Reviews (page 6 of 9)
3.5/5. Pretty consistently solid with a few standout songs. I enjoyed it, but I’m not deeply impacted by any of it. Would listen to again though.
fun! i like this genre of music a lot, good example of lo-fi grungy pop, reminds me a lot of the big star-inspired bands of the time like the replacements. might like it a bit more after a couple more listens, idk.
Absolutely deserved to beat out "Nevermind" in that Spin album of the year poll
Great album from a great band
i really enjoyed my time with this one. i've not explored teenage fanclub's wider material, but it's always been a name that i've heard and have been interested to listen to. it reminds me a lot of the power pop that i love - big star, particularly. big guitars, catchy hooks, a teeny bit of noise. very fun stuff!
solid album, nice rock style, sounded really good but songs didn’t really stick much, decent album overall i’d say around a 6/10
Þokkalegt alt-næstumþvíindí-rokk.
This was actually quite high-quality production-wise, I really rate the guitar parts and it generally sounded like my kind of thing. Although nothing stood out in particular, I imagine that it would be enhanced by a second listen.
I mean, it's THE Indie record but it doesn't really excite me. 3 stars because it's so bloody 90's , like a mash up of being in an episode of This Life and Game On. It also came before all the rest and Kurt Cobain loved it too. Also, the bloke who said the British compiler of this list probably begrudgingly put this on here as they are Scottish. The Scottish ARE British! It's really not that difficult.
Some good tracks, worth a relisted - Weezer adjacent at times
Could easily be missing something but this felt bland. Last song was at least a bit interesting but I didn't latch onto anything.
I enjoyed some music like this back in the 1990s. But this doesn't need to be on a list like this. Didn't do anything for me. I liken it to a chalky powdered sugar tablet of candy. Sure it's sugar but nothing to write home about.
It's fine, but I didn't need to hear it.
Nice background music
Fuzz out deliciousness
# Playlist Track - What You Do To Me # Notes - Not a bad album, but there's no way in hell this thing beat "Nevermind" in any Album of The Year that is not hosted by "Scottish albums with Covers Made in MS Paint Magazine".
I’ve been listening to this album for years, just a homage one though. I think I enjoy this more than the other, very memorable. 3.3
alright early 90's alt rock
Dispensable.
Never got to hear anything about this band, except the name, but they're pretty good, on this album at least
Couldn't listen to one full song. 1/5
The opening song is tremendous, the second half especially. This is good alt-rock. Their sound really scratches an itch and I don't think it has any misses.
Scottish pop perfection with a dose of grungy distortion. Teenage Fanclub are hard to beat and this may be my favorite album of theirs.
This album landed on American shores as a very welcome antidote to the "Negative Creep" grunge vibe that was dominating American rock n roll at the time. I wore it out then, as well as their previous album "A Catholic Education" Unfortunately it was made at a time and scene where making the record sound shitty helps prove it's artistic authenticity. I'm glad we've moved in from that!
Although I know Teenage Fanclub isn't quite as obscure as some of the other Scottish bands featured in this collection, it's kind of funny how many Scottish bands seem to show up in the rotation, and often without too much to distinguish them aside from their Scots-y-ness. An OK album, but not all that distinctive, and a little hard to tell exactly what sound they're trying to achieve (although at times I was reminded of Dinosaur Jr).
The fuzzy quality to the sound made me question my headphones. I appreciate their consistency more than I do their music, which is solid, just not for me.
Warm, fuzzy summer vibes, good for any time of day. It’s catchy Big Star-style major key rock, sounding kind of loose and tight and polished and retro at the same time. The music flows like a lazy river, winding from track to track, and while not every song is strong in itself, the whole package holds together in a nice tension. Oh, be sure to check out the remaster, much better.
Fun
Great discovery - they might not be a new favourite but I'd listen to it again. The album cover needs work tho
I’m sorry, but this is NOT better than Nevermind, I don’t know what Spin was on. It’s not bad by any means, but it’s not transcendent.
Casually enjoyable but nothing special.
This was ok, certainly nothing special but pleasant enough. Hard for me to wrap my brain around the apparent fact that Spin thought this was superior to Nevermind. That position has certainly not stood the test of time.
...
Nice. Never really locked in on anything but an enjoyable album overall. 3/5.
Ironically I really liked this a lot more the first time I listened as teenager.
Good record, reminds me of Weezer Blue, The Posies Frosting…, and REM. Love the vocal harmonies. I wish the artwork better represented the sound.
Nice. Nostaligic for GenX
Sounds like they are stuck in the 60s.
Certainly classic rock indebted; these are jangly major-key guitar tunes if I've ever heard any. I can hear the fingerprints from all sorts of 60s and 70s juggernauts here. The melodies and instrumentation elevate this from being a pastiche to a genuinely good, inspired album. One of those things that just works for me. Highlights: The Concept, December, What You Do To Me, Star Sign, Alcoholiday, Is This Music?
Meh.
Par for the 1001 course
It was okay. Nothing special, just an ordinary garage rock album.
It a bit jangly samey most of the way through, with the exception of the excellent heavier tracks. Not bad, just won't listen to it again.
Jangle power pop done perfectly.. Perhaps not overly original but in 1991 it sure seem to be.
I love this record. Simple strummy power pop with great harmonies.
The indie rock version of Big Star. This is a great album and I'll listen to it again.
I had to listen to this one twice. The first time I was in the car and my kids were talking over it most of the time. Wasn't a fair listen but I still heard some things that I thought were good and I wanted to try again. Glad I did, listened a second time and really really liked it. Loved the guitar work. Great stuff here!
