Mar 10 2022
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1
I am 1/3 of the way through this list. There has been no Pearl Jam, no Snoop Dogg, no Alice in Chains, no Soundgarden, no Stone Temple Pilots, no Tool and yet I have to stomach third-tier BritPop garbage that sounds like Blur on clonazepam? No, man, no.
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May 19 2021
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4
- I really liked the Auteurs. Am I gay?
- Yes, but for other reasons.
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Jun 29 2023
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2
Not cool enough to be pixies.
Not bare enough to be pavement.
Just a bit drab.
Like a quite good high school band.
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Jan 24 2021
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4
Gotta be honest. I had never heard of this album or this band.
This is a great album.
It sounds like if Oasis had the creative sensibilities of Stephen Malkmus. Gritty, somewhat dark 90’s alt/brit rock. Good stuff.
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Jun 14 2021
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3
This was fine. It was okay. It'll do. Like how Chole described Franz Ferdinand as 'landfill indie', this is 'landfill 90s alt-rock'
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Apr 28 2021
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3
On the first listen, I really didn't like most of the LP. I liked the first track but then they lost me for a while but I also liked the last three tunes. This was somewhat bizarre since the Spotify numbers show that nobody ever listens to (read likes) those last three tracks. I thought I should listen to it again and the second time through most of the songs from the dreaded middle section of the LP were OK. It kinda grew on me -kinda the way you start liking the jingle in a McDonald's commercial. Perhaps I was thrown by the name "New Wave" and was expecting something else.
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Mar 15 2024
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1
Top 5 alternative and indie rock records from 1993 which are excluded from this list that you should listen to instead of this album:
1. Yo La Tengo - Painful
2. Stereolab - Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements
3. Archers of Loaf - Icky Mettle
4. Guided By Voices - Vampire on Titus
5. Dinosaur Jr - Where You Been?
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Jul 25 2024
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3
I've had enough britpop for one lifetime tysm
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Jan 23 2021
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4
I don’t know... it was okay. But I feel like I’ve heard that record a thousand times before from other bands.
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Jun 14 2021
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4
In spite of arriving amid the Britpop boom of the early-mid 90s, this record has the feel of a lost classic. I can imagine how this might get lumped into that category at a superficial level, but the details and approach make me feel like those associations are more a coincidence of when this was released than an indication this was part of a scene. I'm hearing some Robyn Hitchcock in the melodic instincts, intricate arrangement, and sneering vocals. Nice variety between the more acoustic and fuzzy numbers on this one. Overall, I really enjoyed this introduction to a new (to me) artist.
Favourite songs: "Don't Trust the Stars", "Valet Parking", and "Show Girl"
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Aug 16 2024
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3
Similar to how I feel about vapor air when it touches my skin, it's pleasant but fades all too quickly.
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Sep 27 2023
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1
The epitome of bland. It kind of felt like eating a plain, unsalted cracker.
And can you imagine giving yourself this name? Ugh.
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Feb 01 2024
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1
If you like the beatles but shittier in every way this album is for you.
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Sep 15 2020
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5
Woaaah, what a gem this was.
Never heard of them previously, but this is some brilliant stuff.
Not far off from bands like Suede, and more specifically the album Dog Man Star.
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Apr 06 2022
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5
This is a great discovery. It's an interesting varied album. Vocally it's quite mellow and reminds me of The Monkees contrasted with some power pop (love the guitar sound). Some of the songs are quite moody ('Show Girl', Bailed Out') whereas others have a whimsical late sixties baroque-pop feel ('Junk Shop Clothes', 'Starstruck', 'Housebreaker', 'Valet Parking') with some musical colour from instruments like harpsichord, strings, celeste, piano, mouth harp. Others like 'How Can I Be Strong' have a heavier psychedelic edge. The lyrics are probably the weakest element but there's some nice melodies and arrangements to compensate. It's a bit of a quirky left field album ("critics favorite") and quite tellingly I was the only one in my group to give it a high rating. All in all, this is a very enjoyable album to play on spring afternoon, so I will definitely play it again when the weather is nicer than today!
