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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Foxbase Alpha

Saint Etienne

1991

Buy At Rough Trade
Foxbase Alpha
Album Summary

Foxbase Alpha is the debut studio album by English band Saint Etienne, released on 16 September 1991 by Heavenly Recordings.The album was recorded in a style which drew on the club culture and house music of the time, but also incorporates the group's characteristic love of 1960s pop, with tracks also bridged by samples from films or by short songs. At the time of recording, Sarah Cracknell was not fully part of the group, and as a result she does not sing on "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", which is sung by Moira Lambert. Foxbase Alpha was on the short list of nominees for the 1992 Mercury Prize. It was accompanied by several successful singles, including "Nothing Can Stop Us". The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Wikipedia

Rating

2.96

Votes

13039

Genres

  • Pop
  • Electronica
  • Indie

Reviews

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Mar 08 2021
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2

This album was ok. Do I think that it is one of the 1001 albums that I must listen to before I died? No. It was an ok album.

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Nov 17 2022
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5

I absolutely adore this album. Such a cool mix of 60s pop with trip hop and dub influences. The Neil Young cover is next level too.

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Nov 03 2022
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5

The beginning of my love affair with Saint Etienne. A band that encompasses London and my years living there. House & club culture meets the sixties delivering epic coolness. This band make me happy every time I listen to them.

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Aug 17 2022
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5

Love it! So quirky, joyful and upbeat, such intelligent use of the most obscure samples.

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Aug 04 2022
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5

Classic UK electronic pop album from the early nineties just like Screamadelica (1991) or The White Room (1992) or Blue Lines (1991) or Morning Dove White (1993). Has Saint Etienne ever made a bad album? (Tiger Bay should be on the list as well, and last year's I've Been Trying To Tell You was one of the best albums from 2022.) 5*, some favourite songs: She's The One and Like A Swallow. Apparently "Dazzle Ships" was a big inspiration for the album, but as always there are plenty of other music references as well (after all, Bob Stanley's "Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop" (2013) is one of the best books about popular music ever).

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Jan 29 2021
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5

Felt like a mix of Massive Attack and Cocteau Twins. So basically I'm in love. Good to drive to btw.

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Nov 05 2020
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5

Sarah Cracknell, Pete Wiggs and Bob Stanley. What a legendary trio and everything they've ever touched is brilliant. This might be my favourite Saint Etienne album. Think it's been 4 years now since i saw them in Leamington doing their Foxbase Alpha tour. What a brilliant concert. Played this album from start to finish. It has the perfect balance of different genres. There's a bit of trip hop, dub, "britpop" (before it existed as a term) and electronic/dance/house. Also, it's got the best cover ever; Only love can break your heart. Fun fact: the girl featured on the album cover (not a part of the band) can also be seen in Pulps video for their song Babies. Oh, and if you haven't already, check out at least these albums by this very same band: So Tough, Sound Of Water, Tiger Bay and Good Humor.

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Jan 13 2023
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5

Not something I'd ever heard of before, but I love it. Was hooked from the first track. Adding this into my driving and work rotation for when I need something chilled. Exactly the reason I love this generator as I would never have heard this normally. 5*

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Dec 01 2021
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4

Starting your album off with a cover? bold choice. Though its so transformational that its a nice setup for the rest of the album. Girl VII is infectious. I like Nothing Can Stop Us. Kiss And Make Up is fun as well.

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Nov 11 2022
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4

Fun, fun, fun. They don’t make ‘em like this any more. Mainly because it’s not worth the hassle of clearing that many samples these days. I really like the juggling of pop sophistication with other, more down-home, pop culture references. An excellent pop album. Only ‘Swallow’, which seemed to really go against the prevailing mood and was a little jarring to these ears in context, stopped this being a full 5 stars.

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Jul 13 2022
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4

Well I am very impressed by this. Having heard this, I wonder why dub indie wasn't a bigger subgenre. The bassy, echoey production against Sarah Cracknell's none more Felt Records voice is a lovely contrast (and one I didn't think happened until the late 90s). It also zips past faster than its 50 minutes would suggest. Like a dubby bubble bath.

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Jun 16 2021
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4

Loved this, a enjoyable mix of ambience and almost dancy eletronica. Quite alternative too. Would listen again!

