Reviews (page 2 of 7)
Didn't know them and am happy about this find. Great album.
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.
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.
Very Big Star with a Smiths and Britpop edge
I wish I would have know them in the 90. Great album, going to listen to it again.
omg amazing
LOVED IT SO MUCH.
I love 90s rock so much, this album did not disappoint!
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*
9/10 incredibly fun I love the way it almost feels like alt-rock with its mixing and bass-heavy feel
Great 90s rock album
Loved this album.
This was amazing - never heard of the auteurs, but such a fun variety of upbeat rockin melodies.
Tästä oli tosi helppo tykätä. Soittolistalle päätyivät ainakin Bailed Out, Junk Shop Clothes, Starstruck, How Could I Be Wrong ja Housebreaker.
Awesome! Love the first track
"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.
Never heard of this band but they are a new favorite. Death Cabbish but slightly grungier.
Absolutely loved it, every song is great. Also, the singer's voice sounds familiar, even though I have never heard anything from the band
Lowkey great vibes. Big fan of the Beatles-vocals.
I loved their sound! Reminded me of the Kooks. I will return to this album again in the future.
Enjoyed.
I quite enjoyed this
Drew me in slowly. Gentle rock with some lovely arrangements
Blind album and artist. Genuinely enjoyed the listen. Dont understand all the hate honestly.
Very mellow to listen to
Got into it, brilliant and whimsical
I had a rather good time with this one. Can't really remember what I liked about it even a few hrs later tho Re-listened, chilled out, stoner, vaudeville kyle kraft (good thing) Kinda also like if "catastrophe waitress" was a whole album (again, good thing) 4+
Solid 3.5. Clássico britpop
Album #111, New Wave, The Auteurs ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had never heard this band before. I thought I had when I saw the name come up, but I was either confusing them with The Adverts or Autechre. So this was a completely new discovery for me. There’s a lot to like here. It’s very hard not to make the lazy comparison with Suede because there are just too many similarities to ignore. For one thing, Luke Haines sounds remarkably like Brett Anderson at times. And they seem to write about similar things too. Fame, boredom, glamour, mundanity, all that kind of stuff. But The Auteurs are less glam than Suede. There’s still a bit of that Bowie style glam influence hanging over the album, but it’s much more understated. The whole thing is really dominated by Luke Haines. His vocals, his personality and especially his lyrics. I thought the album was genuinely funny in places. I’ve only listened to it once so I definitely haven’t fully gotten to grips with the lyrics yet, but my first impression was that he’s a really unique songwriter. The instrumentation is great throughout as well. It’s subtle and tasteful in a way that reminded me a little bit of Belle and Sebastian, though definitely not quite as delicate or twee as them. It weirdly felt a bit like Ween too. I actually found this one hard to review, but I enjoyed pretty much every song on it. Showgirl is probably my favourite track and a brilliant opener. I was reading on Wikipedia that some people consider this album a kind of blueprint for Britpop, but honestly I don’t really hear Britpop in it all that much. Maybe there are flashes of Blur here and there, but to me it doesn’t fully fit that label. Maybe that’s just me though. Either way, this was exactly the kind of discovery I wanted from the generator today.
I don’t hate it but it also isn’t quite right for me? There are good songs here. Theres a lot to like here. I think the lead singers delivery just took a bit for me to get used to actually. He has kind of a whispery delivery. Got into it about halfway through the album. By the end I totally turned around and loved it. Definitely will seek out more from this band.
Enjoyed this way more that I thought I would. Super solid British pop. Simple but catchy. Great vocals. First song Show Girl got me hooked from the beginning.
Los autores de la nueva ola
Hadn't heard of this band, I liked what I had time to listen to but didn't get through much of it.
7.75/10 - I actually rate this pretty highly. I really like the leads voice/delivery and the generally disdainful and pessimistic sound. I’m probably higher on this than most.
Pretty good album. Seems like they listened to a lot of Bowie, Lou Reed, Roxy Music and so on but wanted to apply it to a different esthetic. As far as those 90s britpop bands go, this one is quite unique. Very nocturnal, dark, heavily misanthropic in the lyrics. Solid stuff, 1001albums strikes again.