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Jan 26 2024
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5
Brilliant proto-britpop, which I would have adored at the time if I had been a year or two older. Not quite sure why they didn't kick on from there, as this is better than anything Blur or Oasis were doing at the same time. But they didn't build on it, and by the time I was buying music papers each week, Luke had become a bit of a lost hero and/or a bit of a punchline whenever someone was getting (over-)excited about a new band.
Tl;Dr - a great (lost?) album from the start of a genre that means a lot to me. Sounds like Suede, Nirvana and Blur fell in a melting pot - in a good way.
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Sep 14 2024
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5
Dynamically inventive, dark prototype of Britpop - and I love it. A perfect blend of catchy pop melodies and a wide variety of sounds (glockenspiel anyone?).
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Sep 26 2024
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5
I love this album but I can see why others might not. It’s eccentric and peculiarly British. The lyrics are intelligent, biting, sarcastic and witty. Luke Haines is a national treasure. He rubbed up people the wrong way, refused to play the game, and was, presumably, ostracised for it. He had success, although perhaps not the recognition he deserved. His book is a riot, as is his twitter feed. This album is one of his best and is a forgotten 90s classic
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Mar 29 2021
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4
Very good album, a little surprised at how much I liked it. Took me a couple listens to fully appreciate the album but glad I spent a little more time on it, definitely worth it
Saved: Show Girl, How Could I Be Wrong, Idiot Brother
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Aug 23 2024
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4
I heard 'Showgirl' on The Chart Show (remember that?) At the time, my natural music buying habitat was Woolworths. To be fair, they did usually carry the top 100 albums. New Wave was not, and so they did not. Neither did Our Price. (There were two on Wood Green High St. I never quite understood why. But that's not the point. Imagine two record shops on a suburban high street.)
Back then, discovering new music involved (1) listening to the radio, (2) hanging round the record shops on Berwick Street and being nice to the chaps (they were always chaps) behind the counter if you heard something nice, (3) reading a review in the NME or Q, liking what was promised and buying (metaphorically) sight unseen.
A few years later, Virgin on Piccadilly Circus put in a load of digital listening stations. You scanned the barcode and got 30 seconds of each song on the album, (from 15 to 45 seconds in). I used to spend hours there.
I don't really have any truck with the people complaining about Spotify ruining their music discovery vibe. I guess it is true, up to a point, but then you can listen to virtually anything you want on Spotify, your choice absolutely. All you need to do is to cough up a tenner a month and follow your own instincts.
In any case, gatekeepers have, and will always exist. The nice thing about living in a democracy is that one has no obligation to pay them the slightest bit of attention.
There is so much fucking great music out there, beginning to be listened to. Do the final mile and seek it out, at least occasionally.
Oh. New Wave. Found the CD second hand in a charity shop in 1995, I think. I was a bit disappointed by the time – the actuality did not live up to the mythology I'd built up in my head. But I kept it, and I listen to it every now and again, and the thought of going out hunting for it (and discovering a few other unexpected pleasures along the way) still makes me smile. And now, older and a little bit wiser, I think I can say that it isn't half bad.
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Oct 15 2024
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4
It's easy to see why a certain British music magazine lumped in The Auteurs with an emergent scene back in the early 90s, for on New Wave they exemplify the kind of intelligent, not overtly referential compositions that was a tad bit lacking in British rock. The Auteurs, as time would go on, would only get a little more fascinating after this.
Favorites: Show Girl, American Guitars, Don't Trust the Stars, Starstruck, How Could I Be Wrong, Idiot Brother, Home Again.
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Oct 18 2024
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4
Hidden gem! I’d never heard of this, prepared myself for the worst, and then found myself playing it on repeat. Will I remember it exists in a month? Not too sure.