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May 08 2021
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3

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Girl VII, Spring, Kiss and Make Up Cutting Edge: Carnt Sleep, People Get Real Overall Notes: Not at all what I expected based on the album cover and the reputation this album has. Was expecting some kind of twee pop stuff but it was actually some decent dance music instead. Don't understand the polarizing reviews of this album compared to something like Screamadelica getting rave reviews. I know it came after but I liked this one more. The first half was on a strong four trajectory, but it lost steam as it went along. Cut like 3 or 4 songs and it's a 4.

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May 20 2021
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2

This is just so entirely not my cup of tea. The English are so fucking hit or miss, nothing in between. Just so stupidly precious and unnecessary. 2 stars because it's more tolerable than Anthrax.

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Sep 07 2023
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5

Can I have one of these, one of these, and two of those please. Come on auntie we'll miss the bus! I forgot the two long (mostly) instrumentals on here that sort of don't belong but also kind of do. Like the Swallow turns into MBV almost. Album as a whole is not what I think of when I think St Etienne but it's kind of better for it, and shows they didn't just make fantastic cheesy pop like You're in a Bad Way or He's on the Phone. Nothing Can Stop Us Now fulfils that here, and is right up there with their best. Pleased to note that Spotify have only partially carried out Neil's writ. Makes me want to go listen to So Tough and Good Humor. Did in fact stick So Tough on straight afterwards, classic two sides of a C90. I wonder which two songs I dropped to fit them on?

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Mar 27 2024
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4

I gotta say, Foxbase Alpha was a pretty darn good album. The songs all had their own uniqueness to them and fit different moods like groovy, relaxing, somber and all of that stuff while still feeling like they fit well together. The voices of the two female vocalists also work well with the songs too (if you don't know, Sarah Cracknell did not sing \"Only Love Can Break Your Heart\" which was sang by Moira Lambert). Its a good album and is definitely worth listening to. Best Song: Spring Worst Song: Wilson

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Sep 25 2023
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4

I’m sympathetic to Bob Stanley et al’s aesthetic values, as well (especially) as their dedication to marry those aesthetics with Head Boppin’ Dance Beats. Of course the Denniz PoP-style Scandi-reggae rewire of Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” (and especially its lengthier, dubbier remix by Andrew Weatherall) is an all-timer. Kind by its own admission it seems like a record that’d be great for springtime, although unfortunately it isn’t springtime at the time of this writing. (Comparable rain and humidity though!)

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Sep 20 2023
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4

Such an easy, fun listen. Interesting samples, lovely vocals, funky beats. This the sorta shit I love cooking dinner to, dunno why but it makes me wanna chop and fry. Fav Track: Spring Straight 4/5

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Jul 01 2023
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4

Lol, I went from listening to Black Flag yesterday to this. Sarah Cracknell is one of my all-time crushes so I can't help but love this. It conjures up hot Summer holidays by the seaside. It's so airy and dreamy. Perfect pop.

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Jun 23 2023
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4

From the looks of things, Foxbase Alpha may have been seen as a twee 60s pastiche that was picking off whatever meat was left from the carcass. How the music contained inside this record proved that to be completely wrong. Saint Etienne used what was around the sphere of 90s counterculture and fused it into a palatable and at times surprising collage of downtempo covers and euphoric performances. Sometimes it is best to judge a book by its cover, one doesn't know what lies within. Favorites: Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Carnt Sleep, Spring, She's the One, People Get Real, Stoned to Say the Least, Nothing Can Stop Us, London Belongs to Me, Kiss and Make Up.

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Jun 16 2023
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4

A classic evergreen of soft rave. Somehow exactly describing the vibe of the time it emerged from. Somehow timeless. Some Songs are stronger than others but still the melancholic ambience resides very luxuriously in this lush synthpop realm surrounded by thick, reverby bass lines. Strong 4.3

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Sep 15 2022
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4