**The Auteurs — *New Wave* (1993): An In-Depth Review** --- ### Overview Released in early 1993, *New Wave* stands as one of the most intellectually formidable and stylistically distinctive debuts of the decade. Fronted by Luke Haines—songwriter, guitarist, and one of British indie rock's most caustic personalities—the album arrived at a pivotal moment, just as British guitar music was shifting from shoegaze and baggy toward what would soon be branded Britpop. The album was shortlisted for the 1993 Mercury Music Prize, famously losing by a single vote to Suede's debut . It has since been canonized in the *1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die* list and remains a touchstone for critics who value lyrical density and anti-heroic sensibility over anthemic populism. --- ### Lyrics Luke Haines' lyricism on *New Wave* is the album's defining feature—spiteful, sardonic, and wickedly clever, delivered in a hushed, conspiratorial whisper that forces the listener to lean in . The writing operates through impressionistic vignettes rather than narrative clarity, capturing "lives half-seen and quarter-known" with a raconteur's minimalism . **Key thematic threads:** - **Show business and failed aspiration:** The opener "Show Girl" sets the tone with its tale of marrying a showgirl bride, only to confront the grim reality of unemployment and library notice-boards—an illusion of glamour smashed by Thatcher-era hangover . "Starstruck" extends this to child actors and the distortions of fame ("First child and a showbiz son / Always hide where you come from") . - **Class and cultural slumming:** "Junk Shop Clothes" is the album's lyrical centerpiece, attacking the bohemian affectation of distressed fashion among the affluent middle class. Haines drops esoteric references to Lenny Bruce and Chaim Soutine to underline the irony: "Junk shop clothes will get you nowhere / No summer pavilion / No shooting season" . The song suggests that performing poverty is not only disingenuous but actively prevents social mobility. - **Hostility toward American alternative rock:** "American Guitars" functions as a sneering takedown of grunge and soft alt-rock mediocrity ("They were failing dutifully / If you're going to fail at all"). The repetitive guitar motif mimics the very music Haines is mocking . - **Domestic unease and petty catastrophe:** "Idiot Brother"—potentially a veiled swipe at the Gallagher brothers and Oasis—explores jealousy and dysfunction through cryptic, unsettling imagery: "I was walking around your house / In the middle of the night / Home medicine, erotica / Is your prescription right?" . The lyrics reward close attention; Haines buries cultural references and bitter punchlines that reveal themselves only on repeated listens, creating what one critic called "a glorious, unclear monologue" . --- ### Music & Arrangement Musically, *New Wave* occupies a unique space—too ornate for lo-fi, too brittle for mainstream Britpop, too melodic for post-punk. The sound is characterized by: - **Guitar work** that "plots brittle geometries while resisting virtuosity," offering blocky chords and jangly progressions that nod to Johnny Marr without imitating him . - **James Banbury's cello**, described as "the last good cello in 90s guitar music," which adds a melancholy elegance that never turns mawkish . It elevates tracks like "Bailed Out" into something approaching chamber-pop. - **Rhythmic restraint:** Glen Collins' drums alternate between propulsive and restraining functions, while Alice Readman's bass provides simple, low-slung foundation . - **Baroque touches:** Harpsichord, celeste, piano, and harmonica appear throughout, giving songs like "Junk Shop Clothes" and "Housebreaker" a whimsical, almost vaudevillian texture that contrasts with the lyrical darkness . The album's sonic signature is "eerie elegance"—melodic and accessible on the surface, but suffused with an undercurrent of menace and disillusionment . Haines' vocal delivery—dry, wry, perpetually downbeat—completes the effect, making even ostensibly pretty songs feel vaguely sinister . --- ### Production Produced by Phil Vinall, *New Wave* captures a specific early-90s indie aesthetic: clean enough to showcase the arrangements, but not so polished that it loses grit. However, production choices have been divisive. Some listeners find the arrangements overly busy, with one critic noting that the album "could have been so much better if the arrangements and production were simplified," questioning whether every song needed cello, harmonica, or xylophone . Conversely, the expanded edition's home demos reveal the songs in skeletal form—Haines playing cardboard box drums, his voice hissing through a 4-track, guitars threatening to drown the entire endeavor . These raw versions demonstrate that the studio sheen, while occasionally fussy, was necessary to translate Haines' vision into something listenable. The production successfully balances ornate instrumentation with the ragged energy of the band's live presence. --- ### Themes At its core, *New Wave* is an album about **disappointment**—with