New Wave is the 1993 debut album by British alternative rock band The Auteurs. In 2014, British independent record label 3 Loop Music re-released the album on 180gsm Vinyl and as a 2CD Expanded Edition which included b-sides, rarities, radio session tracks and the original 4-track demos that led to the band's signing with Hut Records.
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.
- I really liked the Auteurs. Am I gay? - Yes, but for other reasons.
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.
This was fine. It was okay. It'll do. Like how Chole described Franz Ferdinand as 'landfill indie', this is 'landfill 90s alt-rock'
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.
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.
I don’t know... it was okay. But I feel like I’ve heard that record a thousand times before from other bands.
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
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!
Enjoyed.
I loved their sound! Reminded me of the Kooks. I will return to this album again in the future.
Lowkey great vibes. Big fan of the Beatles-vocals.
Absolutely loved it, every song is great. Also, the singer's voice sounds familiar, even though I have never heard anything from the band
Never heard of this band but they are a new favorite. Death Cabbish but slightly grungier.
"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.
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!
Awesome! Love the first track
Tästä oli tosi helppo tykätä. Soittolistalle päätyivät ainakin Bailed Out, Junk Shop Clothes, Starstruck, How Could I Be Wrong ja Housebreaker.
This was amazing - never heard of the auteurs, but such a fun variety of upbeat rockin melodies.
Loved this album.
Great 90s rock album
9/10 incredibly fun I love the way it almost feels like alt-rock with its mixing and bass-heavy feel
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*
This is good... no doubt requiring more intense scrutiny!
good stuff
A perfectly fine album just a genre that's not my usual fav. Good listening music though.
very lovely Brazzaville vibes 4/5
AK: enjoyable 90s alt. 4/5
pleasant, heady britpop fav track: idiot brother
Not sure if I ever heard of them before, but it was a pretty good album
Production: 12/20 Songwriting: 15/20 Innovation: 13/20 Bangers: 10/20 Emotional response: 13/20 =63 I liked it. Low 4.
1
no idea who these guys are, but it sounds fine!
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.
Brit pop at its best. Start of the genre in one of best possible ways, better than Blur (but not better than Suede)
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
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"
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
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
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.
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.
Really like this album. Will listen to again. 90s. Good flow. Bit like A Death Cab for Cutie.
It was fine. A couple interesting tracks.
Not a huge fan of the lead singer. Good songs though.
Good album, underrated artists 3,5/5
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
9/8 3.5/5. Cool grungy album. Standout Tracks: Starstruck, Valet Parking, Idiot Brother, Home Again
This is a new album for me. I enjoyed it. Nice rocky sound good guitars fun lyrics
7/10
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.
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
Rather reminded me of Crowded House, and that's always a good thing.
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!
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”
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.
I’ve, very chill and enjoyable, I like the production very much
1993. Show Girl, How Could I Be Wrong
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!
Rock Indie.
I'd never heard of this group before and really enjoyed the vibe.
Great to hear this again!
Liked the whole album through. Simple but interesting.
This is not new wave
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
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.
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
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.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Show girl, How could I be wrong,
What an odd discovery. This is right up my alley, released when I was in high school, and I had never heard of it. In another dimension, I saw this on 120 Minutes, ran out to buy the CD the next day, then recorded it for my best friend, telling her it reminded me of all of our favorite movie soundtracks combined. And yet, in reality, nothing, until 29 years later. I have some catching up to do.
SUPER digging this album. Not a very unique sound, but one I enjoy.
Unexpected and Great!
Ja vet int va ni e på ja rocka me de
Never heard of The Auteurs, and judging by the brevity of this album’s wikipedia entry it kinda fluked its way onto the list. But I liked it! I thought the The Neil Tennant/Ian Broudie style vocals would start to annoy me but they didn’t. There are lots of nice melodies, decent 90s guitars and some interesting lines. 3.5, but I’ll round up because I think it deserves more love than it’s evidently had.
Actually entertaining pop.