"Foxbase Alpha" is the debut album from the English band Saint Etienne although their name was taken from the French football team AS Saint-Étienne. Their style of music is described as a combination of club culture and house music with 1960's pop. That's fair enough. I also heard elements of trip hop, straight-forward pop and similarities in certain songs to bands such as New Order, Everything But The Girl and Spandau Ballet. The band cited OMD's "Dazzle Ship" as a major influence. The band consists of Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs both on the synthesizers and other instruments and Sarah Cracknell who would eventually become a full-time band member and vocalist during the recording. This is a pretty good album and at times great. One of its strengths was kind of changing tempos and beats over the album length. I think if the music would have stayed with same beat it would have gotten quite boring. It was on the short list for the 1982 UK Mercury Prize for best album. The album begins with a TV or radio show or movie dialogue in French and the song "This is Radio Etienne." This leads into their cover of Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart." An interesting cover choice but it works. They changed the time to 4/4 (more fast paced) from the orginal Waltz and also the chord progression. It is defintely more poppy. A driving piano and Moira Lambert was the lead singer, not Sarah Cracknell at this point. A first -half album highlight is "Girl VII" with its bongos and other percussion. The first heavier dance-oriented song on the album. Sarah Cracknell's vocals give it a dreamy atmosphere which is common on a lot of these songs. I Iiked the album second half better than the first. "People Get Real" reminded me a lot of New Order. A nice pop song and melody. A softer dance beat. "Nothing Can Stop Us" was the third album single and is the most soulful song on the album. It also has a great groove and is a happy sounding song. It samples Dusty Springfield's "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face." "Kiss and Make Up" was the second single. Another cover...this time of a Field Mice song. I guess piano-driven house music is an apt description. A weird synth start. A great dance-pop beat. Cracknell's sultry vocals. Probably my favorite song on the album. Saint Etienne was much bigger in the UK than the US. I had not heard them much. I enjoyed this album and will give some of their other albums a listen. I liked their variety kind of within their own style and their musical influences are bands that I am a fan of.

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Sep 08 2021
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4

Cool beats and samples make for a chill listen to work or relax to. Some euro club vibes at times mixed with light pop lyrics. Only love can beak your heart, Spring, people get real. 3.5

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Aug 22 2021
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4

Loved this! Well outside the sort of thing I would have searched for and that’s why I love this generator! Really cool, laid back chilled tunes! Definitely to be bought! I’ll recommend to everyone and they’ll get even sicker of me than normal but it’s only fair! Tremendous album!

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Jul 24 2021
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4

What a fun mix of electronic and house with r&b singing and pop structures. I abs love the vibe the album brings. Very underrated pop album from the UK props. 8/10

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Jun 16 2021
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4

Never heard of these before but right up my street. Loved the ambient tracks, and the soundbites they drop in, not quite a 5, maybe a 4.5

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Apr 03 2024
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3

Their cover of Only Love Can Break Your Heart remains one of my favorite songs of all time. The rest of the album feels like 90's dance schlock.

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Mar 18 2024
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3

An interesting LP for sure, clearly irreverent in one hand but focused on groove in the other. I liked the French avant-garde approach here, an assemblage of beats and samples leading into the tracks and making this feel like a found footage reel. Not sure the overall effect works musically given how disjointed some tracks and transitions feel, but I was happy to see where things went on this decidedly French approach to music.

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Jan 18 2021
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3

While I do like dance rock, synthpunk and electronic music in general, I've never gotten into house or trance music. I certainly enjoyed the vibe on a few songs but a lot of times it got a little too club for me. It wasn't unlistenable techno thumping though so I can appreciate their "club, without going too hard" sensibilities. I do enjoy a band finding success going against the grain though. Especially because I'm not a huge fan of the 90s Britpop scene. So way to stick it to them Saint Etienne.

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Oct 06 2020
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3

90s synth + 60s pop = this album. Atmospheric feel that is mostly pleasant and sometimes jarring. Inoffensive and safe. Best track: People Get Real.

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Nov 18 2024
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2

WOuLd yOu liKe sOMe SweEtS WiLLy?

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Jun 07 2024
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2

It's fine. I think it's time someone told Robert Dimery the definition of the word "need".

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Apr 04 2024
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2

I went into this record fully aware that "acid-house" music is not a genre I listen to. But I tried to have an open mind :( But... Do I actually have to be on acid to enjoy some of these tracks? The second song, repeating "Would you like some sweets willy" is the most obnoxious god damn thing I've ever heard. I'm happy to hear some of the other songs rely on some singing and some actual MUSIC beyond the same sample over and over again. But again and again it happens where it's just the same shitty sample replayed ad nauseum. This will never be for me.

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Jul 26 2021
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2

Music for student bedwetters- hot singer with not so hot tunes. Every time I thought it was getting better something rubbish would come along. Not irredeemable but will never be back. 1991 - what a year for music

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Nov 11 2024
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5

What a surprise! It was so good! This album is awesome!