Genetic
If the songs are still great despite sounding the same the majority of the time, then you've got yourself a classic album. Bandwagonesque, which I thought was Teenage Fanclub's debut for the longest time, is one of those all killer no filler classics; the kind of album that even the most forgotten about song or two will find its way into your head and stay there for a while. As it starts off with one of the best songs ever made (The Concept), Bandwagonesque operates upon a tried and true formula that never ceases until the end, proving its mettle as a worthy repeat listen and a record deserving of adoration. Is this music? You bet it is.
another average indie album
AI could have written this album. Good background music. Uninventive.
I quite liked this album. I'm just not a fan of the distortion used in the first 2 songs. Thankfully Satan is short. My favourite was "Is This Music?"
Liked it at first but got weird and repetitive
Zzzzz
meh
Pleasantly surprised!!
3.5 Perfectly fine but nothing exceptional. What You Do to Me is catchy as hell. I am sure I have heard it in a commercial at least. Half a star for being a fun 45 minutes and for naming your last song of 12 "Is This Music?"
I liked it. I was good. Punky.
A group I was aware of but took not much notice as none of their music thrilled me at all. Plenty of alternative rock groups which I fancied more. Never heard this album before. It was just run of the mill stuff and nothing there to make me want to listen again. 2/5 18/4/24
Ok - or better: just ok
Ganz ok! 4/5
2 - I was hoping to like this, but it was kind of nothing. Not bad, but I didn't really find anything here to grasp onto.
Excellent power pop ablu. These guys listened to Big Star long and hard and come up with their own No. 1 Record. Highly enjoyable especially December, What You Do Yo Me, Alcoholiday and Is This Music. 4 stars
Bandwagonesque was voted 'album of the year' for 1991 by American music magazine Spin, famously beating Nirvana's landmark album Nevermind. Lol what? No.
I do not understand why this is included. I know I may be wrong; maybe it is my "taste", but I listened to it three times and could not get excited about it or find a reason to listen again.
I feel like this album happened but I didn’t really listen to it if that makes sense. I feel as though it just went by and I had it going but can’t recall. I believe it was average and usually ai would notice if something was outright horrible but there was absolutely nothing memorable about this.
Agreed that this definitely sounds like it could've been Big Star's 4th album and overall the music is better than much of BS's material. Great melodic guitar pop rock. What always held it back from truly sticking out for me was/are the lead vocals. Preferential (isn't it always) to be sure but he always fell into that early 90s not-quite-but-approaching-slacker vocal style. This is better than the crappy Pavement-style leads as he's in tune but maybe *lackadaisical* is the best word to describe it. Love the harmonies of course, this album/band just could have used a much more-interesting lead singer for me. I like this album, but dull vocals bring it down to merely real nice for me rather than what would have been a favourite. 7/10 3 stars.
Rocks pretty hard. Not so hard you get a headache, but also hard enough to hold your interest.
I never really got into Big Star. This band sounds a lot like Big Star. I thought a lot of the songs sounded the same, not much in terms of variety. Also, the songs were kind of boring, like they’re 3-5 minute pop songs that felt far too long. There’s definitely better power pop out there. Not sure how this made the list to be honest. It’s not really innovative, it sounds like it could’ve come out in the 70s but it came out 20 years later. It’s listenable but nothing to write home about.
This album just felt colorless and boring. I don't have much to say, which is how this album feels to listen to. Fav track: Is This Music?
Great guitar. Cool lyrics.
My first impression is that it sounds like the soundtrack to a 90's teenage rom com. After a few listens through I find it ok, but nothing extraordinary. I guess it's on the list for being early for this sound.
Really not too bad at all. Not sure why it is on this list - but I guess it beat out Nirvana in 1991? 3 stars for me
I’m surprisingly giving this one a 4, maybe it set the mood for my stormy dash to Santa Cruz for an epic surf trip but it was fun to listen to.
Kind of standard light alt rock
Ganska basic men gick att lyssna på
Borderline between rock and metal-rock.
Not bad. They must have been the first to sound like this to make the list. 3.
The music is fine but nothing special. They weren't the first to have this sound. Personal Enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 2/5
Really not what I expected. Melodic, Beatlesesque indie alt pop. Really, really nice, and it's influence can be heard in other 90s bands that I like. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: What You Do To Me Date listened: 01/04/24
Not a big fan of Nirvana's "Nevermind" but there's no way this generic alt-rock effort can be better than that.
Best Song: Star Sign. I liked the extended guitar thing at the beginning. Worst Song: Alcoholiday. An especially whiny track on an album chalk full of whiny tracks. Overall: No one is getting excited about this, least of all the singer. Everything delivered through a relatively unemotional monotone. The musical equivalent of hospital fluorescent lights.
Was listening in background and wasn't too bad
Sounds a bit like Oasis but 3 years earlier and better. Songs were good throughout, not a lot of variety but a strong, very enjoyable album
Yes did enjoy
Decent
Not for me
Pretty surprised, I was expecting something…less. It’s decent enough that I’ll give it another few listens for sure.
ok
This is forgettable
I like that this album's claim to fame is it won over an album it shouldn't have. The music itself is pretty boring for me. Will I listen to again: 5%
Pop Rock Slow going, good background music for the summer
This wasn't bad, but I'm also questioning why it was in a list of 1001 albums you MUST listen to before you die. Really?
Another one that mostly got past me at the time. Textbook Alt-rock, with the distortion and jangly guitars, rock steady back beat, and close harmonies on the chorus.
I didn't recognize this band or album, but I realized I'd heard "The Concept" before. Overall an ok listen for me.
Incredibly boring. maybe if i was young when i first heard it but it feels dated and dull now
The jangly and bland stuff that would inspire the absolute worst Britpop. But then there's a track on here called Satan and it's kind of insane.
good
Blind album and artist. Great album overall. I loved their sound and I might've recognized What You Do to Me? Don't know where though. It is my favorite on the album. I wish Satan was longer for sure.
I'm skeptical that this should be on the list.
Meh.
Some of the sounds on the opening track gave me a burst of hope that this might have been something interesting to listen to but then three or four songs in it turned into general boring pop music so I phased out and don't really care for this sorry lads.