culture, with class, with the music industry, with the self. Haines surveys a landscape of "dirt, grime, laughing when you should vomit, biting when a smile is expected" . The world he creates is one of Surrey satellite towns, unpleasant parties, home invasions, and failed performers—a "more general malaise" rather than faded glamour . There's also a meta-commentary on **Britpop itself**. Though often lumped into the movement, Haines viewed the association with contempt. *New Wave* can be read as both a template for Britpop's antimodernist arrangements and an *avant-la-lettre* condemnation of the lager-and-parka jingoism that the scene would descend into . Haines was simultaneously inventing the genre and predicting its artistic limitations. The album's final track, "Home Again," offers a rare moment of sentimentality ("it's better than drugs / it's goo-ood / to be in your home again"), immediately undercut by the hidden urgency and paranoia that precedes it . This tension—between craving connection and despising the world that offers it—drives the entire record. --- ### Influence & Legacy *New Wave* is increasingly recognized as a **proto-Britpop landmark** that predated and arguably outclassed many of its more famous contemporaries. Critics have noted that it "heralded a new wave of British guitar music" while remaining too idiosyncratic to truly belong to the scene it helped inspire . The album's influence can be traced through: - **Luke Haines' subsequent career:** The Auteurs' later albums (*Now I'm a Cowboy*, *After Murder Park*) evolved into darker, steelier territory, but *New Wave* established the Haines universe—one he continues to explore in solo work and with Black Box Recorder . - **Britpop's intelligent wing:** Bands like Pulp (particularly Jarvis Cocker's class-conscious narratives) and Suede share DNA with Haines' approach, though Haines maintained a more adversarial relationship with the mainstream . - **The "landfill indie" backlash:** *New Wave* serves as a reminder of what British guitar pop could achieve when it prioritized wit and arrangement over anthemic simplicity. Louder Than War described Haines as "the nearest we've got to a true genius from the so-called Britpop Era" , while Drowned in Sound noted the album's enduring "mystery"—why Haines should be so conflicted, so clear yet hushed, so melodic yet hostile . --- ### Pros | Strength | Evidence | |----------|----------| | **Exceptional lyricism** | "Spiteful, vaguely sinister, and wickedly clever" writing that rewards repeated listening | | **Distinctive sonic identity** | Cello-driven chamber-pop meets brittle guitar rock; no other 1993 album sounds quite like it | | **Melodic craft** | Hooks abound despite the cynicism—"Show Girl," "Junk Shop Clothes," and "Bailed Out" are immediately memorable | | **Thematic coherence** | A fully realized worldview; Haines creates his own language and universe | | **Historical significance** | A foundational Britpop document that predates the movement's commercial peak | | **Arch humor** | Despite the darkness, the album is genuinely funny—"Lenny Bruce never walked in a dead man's shoes, even for one night" | --- ### Cons | Weakness | Evidence | |----------|----------| | **Overwrought arrangements** | Some critics find the instrumentation (cello, xylophone, harmonica) excessive and distracting; "did this song really need a cello?" | | **Vocal limitations** | Haines' whispered, nasal delivery can feel monotonous or lacking in dynamic range | | **Accessibility** | The album's determined idiosyncrasy and lack of obvious choruses can make it a "grower" rather than an immediate pleasure | | **Britpop association** | Being lumped into a movement Haines despised has arguably obscured the album's unique merits | | **Emotional distance** | The relentless cynicism can feel cold; some listeners find it "boring" or "the epitome of bland" | --- ### Verdict *New Wave* is not an easy album to love, but it is an impossible one to dismiss. It captures a moment in British music when intelligence and melody were not yet mutually exclusive, when a songwriter could reference Chaim Soutine and still write a chorus that stuck in your head. Luke Haines' creation is a world of "half-forgotten souvenirs" and "creeping unease," rendered in arrangements that are as elegant as they are unsettling . If the album has a flaw, it is that it sometimes tries too hard to be difficult—burying its accessibility under layers of irony and ornamentation. But this same quality ensures its longevity. While Oasis sang about cigarettes and alcohol for stadiums, and Blur documented modern life with arch observationalism, The Auteurs were constructing something darker, stranger, and ultimately more enduring: a critique of the very dream that Britpop would sell out to pursue. **Essential for:** Fans of Suede's *Dog Man Star*, Pulp's *His 'n' Hers*, Robyn Hitchcock, or anyone who believes that the best British indie rock should leave you slightly uncomfortable. **Rating:** 8/10 — A flawed but foundational masterpiece of intelligent, antisocial guitar pop .