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Oct 09 2024
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5

my first impression of this band is that they have a very interesting composition and that sarah cracknell has a beautiful voice. while some songs, such as wilson, weren’t my jam, i found the way layering they vocals and instruments, yet still keep the music sounding simple and calm very interesting. honestly reminded me of something they’d play in that cool underground bar that my dad takes me to. loved this album.

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Aug 21 2024
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5

65 degrees in NYC with the windows open and a cold brew, this is album couldn't sound better than it does right now

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Jun 26 2024
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5

Absolutely amazing phenomenal i love this so much. Psychadellic chilllll realness

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Jun 06 2024
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5

Hey!!! I never thought I'd see St. Etienne on here! This is a treat! First album I had of these guys was Tiger Bay 1994. Pretty sure I got it at Rockin Rudy's or from Columbia House. I don't think I've listened to this whole album. But I have heard at least one song from it. Man her voice is so pretty. I've really liked this so far. It's light and airy. St. Etienne holds a special place in my heart so 5 stars

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May 24 2024
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5

Wow.... This hit me like a truck, talk about good timing. Had no idea bout any of this band and music, but I'm hooked. Transportative and stimulating in all the ways. I will be re-visiting this artist and album for sure

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Feb 16 2024
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5

Det her er virkelig lækkert, specielt "I carnt sleep", "Girl VII"

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Dec 31 2023
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5

I loved it, never heard it before at all. Just fantastic, absolutely will circle back in this again.

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Dec 28 2023
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5

It is a very interesting album actually.

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Nov 07 2023
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5

St etienne are one of those bands i never got round to actually listening to so this is the impetus to go and do that as this is pretty bloody good.

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Sep 14 2023
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5

Hört bara lite sporadiskt tidigare. Många vassa spår.

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Aug 01 2023
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5

This is short, but brilliant. I'd not have guessed that this would have gone back as far as 1991 - it's doing things that I'd assumed would have been a few years (at least) later, and it does them well. Top notch.

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Dec 12 2022
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5

really enjoyed this - didnt think I would but right up my alley

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Nov 02 2022
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5

I didn't know this group and I really enjoyed it.

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Oct 20 2022
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5

A fun sexy time. New contender for “just play it on loop”

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Jul 11 2022
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5

The 2k French triphop sound this album has is soooo dope. I live for "Kiss and Make Up". Gonna make that my alarm for a while, actually ;3;

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Mar 20 2022
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5

Normally music from this era sounds to me like it is missing soemthing, but this was qctually great. Fun beats, just the right track length, interesting all the way through

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Jan 19 2022
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5

Where have you been all my life? Music to soothe the savage beast.

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Nov 12 2021
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5

Way better than expected. Great production, lots of color.

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Aug 05 2021
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5

What a treat. I have to admit I was a fan, mostly stemming from this, their best album. Just a bunch of well-worn, perfect vibes.

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Mar 10 2021
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5

Me gustó bastante. La combinación del house con influencias del pop retro resulta tanto etérea como fácilmente consumible. Un disco conciliador entre los sonidos mainstream de épocas pasadas y la integración de los sonidos populares en la EDM noventera del rave. Tiene un buen balance entre las composiciones minimalistas y algunas más robustas con vocales incluso. Disfruté sobre todo la ondita techno-house de Stoned to say the Least y la vibra etérea de cualquier pop indie posterior a los 2000 meets 80s Madonna en Girl VII. Mood: Un día de buen humor y parsimonia.

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Mar 10 2021
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5

Muy bonito álbum, siento que desde que empezó la primera canción, tras el intro radiofónico, supe que esto era para mí. No conocía a Saint Etienne o al menos no consciente y este es un disco debut buenazo. También suena mucho a los 90 y de repente es ternura, de repente es etéreo, de repente es tranquilizante. Eso de poner canciones instrumentales por ahí intercaladas es un recurso que me gusta y "Stoned to Say the Least" me gustó, si bien creo que se descoloca un poco respecto al resto. Canciones fav: "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", "Wilson", "Girl VII", "Nothing Can Stop Us" y "Kiss and Make Up" <3. 9.5/10

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Dec 09 2024
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4