Really solid 90s rock. Had never heard of this album but definitely enjoyed it
Eh I thought I enjoyed it. Did a workout while listening to it, but the only song I really really enjoyed was, Is this music? Was a dancing around to it.
noise pop. ¡Qué bonito sonido!
worthless. id rather sit in silence and not do anything for an hour NNN prev. YYN
A perfectly adequate representation of mid 90s alternative rock. Also a perfect representation of why I dislike the term “alternative rock,” since the sameness of it means there wasn’t much of an alternative.
Their sound kind of reminds me of the (early) Foo Fighters. I like the music and vocals but I found the lyrics a bit lacking, though I'm not sure how well I heard them.
Pretty meh. Can't quite give it a 2. Good candidate for 2.5, though.
good listen. would give 3.5 starts if able. I do think it would grow on me a bit.
Alt rockers hit the jackpot with legit rifts and hooks that bleed into your heart over 12 tracks.
Great 90s alt! Glad I got to hear it.
I absolutely underestimated my relationship to this album because I found myself singing every word of every song. It was fun to remember where and who I was in 1991.
hooly. ehkä top abumi nimi tähän mennessä, valitettavasti kontentti on aikaista 90-luku rokin tappamista.. heinähangot kädessä nämä bändit varrastavat viimeiset rokin jäänteet.. tässä vaiheessa jo kuollut.. ja vieläkin hakataan päätä ihan tohjoksi.. ei ole täysin armahtamaton albumi, joitain hyviä sektioita muutamassa biisissä, silti, yhden päivän slotin turhaan on viety taas tälläselle is this musici
Not bad but nothing really grabbed my attention
Too much guitar into to each song
My 12 points go to »Star Sign«.
Had a moment or two of interest. Overall the sound is thicker than deep and the lyric is flatter than full.
This album sounds like some Hollywood producers wrote a movie about a fictitious 60's garage group with shiny boy band vocals. It's ok for what it is but I wouldn't have included it on this list. Maybe it could be replaced with I Forget Where We Were by Ben Howard.
I don’t want to be here, the singer sounds as if he doesn’t want to be here as well.
Generic 90s music. 2/5
I'll take some of the songs with me into future listening, but all in all an inoffensive album that's quite similar to what I would have expected from a melancholy guitar band in 1991.
Haven't heard this album in decades. Always sorta like it. Good vibes. Some songs get repetitive or lack lytics.
meh
Ok this is something I like about this project, I know a few of these songs but never bought or listened to Teenage Fanclub or this album. I think I always thought they were boring. So I don’t know if it’s nostalgia from this type of music being right in my wheelhouse, but I’m loving this album. On my second listen through, and will add to the rotation. I the end I listened to it three times through, will give it a five!
Never heard of Teenage Fanclub before and honestly it was a solid album. I felt the original rock deep cuts were good, felt familiar in such a nice way. Not full on all-out bangers but nothing to hate on.
This beat Nirvana to the Grammy. In one sense, I get it. It does predict the 90s principal sound better - Fanclub limped so Oasis and a million members of the English Rock Defence League (rest in power Neil Kulkarni) could plod. It ends with the track Is This Music? Yes, it is, but the difference between a raw potato and a chip is heat. Both are food but I only crave one of these things.
Yeah, alright, I vaguely remember this.
Sad I missed these folks"back in the day". Also sad main stream media seemed to miss them too....
I thought I knew most 90s bands/albums worth knowing...turns out I was wrong! This is fantastic. I don't know about being bigger than Nevermind, but this album certainly has all the right vibes for the time period. Sounds a lot like Big Star but somewhat grungier? All in all, I dig it. Standout Tracks: The Concept, What You Do to Me, Is This Music?
Ich finde die Songs gar nicht schlecht, passen sehr gut in die Zeit. Gitarre klingt manchmal etwas trashig. Der Gesang ist etwas eintönig.
Not really. (Not the worst though). The concept - music is good. Bit too much of the three chord trick. Not enough to interest me. A 2.
Album 321 of 1001 Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque Rating : 3.75 / 5 Scottish alternative rock band, as described. I get a little more pop out of it. I like it. While no certain song stood out among the pack, the album as a whole was quite enjoyable. Good songs, good musicianship, good overall vibe. Will explore them a bit more.
I think Teenage Fanclub is an appropriate name, since this feels like a teen band. In a good way. Just the lyrics and the musical ability, kinda sounds like if I had musical ability in high school and tried to form a band. A very interesting combo of like 60s pop and elements of pop punk. Some songs I liked more than others. I could see myself listening to this more. There is a certain charm to it though. 3.5
Enjoyable listen.
Ik stoor me gewoon aan de lead vocal
Enh. It's okay, but nothing to write home about. I could easily live my life by not listening to it again and be okay.
Hipster
Not a fan
some standout songs but generally just good
A simple enough formula that reminded me of Japandroids, who I hadn't heard in a long time, so I went back to the 2012 release of Celebration Rock ... that's a great album; one that I think everyone should hear before they die.
Couldn't get into this at all.
another power pop set that's more promising than my last listen when it comes to the type of music. energetic and fresh, many of these tracks are peppy and quite rockin'. it's just a generally nice piece of work that gets you nodding your head with the players, and i feel like that's really what the genre is all about. good stuff!
Not for me.... At all...Ever...
I really don't remember anything about this album.