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Aug 18 2024
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3
Solid album with some great songwriting that recalls bands like The Smiths.
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May 03 2023
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2
Somehow I've managed to not know about this band but half way through the first song I'm loving it... although I've definitely heard this song before. I'm hearing Blur pretty strongly in here. Looking at it, it's the same year as Modern Life, makes sense.
Problem is the album quickly settles into Britpop mediocrity. It's OK but it feels quite by-the-numbers. I was looking forward to later tracks because other reviews called up some of those as great tracks but they didn't break through the tedium to me. By the end of the album I just wanted it to be over. Yawn!
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Jul 24 2024
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2
Not nearly enough synth or fun to call itself new wave
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Aug 01 2024
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2
Boring
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Aug 19 2024
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2
A little like Belle and Sebastian, but not as good.
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Aug 20 2024
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2
Uneventful, forgettable, in fact, I can barely remember it a day later.
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Dec 21 2023
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1
WHO MADE THIS LIST
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Jul 01 2024
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1
Forgettable
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Oct 26 2020
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5
Enjoyed.
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Jan 29 2021
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5
I loved their sound! Reminded me of the Kooks. I will return to this album again in the future.
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Feb 15 2021
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5
Lowkey great vibes. Big fan of the Beatles-vocals.
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May 04 2021
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5
Absolutely loved it, every song is great. Also, the singer's voice sounds familiar, even though I have never heard anything from the band
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Jun 23 2021
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5
Never heard of this band but they are a new favorite. Death Cabbish but slightly grungier.
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Nov 19 2021
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5
"How Could I Be Wrong" came in and slapped me in the face for some reason. The whole album was really great. I didn't want to stop listening. I think this type of music is one of my favorite sounds of this project, to be honest.
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Sep 12 2022
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5
Awesome! Love the first track
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Sep 25 2022
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5
Tästä oli tosi helppo tykätä.
Soittolistalle päätyivät ainakin Bailed Out, Junk Shop Clothes, Starstruck, How Could I Be Wrong ja Housebreaker.
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Dec 23 2022
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5
This was amazing - never heard of the auteurs, but such a fun variety of upbeat rockin melodies.
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Mar 17 2023
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5
Loved this album.
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Apr 07 2023
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5
Great 90s rock album
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Jul 11 2023
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5
9/10
incredibly fun
I love the way it almost feels like alt-rock with its mixing and bass-heavy feel
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Aug 22 2023
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5
A band I never picked up on in the 90's so these were my first time listening to them.
At my first listen, I really thought after the first two songs (and especially "Bailed Out") I found a new favourite band, but after that the album dropped off.
Listening to this album a few more times and also the songs further up in the album started to shine, like "Idiot Brother" and "How Could I Be Wrong."
Now after my 5th listen I can see how this would be classed as a 'forgotten masterpiece.'
All songs are incredibly well written, superbly melodic - there's not a sound out of place - but there's a lot of rough edges. Or 'spiky' as a friend of mine would call it.
Reading up on it, this debut is apparently not even their best album. I'll be looking into the rest!
4,5*
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Nov 09 2023
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5
I love 90s rock so much, this album did not disappoint!
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Dec 13 2023
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5
LOVED IT SO MUCH.
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Jan 08 2024
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5
omg amazing
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Feb 13 2024
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5
I wish I would have know them in the 90. Great album, going to listen to it again.
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Mar 22 2024
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5
Very Big Star with a Smiths and Britpop edge
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Apr 05 2024
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5
I loved this! Like a cross between David Bowie and Weezer. The power guitars and the toy piano were great. Junk Shop Clothes and Valet Parking lyrics were awesome. I've already listened to the whole album twice.
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Jun 13 2024
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5
I was adding song after song to my "Songs I liked from 1001 Albums" playlist. Eventually it became undeniable - I fucking love this album. Plan to return to it often. Who knows if I'll actually do it, but I really want to, and that's the sign of a great album for me.