General impression: now this is some good pop. Detailed review: This strikes me as landing somewhere between Beck and Air. It’s mostly breezy dance-pop, with a sort of minimalist bent, and samples of dialogue and spoken-word adding to a collage-like feel. It’s right up my alley for pop, and I’m definitely interested in diving into their whole discography. Also, it’s really cool that I got this album assigned just a few days before they release a new album. Deeper thoughts (context): They must be underrated. In my world, they’d have become a bigger influence on other musicians. Score: 4.3 Number of albums left to review: 930 Number of albums from the list I’d consider “must-listens”: 42 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 29

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Dec 09 2024
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4

Nice breezy indie clubland listen that has two absolutely groovalicious choice cuts with the acid house cover of Only Love Can Break Your Heart and the resplendent pop euphoria of Nothing Can Stop Us Now. Plus also some more slender beautiful highlights with Spring and London Belongs To Me Now and the female vocals throughout the album tend to be pretty delish. It’s a bit fragmented by frequent TV and movie snippets as well as sudden bursts of ambient and the weaker tracks do feel a little too random and sketchy. Either a strong 3.5 or a low 4.0.

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Nov 27 2024
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4

Not really my type of music, but i enjoyed the album!

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Nov 27 2024
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4

Light, dreamy, well-crafted album somewhere on the edge between dance and indie pop. Not what I would naturally seek out, but a great piece of work. Best song: Nothing Can Stop Us

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Nov 26 2024
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4

Listened Before? N This took several songs to grow on me, but in the end I really enjoyed it enough to go back and revisit a few songs immediately. Feels very 90s, and that's a very good thing. Trip-hop is what they called this style I think and it's pretty groovy. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: She's the One, Only Love Can Break Your Heart

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Nov 24 2024
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4

So many vibes on this project, I’m not sure how I feel about it. But it captured my attention enough to keep me listening for an hour so I’m thinking that’s positive. Definitely will have to run this one back because I’m truly perplexed by it.

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Nov 18 2024
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4

genre tags on rym look very me-core it is very me-core. excellent blend old pop and breakbeats / house. i really like this album. Like a less french dots and loops by stereolab (idk what that means it just reminds me of that album for whatever reason)

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Nov 13 2024
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4

Sweet indie pop classic. That Neil Young cover though.

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Nov 09 2024
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4

A fun listen, best song comes right at the start which is always a little annoying though.

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Oct 13 2024
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4

This was interesting and will listen again with a sober head

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Oct 03 2024
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4

I like this better now. The hits still hit. 4/5

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Oct 02 2024
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4

Interesting, different French nostalgia vibe

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Sep 23 2024
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4

Easy listening Indie Pop with a faible for the 60's.

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Sep 21 2024
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4

4 stars just cause the second track is so fuckin bangin

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Sep 18 2024
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4

nice background music for when you go on a walk in the woods when it’s sunny

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Sep 12 2024
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4

Thought they would be French, very English, I liked the sort of early house electronic vibes, thought it was very chill and nice easy listening

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Sep 09 2024
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4

So quirky, joyful and upbeat, such intelligent use of the most obscure samples.

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Sep 05 2024
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4

20240905 Saint Etienne – Foxbase Alpha 3.5/5 Now this is an “old sounding” album that I can get around (knowing that it is a 90’s album, but it has aged quite a bit). This electro pop album sounds exactly like its time, similar to other artists like Portishead or Massive Attack; and on the trend of sample-driven music, probably influencing other bands like The Avalanches. I’m a big fan of these musicians, so that is a big start for liking Saint Etienne’s record. Despite its aged production and other flaws like too long songs, I have enjoyed it quite a bit. Favourite songs: Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Spring, She's the One. Least favourite songs: Carnt Sleep, Stoned to Say the Least, Like the Swallow.

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Sep 04 2024
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4

Easy listen electronica. Experimental at times. Some of the tracks I would have preferred as instrumental even though her voice is pleasant.

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Sep 01 2024
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4

Very different! Really enjoyed this one.

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Aug 18 2024
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4

Enjoyed more than I expected to, elements of Brit pop and trip hop throughout this one. Fun

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Aug 16 2024
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4

Only Love Can Save Your Heart is a great cover.

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Aug 16 2024
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4

I really enjoyed the ambient sound of this album. I feel like I could hear the first inklings of the tropes and techniques that are fundamental to later genres like lo-fi and hauntology

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