Would give 3.5 if I could. Enjoyed a to an alright good degree, but ultimately the songs start to become a collection of guitars and drums. Nothing wrong with that, but not sure if it offers anything new
After listening to Bandwagonesque, an album that Spin called the best album of 1991. I may disagree with that but this is still a really good album. The album has that typical teenage angst rock sound that i like about old 90s rock, but it also had some cool melodies as well. I do find some of the titles of the songs funny though like "Is This Music?" (yes it is). It is a really good album that any connoisseur of 90s rock would enjoy. Best Song: Alcoholiday Worst Song: Satan
Solid early grunge rock. Reminded me a bit of You Am I. 3.25 stars
BL: Complete blind listen. Never heard of this band before. I like the album cover though. AL: Good listen, very fun rock album. I did know "What You Do to Me" as it's definitely been in a film I'm just not sure which one. Some specific tracks really stood out, generally speaking a good strong album overall. FT: "The Concept", "What You Do to Me", "Sidewinder", "Guiding Star" 4/5
I got Copper Blue by Sugar from this generator a few days ago, and though that album and this one are both alternative-rock albums that I don’t think are important or impactful enough to be on this list, I rated this album a 2 because this really left no impression on me.
boring middle of the road rubbish
Power pop. Muy rollo. Un 2.
noise pop. ¡Qué bonito sonido!
Never my style. Guitar work/style is thin
Nothing special, but enjoyed the listen. 2.5/5
listening to this reminds me that the early '90s had a genre of its own. Alternative rock at that time seems to follow a familiar sound. I enjoyed some of the songs, where others didn't click as much for me 1st listen 2.5
For me it's a relatively easy going background listen. Nothing too spectacular.
Strong and steady, with an excellent last cut, and what a trip to recall all these records of '91. But, let's be honest: Songs from Northern Britain is a vastly superior record, because warmer, more soultful and more mature. Those resounding choruses and honest outreach (lyrically, one means, and presumably toward partners) are oh, so relatable. Bandwagonesque does sound just a touch dumb today, and "The Concept" vaguely annoying. Rounding up, largely, though not only, because of Hornby's love for this band (though maybe DCFC dude's love should balance that out). Last cut is a nice surprise and fine closer.
1.5 good songs. Mostly done a dozen.
I wish Pavement hit at the same level as these guys for me.
Youtube Music only gave me four tracks of the album.
I first heard Teenage Fanclub on the DCG Rarities Vol. 1 album with "Mad Dog 20/20" and came to discover this album through that collection. I am still bitter there wasn't a Vol 2. of this collection, but after 30 years I have finally begun to heal. I liked this album and it has a place on this list. It's a revolutionary album in that it came out when grunge was big and this is not a grunge album. I love the jangle-rock sound and this is an antidote to the incredibly serious and intense sound of other bands in the early 90's.
Good
God bless the second listen. Was so uninterested on my first listen. Sounded plain, uninspiring and mainly derivative. I then learned that the album preceded most of the artists it seemed to derive from. It sounds very Oasis-y and Madchester-ish generally. On the second listen, it all came together to create something really special. I love the first few tracks collectively. The final track Is This Music is easily the best on the album. Sounds so so much like a Cure song. A discarded intro to a song from Disintegration that Robert Smith never got around to writing lyrics to. Pet Rock is also a favourite. It’s a great album. You just need to listen to it again.
Soso indie Britpop, absolutely fine but nothing in it to draw me back.
4/5. These are just well written and fully fleshed out songs, a breathe of fresh air. Each song follows the other with excellent cohesion and no song over stays its welcome, including the longer songs. It feels like a mixture of pop with post rock; post-pop? It's mostly accessible sounds and the instrumental sections are great. Not all the way perfect but a good listen nonetheless.
Meh, pretty boring. 2.3.
Completely forgot about this band... is that good or bad? Still trying to figure that out.
These guys use the AC/DC formula of making all their songs sound similar. It was hard to get through the entire album without feeling like I had already heard this song before. Not really my style.
Grungy with a little more melody than Nirvana.
It's alright. A little light.
2 for every track. Why is this on the list?
"Bandwagonesque" is the third studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Teenage Fanclub. Alternative rock, power pop, jangle pop, noise pop. Yeah, that fits. The album had substantial success in the US with three songs hitting the top twenty on the Billboard Modern Rock Charts. It also had wide spread critical acclaim. "The Concept" starts things off. Distorted guitar then layered guitars. Guitar-led power pop. A couple of extended guitar jams. Maybe, this is even stoner or slacker pop if those are words. This reminds me a lot of the Lemonheads. It's about a woman who's cool and hip, maybe too much for her own good. The third single "What You Do To Me" continues the guitar-led power pop. Harmonies are added. A nice short song. Distorted and echoing opens the first single " "Star Sign." There seems to be a pattern there. A faster pace and more prominent bass. Soft harmonies. They switch lead singers in 'Sidewinder' without a drop off. Nice harmonies. A harder guitar at the end. "Alcoholiday" continues the layered guitars and we get a welcome guitar jam and solo. The album closes with the instrumental "Is This Music?" Higher pitch guitars...encroaching fellowship countrymen Big Country territory. I really like this. I remember getting this album when it came out and not really liking it that much. It didn't have an edge I was looking for. Well, it still might not have an edge but I definitely have a much greater appreciation for it today. Nice melodies, layered guitars and harmonies. It has a sound that we would hear more of in the early 90's....see the Lemonheads. Definitely worth a listen.
Not bad.
two big tunes and a bit of wishful thinking
Really just kind of a slog to get through. Yet another example of the early 90s alt rock sound I just cannot get into. It sounds so...I dunno...plastic? I don't think drums should sound like that. They feel so soulless and just add to the thin production across the board. I'm also not a big fan of overdrive powerchords throughout an entire song. Bring a little levity to your guitars, do something fun with them. It's not a punk record, so stop playing like punk. I have the same question as the last track on the record, which incidentally may be the best on the record.
Not going to jump on the bandwagon or join the club, but the guitar work on this record really captured my attention even if my overall interest waned over time.
I don't recall if I'd heard of the band or heard any of their music, and I'm very glad I've been introduced to them by this project. This is a very good album. Excellent. Nice balance of punky and edgy sounds along with superb pop and rock sensibilities. I enjoy the performances -- very engaging and well-executed. I'll be coming back to this one and exploring more of their work.