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Jun 13 2024
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5
Didn't know them and am happy about this find. Great album.
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Jun 24 2024
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5
This is why I’m doing the challenge: finding artists and albums that are totally new to me that click. This has a bit of a Sunday morning vibe to it that’s nice. Songwriting stands out; and while I hear a bit of George Harrison in the vocals and even the songwriting, it’s not a copy and stands out as unique. Based on this album, I’m looking forward to learning more about this group, for sure.
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Jul 12 2024
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5
I love Luke Haines voice. And knowing he was in Black Box Recording may color this rating in a good way.
I liked it a lot. I'll be coming back
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Aug 21 2024
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5
This one surprised me. I liked almost all the songs. I am probably in the minority for liking all the Britpop on this list. Definitely gonna go through the rest of their stuff to see if it’s as good.
Rating: 4.8
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Sep 04 2024
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5
5/5
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Oct 23 2024
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5
This was a lot of fun to listen to
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Apr 15 2021
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4
This is good... no doubt requiring more intense scrutiny!
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May 19 2021
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4
good stuff
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Mar 17 2021
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4
A perfectly fine album just a genre that's not my usual fav. Good listening music though.
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Jan 26 2021
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4
very lovely Brazzaville vibes 4/5
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Feb 12 2021
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4
AK: enjoyable 90s alt. 4/5
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Feb 18 2021
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4
pleasant, heady britpop
fav track: idiot brother
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Apr 27 2021
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4
Not sure if I ever heard of them before, but it was a pretty good album
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Mar 21 2021
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4
Production: 12/20
Songwriting: 15/20
Innovation: 13/20
Bangers: 10/20
Emotional response: 13/20
=63
I liked it. Low 4.
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Feb 02 2021
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4
1
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May 19 2021
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4
no idea who these guys are, but it sounds fine!
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Jan 21 2021
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4
i wanted to give this a 3 1/2 but as i can’t i’m going to mark it up
to a 4 purely for the instrumentation on the album, some of the melodies and guitar are really lovely, definitely my favourite thing about it.
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Feb 14 2021
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4
Brit pop at its best. Start of the genre in one of best possible ways, better than Blur (but not better than Suede)
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Mar 24 2021
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4
Strajk rokowy nadal trwa i kolejna dosc undergrundowa banda, tym razem wyspiarze, 3 osobowa banda z meskim wokalem i babom na basie, ktorzy jako para byli inicjatotorami powstania zespolu, dodatkowo pojawiaja sie wstawki z dudnienia perkusyjnego i organowego, ale tylko w dwoch trackach od dodatkowych muzykow, wiec granie minimalistyczno instrumentalne, ciezko mi okreslic gatunek tej plyty, bo niby rokowanie, ale jednak budowa piosenek jest dosc popowa, ale lirycznie jest zbyt ambitna na okreslenie tego po prostu popem, wiec cos w stylu rokowania bowiego, czy bolana, bo poza grwolersami i klatkowymi sloniami to wlasnie takie mialem skojarzenia sluchajac albumiku, kawalki ktore na pierwszy rzut oka wygladaja jak typowe milosne songi maja twisty jak w czarnych komediach, przykladem moze byc otwierajacy showgirl czy valet parking, ale wiekszosc kawalkow jest inspirowana dosc prozaicznymi rzeczami jak gitary czy ciucholandy ktore staja sie materialem do poruszania ciezszych tematow, jako ze jest to debiut tej grupy, to tytul new wave jest dosc pasujacy, bo nie czuc ze jest to album z lat 90, wiec wyprzedzil swoje czasy i nie zdobyt zbyt duzej popularnosci nawet na wyspach, ale mialem szczescie odkopac akurat takie zloto, na plejke dodaje show grila, how could I be wrong oraz home again
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Jun 14 2021
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4
I have a hard time understanding how The Auteurs didn't take off in the Brit Pop scene. The have a distinct folkly/chamber pop sound, clever lyrics and a front man that's not afraid to voice his cynical views on British imperialism. It's reminiscent of Ray Davies at the height of his powers, and they even carry a hint of 60's British Invasion in their music. Surprised this one passed under my radar. The production is a little bombastic at times, which dates it, but still enjoyable, as there is a tension between the cutting lyrics and the guitar-driven pop of the time.
