley cat sighs and they all end up dead in pursuit of the prize. The candlewick drips in the eye of the snail and the little boy trapped in the belly of the whale. The hourglass breaks and the storm passes through and all that is left is the memory of you.

This album is a classic 90s britpop album that is great from start to finish. It also sounds just as fresh as it did 25 years ago. Forty minutes. 16 songs. Most of them, especially the semi-Wire/Stranglers covers, very catchy.

Really enjoyed this. Wish I’d discovered it when it was first released