Every song is good. And yet -- eh. I'm not very interested in returning to this record. I think I am not a good rock band listener. It has become apparent to me more and more over the years that the more a band is just straight rock, the more I just am not interested. I think that's relevant here. Hold the phone! Early Years is excellent. That's going into the library. Otherwise .... etc. ... Plus -- this guy's voice sounds just like Robyn Hitchcock, whom I know well (sort of) owing to my habit of saying "Yeah, sure" whenever someone asks me if I want to go too when they're going to a concert. As a result of my friend Ben's affection for Hitchcock, I've seen him several times. It's weird to hear what sounds like his voice on this rather different music. "When I first met you / You were not house trained" .... that's very Robyn Hitchcock ... possibly I'm on to something ...
Feel 8/10: almost Beatles inspired? Really good feeling throughout Length 8/10: 12 Songs at 40 mins actually works Musicality 7/10: Basic band. Piano, Bass, drums, guitar, but some great percussion Flow 7/10: Good mixing between songs. Very little space Understandability 6/10: No clear story and semi clear lyrics Overall 8.5/10: Great album. Feels out of its time but is fun
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Never heard of the Auteurs before but I love their sound. They're a good alt-rock counterpoint to the Brit-pop culture at the time. Top Tracks: How Could I Be Wrong, Idiot Brother, Home Again
Sometimes Luke Haines does a little Peter Ivers thing with his voice and that's what boosts this from being a standard good album to memorable and worth revisiting.
Det är varierat och spännande på Radiohead-sättet. Bra låtar, intressanta arr. Jag borde älska detta. Kanske på fel humör idag. En fyra.
Good
Really enjoyed this one. It’s a lilting and light spread of songs, that in some points got a bit samey. Fortunately, they started adding different instrumentation and it really helped. Also, the lyrics being largely about some mundane Hollywood nonsense is kind of a pleasant reprieve.
Quite liked this.
I liked this. It was sort similar to elliot Smith but peppier
A great album, criminally under-rated
I oscillated on this one from thinking nothing special, to liking it enough to revisit. From the Wikipedia, I can see the comparison to Suede (two albums which I enjoyed on this list), and the sound is crisp and driving throughout the album. I guess my only reservation was the vocals, but I can see them growing on me with time.
Never heard this. Very much enjoyed it
This one grew on me. Doesn't bring a lot of energy to the table and I won't be humming any of the songs to myself, but it was a pleasant listen all the same.
8/10
Sounded like a Death Cab B side album in the best way.
Pleasant surprise, Brit pop but with its own intriguing minor key flavor.
An album and artist I'd never heard of - what a shame. I can see why this was seen as one of the first albums of Britpop. Unapologetically British, dark, sardonic, exactly how I want my music from the 90s. Singer seems like a bit of a twat though.
I am a little surprised I was not listening to this in 1993.