Lag tvö, Satan, gerir ekki mikið fyrir mig. Annað er merkilega melódískt miðað við alla distortionina á gíturunum. Söngurinn so-so, en þetta er skemmtilegt og ég renndi þrisvar. Byrjaði í þrist en hækkaði í fjarka.
definitely my kind of thing. Great guitar
Fine 90's post punk rock.
This was pretty good, easy to listen to and I enjoyed the guitar.
Really enjoyed this. One more interesting band I've never heard about
not in the mood
It exists yes.
It's distinctly average, I think I enjoyed the last track the most.
meh
have never heard a teenage fanclub album. it sounds exactly like i expected. early 90's indie rock. fine
1991. Pretty forgettable alt rock. The final track "Is This Music?" is ironically the most musical/best song.
ради таких находок я все это и затеял
Good album with a nice tune to it. I liked What You Do To Me, Star Sign, Metal Baby the most.
Low 3
I'm pretty sure I saw Teenage Fanclub a few times live. One of those 90s acts that were just there, without being on the top of the pile. A nice listen with a few memories.
Maybe the name put me off, the expectation of generic pop not enough to entice me. But I really liked this. Doing a deep dive now into their catalogue. A missing link between 80s indie rock and 90s Britpop, fusing elements from both sides of the Atlantic, with the odd Beatlesque hook (or blatant borrowing). Good Times.
Good god there's a lot of punk on this list. Yuck.
So Oasis didn't event nineties britpop after all. It was this Scottish band, apparently. And they got inspiration from an... American band. Funny how things work, right? I first listened to Teenage fanclub a few years after this particular album came out. I found them good, but a little trite and poppy compared to a lot of the other indie bands I was listening to at the time. Now, decades later, I have to admit that my ears are far more finely attuned to this particular sound, if that makes any sense. *Star Sign* is a great song, for instance. Yet about this one song, and about the other ones in this album, most of them stellar, I gotta say that on the other side of the pond, a US band named The Posies would soon do even better in this Big Star-indebted stylistic realm--also helped by producer Don Fleming--and this, with half of the music-press hype surrounding Teenage Fanclub. Yeah, Big Star is the American band I was referring to at the start of this short review. In a way there's a line that goes from Big Star to Oasis, and this almost directly. Didn't see that coming myself. So, yeah, today's album is really great, even if it's not the absolute best in the genre. Of course, saying so could sound as if I was trying to demean or take something out of *Bandwagonesque*. But I'm not. All by itself, this record is pretty iconic, and I understand why it should be on this list today, enough said. But still, don't forget to check out The Posies as well (*Frosting On the Beater* and *Amazing Disgrace*). OK? 4,5/5 for the purposes of this list, which translates to a 9,5/10 grade for more general purposes. I'm rounding up to a perfect 5/5 and 10/10, though. Number of albums left to review: 362 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 288 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 152 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 205
6/10 - Good rock songs Decent Rock album - NOthing to write home about though
Would I listen to this album again? No Were there any songs I skipped? December - It wasn't on Spotify Comments? Forgettable album. Favourite Songs? Star Sign
Overall, I think I would have enjoyed this album more if someone didn't tell me it was one of the best albums of all time before listening to it. Got over-hyped and I was disappointed. That being said, it was a good listen. There's just other bands with music from this era I'd rather listen to.
3.6 - Sunny, alternative rock inflected with shoegazy guitars - the stuff that was buzzing before Nirvana blew up. Easy pop ballads like “Metal Baby”would’ve fit snugly onto a Maxell XL-II C90 mixtape, perhaps in the middle side B.
Never heard of them before. This was pretty good. 3.5
It's OK. Didn't really stand out to me as having anything really distinctive for the era.
Never was a member of the Fanclub. Strong Big Star influences with a touch of Lemonheads.
Can I give it 6 stars?
IsThisMusic is definitely a highlight of the album. I feel like this whole aesthetic really blew up in the 00's, will listen again.
Boring.
I remember when they played Saturday Night Live in the early 90s and I enjoyed their performance. I kind of forgot about them. Listening to them today, I'm a tad surprised they weren't bigger. Then again, there were so many alt rock bands in the early 90s that they got lost in the shuffle while the Seattle bands ruled the roost. Too bad. This was a solid album.
Un band genre de STacys mom que je me soubiens pus du nom, mais très Teen. 3
unmemorable
Shocked that I never listened to this, it is so up my alley. Going to do a deep dive on Teenage Fanclub soon after this one. 4/5
The part of 90s alternative that sounds too much like pop...like a highschool band. Not for me.
I don't mind this, but I'd rather be listening to Guided By Voices
The melodies are solid but nothing I haven't heard before, and the lyrics are thinner on substance than anything I've heard in a long while - like icing without the cake. I liked the muscular riffs on muddled guitars, don't get me wrong, but after a little reading I still just don't see why Kobain himself called them the best band in the world when they toured together. Nevermind and In Utero blow this out of the water by every metric. Besides the song Star Sign, I felt myself wishing I was listening to Big Star or the Raspberries instead, both of whom did this style earlier and to greater effect. Whatever their 'it factor' is here was entirely lost on me. Even the hooks of tracks didn't grab my attention, felt sleepy if anything. If I had to guess, the late 80s were starved for anything like it so maybe it felt like water in the desert in 1991. Now it just feels like an also-ran. Totally fine but no tracks made their way to my 'liked songs'. Very light 3
Excellent album cover and title. These guys sound like a more chill sonic youth and it works. Enjoyed the dreamy vibe. The Concept, Alcoholiday, and Is This Music were my favorites. Light 4.
This band was fine but I was a little bored listening to it. I think it was pretty dynamically static. Perfectly fine music but nothing really caught my attention
Very good power pop. This reminds me of Matthew Sweet and maybe even the Gin Blossoms. A lot of jangly guitar parts. I like it!