Fav Tracks: Don't Trust the Stars and Valet Parking.
Rating: 3.5/5
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Jun 14 2021
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4
I really enjoyed this album. For a band that had not previously been on my radar I was really surprised how good this album is. I would consider this more Alt-pop then Britpop, Britpop seems dated and less inspired than this album. The influences leading up to this album and music that was influenced by this album show the staying power of this music vs the blip on the radar that was Britpop. Good album all around.
Favorite songs: don't trust the stars, Valet Parking, Junk Shop Clothes. 4 stars
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Jul 05 2021
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4
Бля, ну нет ща у меня возможности гонять этот альбом репитом, хотя, возможно, и заслуживает. Вроде неплохой, внятные мотивы, оригинальный инструментал, приятный вокал. Опять же, скорее понимаю, чем ощущаю. В целом, положительное мнение кое-как формировано, хоть и хочется его проверить сомнениями. Но у нас тут тысячеальбомка за три года, нельзя себе такое позволять лишний раз.
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Jun 22 2021
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4
This album was a pleasant surprise. I liked most of the songs (my favourite is Home Again) and could see myself revisiting a lot of these, but there were a few songs that I didn't like. 4/5 stars.
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May 31 2021
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4
Really like this album. Will listen to again. 90s. Good flow. Bit like A Death Cab for Cutie.
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Jun 15 2021
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4
It was fine. A couple interesting tracks.
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May 30 2021
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4
Not a huge fan of the lead singer. Good songs though.
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Jun 19 2021
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4
Good album, underrated artists
3,5/5
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Jun 28 2021
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4
Good album! Definately an example of why I tend to be drawn to British musicians. Though I'd need a couple more listens to give a more detailed description.
The album seems to fit more in with the late 80s alternative period than the new grunge scene in the states.
I feel like I can hear sounds that would influence groups like the Arctic Monkeys a decade later.
Favorite Songs: Early Years
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Sep 09 2021
View Author
4
9/8
3.5/5. Cool grungy album.
Standout Tracks: Starstruck, Valet Parking, Idiot Brother, Home Again
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Nov 26 2021
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4
This is a new album for me. I enjoyed it. Nice rocky sound good guitars fun lyrics
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Dec 03 2021
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4
yet another album i feel i should've enjoyed more than i actually did. i wish i had something to say about it. at one point, a song came on that got my attention; it was by some other artist, because this album had finished and spotify just grabbed whatever and played it, and that's how i knew it was over.
on the other hand, the harmonies can be unexpectedly delicate, the guitar work is surprisingly compelling, and i honestly love homeboy's voice. it's just...somehow, despite all that, this one just kinda missed me. i'm giving it 4 because i feel like the problem this time around was me.
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Dec 06 2021
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4
7/10
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Dec 17 2021
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4
Love this album. As into Britpop as I was, I cannot believe that I've never hear of this album, nor the band. I don't know I can give it a 5 but it's an album I'd come back to over and over.
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Dec 17 2021
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4
Very interesting from a band I had never heard of before. Thought it started out much stronger than it ended, but did enjoy. 4/5
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Dec 24 2021
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4
Rather reminded me of Crowded House, and that's always a good thing.
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Dec 30 2021
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4
Hi- Show Girl, Bailed Out, Starstruck
New Wave opens with a strong trio of songs, Really nice brit-pop, which is right at home in a playlist of Mansun, Blur, Manic Street Preachers, and Oasis. I'll keep this one in my back pocket!