New band for me here with good material and pleasant rock. I'll definitely go back to it. Nothing really outstanding but the album is consistent and flies
Completely passed me by at the time so I’m glad the list has helped me find this band. Sounds like bridge the gap nicely between the shoegazey stuff of the early 90s and Britpop
I know britpop gets shit on on here because it's oversaturated but this album was a really nice surprise. I thought it was quite good
Sounds good to me
Pese a su nombre afrancesado son música 100% inglesa. La duda es si es mejor este o el segundo. Los otros dos ya no los escuché mucho, pero sí su continuación como Black Box Recorder, otros muy recomendables. Por trayectoria y talento podría compararse con David Gedge (Weddoes y Cinerama) aunque también con un Jarvis menos histriónico. Housebreaker es especialmente buena. Idiot brothers también. Home again comienza a lomos de T Rex y acaba con los mejores Smiths. Bailed Out recuerda un poco a los ilustres The Fall. Don´t trust the stars y Junk Shop Clothes resuenan como toda su obra a Kinks. American Guitars y Early Years podrían estar en Bossanova de los Pixies sin desentonar, o How Could I Be Wrong con esa guitarra. Y así una tras otra, es un maravilla este disco. En pleno Brit Rock, grunge, Heavy-rap, etc etc... esto fue otra cosa. Y con el paso de los años queda demostrado que se sostiene mejor que la enorme mayoría de discos de su época. No está su mejor canción: The Upper Classes un cruce entre Los Flying Burrito Bros. del que Radiohead tomaron buena nota para Creep.
Salty Brit pop and I’m here for it. I love the feel and the lack of pop polish. I particularly liked “housebreaker”.
The album is a hidden gem. It’s passion and taste in 50 minutes. Hard to know why not a lot of people know about it.
7.5/10
No outstanding tracks, but solid all the way through
Quite liked this Simpsons: No
This album felt like it really should've been from the 70s, which hey, that's a win for me. Did most of the songs sound the same? Yes. But did I LIKE the way the way they all sounded? Also yes. It was a more mediocre band that was reminiscent of The Beatles, and I'm not complaining. 3.5 stars.
Wow this is great! Not sure why this is so hated here.. Perhaps not one of the best (1001) albums ever made but nonetheless great 80’s album!
New listen and enjoyed. Very 90’s…Made me wonder if this is an influence on the Afghan Whigs / Toadies for some reason.
Surprisingly, I like this. Closer to a 3.5 but rounded up instead of down. Would relisten.
I'm really surprised, but I liked this. They have a comforting, nostalgic sound and I was impressed. Don't know if I'd ever put it on again but fully enjoyed it while it was on.
Never heard of this band before. Liked it enough for it to keep my interest. It’s funny how the likes of Suede and Blur can rise to the top and a band like this, which to my ears is better, doesn’t.
I missed this on release--too bad for me. Really enjoying it now. Catchy, great production, what's not to love? You want to listen again and again. And again.
A good album where all the songs are pretty equal. 4 stars or B.
Really really liked it.
Consistently catchy but doesn't sound cheap. At times I hear some early Radiohead in this, or maybe The Smiths... I find myself enjoying the slower, quirkier tracks more than the guitar driven stuff, but there's hooks everywhere. Nice riffs in opener Show Girl, especially the brief solo in the middle. Bailed Out introduces a simple piano melody and it's very good. Junk Shop Clothes is comforting somehow, with familiar melodies. There's piano or percussion scattered through many of the songs to great effect. Idiot Brother hits us with another earworm of a guitar riff straight away. There's even a hidden track - very 90s. This passes the vibe check for me.
Fun early Britpop album. Surprised I never heard it back in the day, because I was all about this stuff.
3 1/2. Not quite a 4, not quite a 3. It kinda alternates from great song to ok song. I'll round up to a 4 cause there really are some great songs on it, and it's good to focus on the good :)
Interesting, not terrible. Chill
Enjoyed! Not exactly the most memorable album that I've ever listened to but I found it enjoyable. Would give it another listen for sure.