Never heard of this group before, but this was a solid bunch of pop rock songs. It sounds like they might have influenced Fountains of Wayne or the Old 97s.“Pet Rock” sounds like something off of Exile on Main Street. Groundbreaking or essential? Probably not but I didn’t mind this one and it grew on me as I listened. “Sidewinder” and “Alchiholiday” were great .
Don’t judge an album by its album cover
Really really good!
This is better than you think from the album cover
Just bland. I thought there was something maybe promising in the first track, but it never developed. I was hoping for something with more bite, more subversive. Highlights: - The Concept - Satan
Wholly unimpressive but not terrible. This sounds like much of the drab pop-indie of today, so I guess there always has to be the forefather… the vocals are smothered in reverb and mixed to be quieter than the melody. The lyrics, from what I cared to pay attention to sang of cliche subjects and are forgettable.
Generic 90's alternative. Really didn't care for this at all.
Listened Before? N This was a nice indie rock piece. It didn't stray into some of the wierdness indie rock does at times. It was pretty safe and the themes were funny. I liked it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: What You Do To Me
Listened Before? No Album Art: 4 / 5 MS Paint at its finest. I approve. Never heard of these guys. The Concept is pretty center of the path 70s inspired indie rock material. Dense guitar, sort of sadboi sounding singer, with tight uninteresting drums. Guitar noodling was unexpected and crisp through the midsection. Also was not anticipating the tempo change that follows. This is a nice spacious jam -- I can dig it. Satan is an old school thump-a-dump intro that gives way to a short rock jam. Kind of odd, and wish they had done more with it. December goes back to some falsetto singing over a tender, loping bassline and strummed guitar. Comes together into a stomping, head-nodding song. I can dig. Had this on in the background for the rest of the playtime. I enjoyed it for the most part and didn't feel any need for it to come to an end. Would I seek it out again for a relisten? Probably not, but I enjoyed it for what I heard. 3 leaning 4 here. Added to Library? No Songs Added to Playlists:
Not my favorite. Pretty repetitive. Is This Music was a redeeming end to the album, but that was about it.
The Concept starts it off by with some nice guitar work and solo at the end which got me excited for the album. It then goes and starts sounding very Oasis-ey, not sure if that was just the style in the early 90s but a lot of bands sounded very similar. But it is a very generic music style that is so inoffensive that it is not impressive. Halfway through the album and its business as usual just sounding like a very run of the mill alternative album. It really makes me wonder why albums like this are on this list of albums we have to listen to while working. There is nothing wrong with it at all and its quite nice to listen to. But it is nothing special at all. Every single song sounds the exact same to me on this album. I have actually downgraded this from a 3 to a 2 as it went on because of how boring this album is. The longer it went on made me like it less and less. Is This Music? to end it was alright, it at least brought something new to the album. But still a middling 2 for me.
Never heard of this band in my life. First song started boring as hell but love the jam at the end. I'm on Star Sign and it's kinda starting to piss me off. Sounds like kinda bland rock. Has some solid guitar parts to it but nothing special. Got real boring towards the end. ERRRRRR
Gorgeous alt rock record - very melodic, poppy but also with a lining of grit - kind of in the vein of the Wannadies, Ash and Dinosaur Jr. It's a shame it's not available on some streaming services.
noise pop. ¡Qué bonito sonido!
Garage band sound. So far first few songs are pretty catchy. Fave song: Is This Music
Been told this is a garage band style and I hate it. Sounds like all the background drums and bass just random notes. Wild music I guess.
Im so glad I didn't spend 9 quid in the nineties to buy their shitty cassette and instead bought a sheep on drugs vinyl! Absoulute indie arse, nothing interesting at all.
Very 90s, staple of the indie nights. Sounded fresh at the time but apart from nostalgia it doesn't seem very relevant now, somehow lacks the enduring appeal of some of their contemporaries
Not much of anything
After reading the review in the 1001 book, I still can't work out if that album is parody or genuine.
Ah! Another Scottish rock band! (ala Fratellis and Proclaimers, except this one has a highly recognizable 90's sound) "what you do to me" is nice. It's the only one on here that I might want to perform on my own.
Definitely some good songwriting, but didn't engage me. The singing is not great. Probably an album a little ahead of time, but not one I'll listen to again.
This was the 90's pop rock equivalent of Derek and the Dominos
The album was a bit hit or miss for me, I think a trimmed down version of this album could easily be a 4 for me.
That was pretty good! I bought that when it came out but only listened to it a few times. Brought back some memories!
These guys sound like a Dollar store version of Sloan. Very "of the time". Early 90's soft rock/indie pumped out so many bands that sounded like this. Admittedly, this is one of the better Scottish acts I've heard on this generator. This music is so generic, I keep drifting off and losing focus on the album. There isn't much here that sets these guys out from the droves of similar acts. This album cover is terrible. This is something that any computer literate individual could recreate in MS Paint in about 3 minutes. Favourite songs: Star Sign, Metal Baby Least favourite songs: Is This Music? 3/5
Meh
# 89 : OMG another 90's Brit Pop Custard album. Enough already, I'm off to listen to Supertramp instead. Fav track : none, but I Don't Know was the best for me. Listened : 17/10/2023
If it beats out Nirvana for album of the year its probably pretty good 4
Way too many repetitive songs. Each song is basically a 30 second loop for 3 minutes
So I only got the Byrds the other day and here we are with the Fannies. Nice. I missed this one at the time, got into them when Grand Prix came out off the back of Sparky's Dream. Absolutely love that, and Songs From Northern Britain even better. The Concept is great, and Is This Music is lovely and brings back memories of Goal of the Month of Match of the Day. In between those two pinnacles, this while consistently good doesn't hit me as strongly as the aforementioned (either of which would garner a 5) and so I'm scoring appropriately. Another review says it sounds like Oasis before Oasis, which in places, yes it does. And that's because Oasis were ripping off Status Quo and claiming to be the Beatles. TF also influenced by Quo but at least they were good. Power pop!
ok
Such a fantastic power-pop album, was already fairly familiar with it before this but giving it a concentrated listen just reveals how good the songwriting is here. The opener especially is incredible, and throughout the album I love how prominent the bass is, always makes me happy. Putting it at a 4 but in the future I'm sure it'll climb even more.