Such excellent bitchery.
Had a decent vibe and was something easy to listen to
Nice early '90s alternative.
Pretty cool post-punk album. No major complaints, other than it's not my favorite genre.
Top notch Britpop. If one likes guitar driven anthemic rock, one could do worse than The Auteurs. Blur and Oasis received a lot of the press in the US, but The Auteurs delivered a solid debut. Luke Haines may or may not have "created" Britpop, although he clearly was ambivalent about the term. On his first outing, Haines witty lyricism is already apparent. The balance of cellos, chamber pop and guitars are compelling, and this is one of the better early 90s releases.
Good album! I enjoyed this one! The lyrics were a bit, sketchy. But the singer had a good voice, good instrumentation. The lyrics are the only let down. Overall, a really solid album.
Nice
Oddly enjoyable
surprisingly good
Cool and catchy
definite listen again
Did not know what to expect going into this one. Enjoyed a lot of the songs but felt the flow was a little weird at times.
Reminded me of The Beatles at times! Pretty neat stuff. Highlights: Bailed Out Starstruck Home Again
These guys are getting slept on
I am not sure how to describe this one but I enjoyed it twice. I will listen again.
I started listening to this with some strong reservations, as someone who generally finds 'Britpop' to be an odious genre with very little redeeming qualities (I am seriously not looking forward to listening to the Blur records on this list). But after a few tracks I started to lighten up a bit as I realized this had more in common with the Pulp side of Britpop (aka: the good stuff) and if anything sounded more like Jangle Pop to me. From what I can tell this band just got sort of thrown into the Britpop scene because of their proximity to all the other big originators of that sound, which definitely makes more sense than someone classifying them as such based on their sound. One of the more appealing aspects of this record is certainly the lyrics, blending some impressively acerbic wit with an enjoyable amount of literary pretension. Everything I've read about this band's frontman points to him being a Grade-A twat, and honestly that feels like the kind of person you'd need to write lyrics this entertaining. At no point do these pretensions become pretentious however, combined with some memorable and catchy hooks that I'm always looking for in music like this. The opening track 'Show Girl demonstrates this very well, a fantastic opener that immediately grabs your attention and the rest of the album refuses to let up with nary a dull or uninteresting track. Another highlight is Idiot Brother with its sneering guitars and equally sneering lyrics. Definitely a great record, although I'm not entirely sure if I would have picked it for this list considering some of the snubs it managed to get in over. Although considering I almost certainly wouldn't have checked this out without it being on the list, it seems foolish of me to look this gift horse in the mouth. Highlights: Show Girl, Junk Shop Clothes, Starstruck, Valet Parking, Idiot Brother
Indie pop, parecido a Crowed House, pero más soft.
4.5
The lyrics are interesting and often odd and the music is of the rambly-catchy-british sort. Wasn’t quite what I expected from something called “New Wave” and not everything held my attention but I was left liking it.
It’s really decent, some reviews I’ve seen seem to make them victims of the “uurrrgh I hate britpop” crowd. Which I can get to some extent but this book is partly about discovery and this is a band I’ve never heard before. The album inhabits the more smiths inspired suede/gene route which is one of the better ways to go for britpop. Very solid 4/5.
Wow this is really rad. The lyrics are witty and referential, and instrumentally it's catchy as heck. If britpop was more like this I would've definitely been a fan.
Boss Britpop!
Quite a nice early britpop album. Can't say I've heard of The Auteurs before, but I like this - Pretty acoustic and inoffensive, if a bit slow-paced for my usual tastes. Favourite: Early Years
Pretty good indie.Nice vocals and riffs.Not super memorable and I’m not a huge indie fan anyway but I like the album.No song was bad and I think it was better than average.
New to me. Liked it!
Wasn’t familiar with this album or band going in, but it was a nice discovery. Reminds me quite a lot of mid- to late-90s Current 93 as the vocalist at times uses that eerie whispered quality and some of the Melodie’s bear similarities to that era of David Tibet’s output.