I quite liked elements of this and it was another band that I had never heard of despite being somewhat into acts associated with them. I subsequently read that they became lumped in with the Britpop movement, the links to which are clearer at the start of the album. Over the course of the tracks the songs get a bit more "rocky", which I preferred. The start has more of a Pulp/Blur sound. I am not sure I will seek them out but it was perfectly listenable.
Was cynical going in but really enjoyed. Each song got into a really nice groove
Great debut album. Im a big fan of Luke Haines
Nice
It was okay, New Wave is not really my style.
Aware of the band, and some of their later stuff but that's it. Better than Suede, if that means much. I actually like it more as it goes. It just lacks a little something, hard to say what it is. 3.5 rounded up Heard before? No Owned: No: 29/118 (24%) Will I get? Maybe
This one's a bit of a deep cut. For those who don't know, The Auteurs were a 1990s British alternative rock band, fronted by singer-songwriter Luke Haines. For all intents and purposes, they are considered progenitors of the Britpop movement, and their debut record, New Wave, pretty much sounds like it. The bright acoustic guitar textures, the catchy melodies, the obvious influence from 1960s British pop, Luke's accented vocals, all the elements that would become Britpop are right there. Luke would hate the association with the movement, but it's hard to deny the stylistic similarities. If that assessment sounds wrong, then at the very least, it is a very agreeable jangle pop experience. Even if it is evident that Luke's lyrics invoked more whimsical imagery than any lasting meaning, the riffs, arrangements, and solid rhythm section from Alice Readman and Glenn Collins kept the listening experience just engaging enough to carry through to the end. I would consider New Wave to be a lost gem. It won't set the world on fire if you've heard a fair share of Britpop or jangle pop before, but it is a pleasant enough album to have on.
Another band I've never heard of, it really feels like a throwback to 80's goth or maybe even Velvet Underground. It's not bad but doesn't seem anything very special, not really sure how it made the list. Looking them up apparently they were progenitors of the brit-pop movement and I can totally see that. The album started pretty slow and emo but definitely picks up a bit with "Don't Trust The Stars". I enjoyed the more upbeat tracks on this album, not my favorite but glad to listen to it.
Solid plata. 3,5
This wasn't really what I was expecting when I saw the Britpop tag. I figured it would be another Oasis/Blur knockoff, but there's more of a Bowiesque art-rock quality to it. Luke Haines sounds a lot like Dan Bejar of New Pornographers/Destroyer fame. Highlights for me were "American Guitars", "Junk Shop Clothes", and "Idiot Brother". 4 stars.
This is awesome 4.49 stars... Very interesting.
Really enjoyed - nice mellow sound - a pleasant listen
best find of this series yet
sort of like a better oasis?
Had never heard of The Auteurs but this was a fun listen. Lots of Replacements influence/vibe here. Would definitely listen to this one again and explore more of their catalog.
Good to hear again. No idea what he's talking about lyrically most of the time but generally like their sound
No es un estilo que me guste mucho, pero disfruté del álbum. Creo que es como si hubiesen tomado el tema "Sunday Morning" de Velvet Underground, le hubiesen puesto batería y un poco más de energía y desarrollaran todo un álbum en base a eso. Me gustaron los arreglos, sencillos pero precisos. Escuché este álbum un sábado nublado por la mañana mientras desayunaba, fue un ambiente más que propicio para esta música.
like it — never heard it before
Not a band I'd listened to before, but their take on Brit-pop is certainly one I appreciate. It's Suede adjacent, but definitely its own thing. The music is varied and engaging and the lyrics are great. I can see how the vocals would be divisive, but I quite enjoy his nasal drawl.
This was actually quite decent for a style of rock that's never really connected with me. It's a jangly, and even a bit glam in places, indie album. The production is full-bodied for its time, with the more than audible bass guitar acting as a nice touch throughout. Lyrically, whilst there is plenty of self-pitying going on here as is commonplace for the style, this felt a bit more intelligent, quirky and less on the over-earnest side. I didn't want to set the vocalist on fire either, which is often a chief complaint for me within this sphere. I wouldn't object at all if someone were to put this on.