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Jan 09 2022
View Author
4
Beatles like vocals with grunge-lite instrumentals. Was hoping some of the hooks would stay with me though.
Fave tracks : “Don’t trust the stars” “Early Years” “American Guitars”
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Jan 09 2022
View Author
4
Pretty decent. Probably a 3.5, as I liked listening to it but I'm sure I will forget this album. Getting tired of reading reviews of brit-pop albums though.
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Jan 13 2022
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4
I’ve, very chill and enjoyable, I like the production very much
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Jan 21 2022
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4
1993. Show Girl, How Could I Be Wrong
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Dec 30 2021
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4
Hi- Show Girl, Bailed Out, Starstruck
New Wave opens with a strong trio of songs, Really nice brit-pop, which is right at home in a playlist of Mansun, Blur, Manic Street Preachers, and Oasis. I'll keep this one in my back pocket!
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Mar 13 2022
View Author
4
Rock Indie.
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Mar 23 2022
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4
I'd never heard of this group before and really enjoyed the vibe.
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Mar 23 2022
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4
Great to hear this again!
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Mar 25 2022
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4
Liked the whole album through. Simple but interesting.
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Apr 10 2022
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4
This is not new wave
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Apr 10 2022
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4
Great album. I liked it the first time I heard it last year. It just keeps getting better. Interesting sound. I'm glad this album was on this list so I got to know it.
4/5
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Apr 29 2022
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4
I bought this album aged 13. Thought it would make me look edgy and cool and intellectual and all the babes would want a piece as a result. It didn't achieve any of those goals. But it did soundtrack the beginning of years of rejection from the local female-folk. sad times.
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Apr 29 2022
View Author
4
Three stars and a half ? Four stars ?
The Auteurs is a band I've only been vaguely aware of before, and this app gave me the opportunity to delve further into that first record of theirs, *New Wave*. I'm not sure I'm totally sold about it being an *essential* listen, but it's been a pleasant ride nonetheless. Like many other reviewers in here, I think it has a strong start ("Show Girls", that instantly catchy "Bailed Out", and "American Guitars") and a nice end line, between "Early Years" and "Home Again" (which sounds a little like Elvis Costello's "Complicated Shadows", oddly enough). Maybe the middle of the album is too much of a notch under those particular songs, generally speaking. Well, except for that cello-enhanced "How Could I Be Wrong" (in comparison, a track such as "Don't Trust the Stars" is a little too linear and *middle-of-the-road* rock/britpop, for instance). But I'm all too aware those sorts of songs often grow on you as you keep on listening to them, so I'll give those somewhat less striking cuts the benefit of the doubt. I could actually see myself returning to this album, depending on my mood. I also feel like the lyrics make it worth it too--I spotted some very interesting and/or funny lines about quite picturesque scenes, but I have to admit I didn't pay a lot of attention to them this time.
Speaking of other people's comments, I was quite intrigued by the fact that a few reviewers heard a little bit of Arctic Monkeys in The Auteurs' sound. I would have never thought of that by myself. But I have to admit that for certain subtle moments, the comparison made more than a little sense... Luke Haines seems to have a knack for snarls delivered in a laidback fashion. He might not exactly be a Alex Turner, but this particular arrow is maybe not so far off the mark, come to think of it...
As a consequence, this may have a bearing on my own geeky list of 1001 albums. When the time comes for this app to suggest a minor Arctic Monkey album, as it will probably do, (say "Humbug" or "Suck It And See"), I might be inclined to just replace it with this "New Wave" here (and so have a broader scope on British pop/rock--and more importantly, leave some room for other sorts of records). That list won't be infinite. You can't have them all, can you?
Number of records left to review or just listen to: 920
Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 42
Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 20 (including this one)
Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important to me): 19
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May 04 2022
View Author
4
Classy, sophisticated songwriting from the BritPop era yet not quite fitting the swaggering, posing mould of bands from that time, The Auteurs’ New Wave is a beautifully crafted album that rewards repeat listens.
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