This is pretty good. Kinda samey throughout, but definitely one of the better albums I've heard so far in the 1001 journey. Reminded me of Rooney (who obviously came later). It's garage pop-rock, but slightly polished. I don't think it says much or stands out, but it's not a grueling listen at all, like some of these have been. The first track is the best, and the last track is an interesting way to end an album. Kinda just a breezy instrumental jam to cap it all off. Not bad.
Good album. 90s Alternative. Familiar with the name but never heard their music. Why aren’t they more popular? Lots of overdriven fuzzy guitars and good pop sensibilities. Very catchy. Can hear the Beatles and Byrds influences. Totally underrated band. Will give another listen!
Perplexed and a little perturbed by the power pop produced in this presentation. Not perfect, not particularly profound. Pass.
Inget för mig
Irrelevant background music
Got bored
Very good. Took a while to get into though. Standouts: Star Sign, the Concept, What You Do To Me, Metal Baby, Satan, Alcoholiday, Guiding Star.
Teenage fanclubilla on muistaakseni jotain hyvääkin tavaraa, mutta täällä sitä ei ollut. Tosin kuulosti todella 2000-luvulta, mikä on yllättävää. Muuten yllätyksetöntä ja tylsää.
Musiikki, josta he pitävät ja jonka parissa ovat kasvaneet, ei ole näin hempeän tepastelevaa. Miksi tämä on? Huom. "koukku" ei ole pohjimmiltaan rakenteellinen elementti.
I love this album. Always have. I didn't discover it until months after the initial release, either the record company had held off on putting out in Australia when it was released overseas of they were doing a push to get it out their. But anyway, it was the morning of my 19th birthday and I was watching the music show Rage ( an Australian institution), the Concept came on and I was blown away. It mixed the droney shoegaze guitars with a 70s bubblegum pop. A perfect blend. That night I went to an indie club for the first time as they were a rarity back then and was given a copy of Bandwagonesque as part of a promotion. It was meant to be
early 90s indie rock. It's ok, kind of poppy and fun.
i have to imagine the use of microsoft paint for the album cover was a lot cooler and edgier in 1991 than 2023. regardless, i am here to focus on the music. on the whole, teenage fanclub's bandwagonesque left something to be desired. it had an early sound of alternative or indie music. some songs were better than others; i felt like teenage fanclub found more of their groove with "is this music?" 2.5, close to a 3 but not quite.
This album was okay. Definitely was picking up on some mid-90s alternative British rock (Oasis, for instance), but before Oasis. I had never heard of this band, so was intrigued to see a possible inspiration for bands like Oasis. Overall, just okay, and I don't know if it needs a spot on here, but fun to hear some probable history/inspiration. Almost a 3, so might as well.
Listening to this album is the equivalent of eating plain toast. It's fine if that's all there is but there's plenty of other types of toast I'd rather eat. Generally I like this type of music but there's nothing here that interested me at all.
would love this as a teenager
Meh, it just became background noise after the a few songs.
Hooks like these are my kryptonite. Just satisfying all the way through, and they have a ton of albums that achieve the same. Great underrated band.
Way too pop influenced alt-rock. The song "Is This Music?" really reminds me of another song that I can't place. Someone probably sampled the riff. It is probably my favorite song from the album though. The album is not completely bad but it's just not my taste.
Teenage Fanclub is great, they kind of hit the sweet spot for me for early 90s alternative music, somewhere in the middle of complete lo-fi and more polished radio ready stuff. It's pop music for sure but has some rougher edges around it which I love. I have always dug this album.
This album was ok. Nothing really stood out.
This band was on my radar for a while but I never bothered to actually check them out. I remember them being on an old SNL back when Comedy Central would show episodes from the '90s as filler material. That's all I knew going in. It's all pretty underwhelming. It's just Capital M Meh. It's Hard to decide between 2 and 3. I'm going 2 with this one because of whatever rag it was that said this was better than Nevermind lolololololololol
Enjoyable if not underwhelming at times. It really grows as the album goes on. British Pop-esque vocals mixed with 90's light alternative music. Lyrics don't really say anything, kind of generic. Nothing bad about the album, just doesn't jump out at all. 3/5 Would maybe listen again.
I quited liked Bandwagonesque, it's not polished or really good but it does sound authentic and has hints of what some of the better parts of the genre would become later in the next 10-15 years. December is the best track.
Never heard of these before, was fine but didn't inspire me really. It starts off well - the opening track is a good, but not electric opener (it lacks a bit of pace and energy), but it doesn't really accelerate from there. My favourite track - and the only one I'll save to listen to again - is the closer, which is a guitar-led instrumental that works really well. Feels a bit harsh to give them a 2, given they're quite early proponents of this type of music that I generally quite like, but what came later really improved on this, so 2 it is.
I've listened to this album a few times and thought it seems like it's right up my alley, it's never connected. There no song on it but The Concept that stays with me,. Still, there's a lot that broke through today even though I wasn't giving it my full attention. This is a bit of indie college rock that keeps growing on me.
Sounds like Big Star if they had slightly fuzzier guitars and perhaps 10% less inspiration. But guess what? I love Big Star, so I was always going to love this hazy, baggy power-pop melange.
Catching up, not only on the week but also the past however many decades I’ve gone without ever really listening to Teenage Fanclub. And I liked it! I also haven’t done my due diligence with Big Star, so the comp that I kept thinking of was the Lemonheads. Not so much that they sound like ‘em, but if they had gone on tour together in 1994 that would have made a lot of sense in my brain and would have also been a show I would’ve enjoyed. It feels like there’s a fair amount of meandering between the songs with discernible choruses, but otherwise good stuff. I’d maybe go 3.5 if I could, but I can’t so enjoy the no half-star bump, ya damn teenagers.
Мне сложно сказать что-то об этом альбоме. Буду переслушивать. Гитарная музыка классная: веселая и активная. Есть несколько классных хитов, к которым я вернусь. Но, честно говоря, я не понял эту музыку.
I didn't really love this album but I think it has promise as something that would grow on me with more listens. I'm sure the nostalgia element is strong for those that listened as teenagers. I can hear a similarity to a 'local' band I love called Sloan. I absolutely cherish their first real release Smeared which came out in 1992 - I actually have a vinyl copy signed by the whole band which Rob helped me acquire! To the un-initiated first-time listener would there be anything more special or ‘better’ about Smeared (or Twice Removed etc) over this Teenage Fanclub record? That’s a hard question for me to answer personally. I’m so close to that Sloan music… it’s hard to disassociate enough to imagine a world where I listened to it for the first time as an adult. And def Smeared is not on this list (though it might be on my personal list haha) so 3 stars it is - maybe i'll come across this again some day and reconsider.
This was good, not great. Definitely not 1991 album of the year.
This is like an "uncanny valley" for my ears. This sounds very 90s. I generally like 90s music. This even sounds like music I like but I do not like this at all.
I liked this a lot. It gave me Lemonhead vibes.
This is good, and perhaps one didn't appreciate its quality and (relative) diversity in '91. Best song is last song (if not a "tearjerker" [per editors] exactly). "Star Sign" best of the hits; one always found "The Concept" a touch annoying, and three decades hasn't changed that first impression. Songs from NB is, from top to bottom, a stronger record, largely because it's a more soulful, record.
it took me 3 attempts to get through this album not because it was bad, but because it was largely forgettable. it sounded like something that would be playing in the background of a grimy coffee shop run by cranky gen x'ers in a B or C list US US city (you know, where they have multiple cold brew and gastropub options but probably not matcha or someone who you can pay to administer legal psychedelics) i found myself enjoying the two songs spotify auto played (by Sebadoh and The Clean) after the album and im not sure if it was because it was better (bc they were both similar...) or just different enough to catch my attention. If you're into elliott smith and weezer you'll probably like it.
Always great to hear Scottish bands!
This sounds like an evolution of 50s rockabilly music. Kind of like how kpop sounds like what boy/girl bands from the 90s would if they hadn't died out in Western music. This sounds like what I imagine 50s rockabilly would sound like in the 90s if the genre hadn't died out. Though, I can say as a 90s kid, I've literally never heard of this group, album, and recognized none of the songs. Also, Spin magazine must be run by the same folks who voted for Jethro Tull.
Good, but bland. Hard to believe anyone could put this ahead of Nevermind
The Concept was my introduction to Teenage Fanclub and after loving the song I've been a big fan ever since. Some of the best Big Star-inspired music I've heard in a while on their third album, they turn in a near-perfect mix of alt-rock, power-pop with crunching guitars, catchy melodies and memorable songs. I would rank 1995's, Grand Prix as their best (and personal favourite) album, but the signature sound of the band was really taking shape starting with Bandwagonesque and you can't deny it's impact on early 90's indie rock.
Sounding like a cross between late eighties post punk and the impending alternative rock revolution that was just ahead. Teenage Fanclub are unique in their songwriting and actual riffs that it doesn’t sound like anyone else.
Yes, that might be the worst album on this list so far! Other bad albums were very experimental and went over my head a little, or were in a genre I don't enjoy at all, whereas "Bandwagonesque" doesn't take any chances, it's a safe, traditional soft rock and somehow it's the most boring record I have ever heard. It's so bland that I don't have anything else to add. It's just a no from me.
Favorites were "Guiding Star" and "Is This Music?"
90s alternative nostalgia, but absent the initial popularity
It wasn’t bad, but it got a bit repetitive and faded into the background.
noise pop. ¡Qué bonito sonido!
Don't remember hearing about this group in the 90's, but I don't think I would have been into them then. Definitely not into it now. Just not much going on to hold my interest.
So, this is fine. It's just ok. I read about this album and it beat Nevermind as best album of 1991 in Spin magazine. Wtf. That makes me wanna rate it lower. 2.49/5
I feel like there’s a reality where this is what caused the alt rock boom in 91 instead of Nirvana, and rather than grunge, Dinosaur Jr-esq shred became the sound of the decade. That could have been cool. B
Love Teenage Fanclub. This is a great album, but not one of their best. Still a classic. 4.5/5
Interesting little album. Nothing that blew my mind but was fun to listen to. The album cover also reminds me of really shitty MS paint drawing.
If you’re familiar with Sloan, Teenage Fanclub is like 1990’s Sloan, but Scottish. Great sound, great riffs, great harmonies. All sprinkled with that ethereal, melancholy 90’s flavour.
I’ve never heard of Teenage Fanclub before. I’m also quite unsure what to make of that album art. It’s definitely minimal-esque. It also doesn’t really give any clues as to what music lies in wait for me today. I hope it’s good, but that album art doesn’t exactly leave me hopeful. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: The Concept, Star Sign, Metal Baby, Is This Music? Holy guacamole, this truly rocked my socks straight off. This feels like it is aimed exactly at my taste in music. It’s 90’s alt-rock, distorted guitars, apathetic singing. It’s really hard to go wrong for me here, and Teenage Fanclub goes so very right. After the album finished, my only disappointment was that I wanted more as I didn’t want it to be over yet! This is a definite stand out new discovery to be added to my playlists. I loved this to the moon and back.