I was very back and forth on this one and whether it was a big 3 or a small 4. I like a lot of what's going on here, especially the hidden track, but there's also a lot of it that while alright and pleasent enough failed to leave an impression on me Standouts American Guitars Valet Parking Sub Culture (Hidden track) 4/5
Very fun album
This was a great listen and new group for me
Good
Really good! I would pick this up if I saw it at the thrift store but I probably wouldn't but it full-price. Absolutely would listen again and recommend.
I really enjoyed this album. The first song was my favorite. I think the album took a slightly different direction after that. It was fun to listen to, and an album I hadn't heard before.
Четвёрка немного завышена, но это крайне приятный сюрприз с хорошей девяностнической энергетикой, полной и надрыва, и балладных нот, и чего-то фрикового
Like the Beatles but incorporated more electronic elements
perfectly post beatles and pre arctic monkeys.
I had never heard of the album or the band. After reading the reviews, I was skeptical about what to expect. But I really liked the album. I'll definitely listen to it again and get to know the band a bit more. 4/5
The Good: We know what genre this belongs to! The Bad: We’ve been fooled… The Ugly: Being fooled by auteurs, is like being schooled by morons.. Okay, I will let you in on a little secret: I am playing catch-up on all these albums which I did listen to, yet at the time did not have the time to rate. In the case of this album, almost 2 months have gone by, and I can only recall the album cover, but not a single song… What does that tell you about the impact that this album had on me? Maybe I am getting insensitive to music, after forcing myself to listen to a different album for almost 500 days… So what should I do here? Should I go through the middle? I do recall that the album did make me want to hit the skip button… but no impact… does that deserve 3*? Gonna listen to it real fast, brb… Okay, mid ‘90s stuff… and I like the ‘90s… maybe I will add this to my list of things I need to listen to again at some point in the future… which means 4*
This was pretty good
Good enough Alternative Rock.
Suede may be the more memorable of the proto-Brit-pop bands, but The Auteurs just barely beat them to the punch, releasing their debut album only a matter of weeks earlier. I can see the connection a bit more with Suede, but I really liked the The Auteurs too. They feel a bit moodier, a bit darker, like they'd be influenced by the likes of My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain. It's not quite a perfect album, but there are loads of highlights, including "Show Girl", "How Could I Be Wrong", and "Early Years". This is one that I should definitely return to.
Good
Fan det var ju bra. Helt okänt band som gör rena sköna melodiska låtar. Det här kan man lyssna mer på!
Ytterligare en rolig överraskning från ett band jag inte visste fanns. Förmodligen den bästa skivan hittills på listan sett i relation till antal (enastående få) spelningar på Spotify. Första låten är bra men därefter är för ovanlighetens skull andra halvan (i synnerhet de tre sista) MYCKET starkare än den första. Bästa låt: Idiot brother.
Hadn’t heard the auteurs before was pleasantly surprised by it. Although wasn’t sure what to expect will listen again
afgaande op cover en naam vreesde ik het ergste... bleek het zeer goed mee te vallen... soort kruising van Bauhaus, Magazine en Suede... mooi plaatje
adri: 8'5, rock depresivo, es como un dia de lluvia, me encanta. mar: 7, de fondo está guay.
I would go see this band if it was playing at the local, their ilk has been playing there since the seventies
Well done, laid back style.
7/10… brit pop / madchester
72/100. A solid indie pop album. While it doesn’t break any new ground, it offers a consistent and enjoyable listen. The instrumentation tends to stay in the same lane throughout, and a bit more variation could have elevated the record.
Pop, rock, early indie, melodic, fuzzy and very British, I like it a lot
I really liked this one and I may revisit it soon as I feel that I can't rank it fairly at the moment. The lyrics are witty, sarcastic and open to interpretation. They also feel deeply personal. The singing has quite a bite to it and reminds me of George Harrison. The guitars are jangly, distorted, melodic and at times a bit gritty.
As they say in Yorkshire "I'm on a reyt run". They say all sorts over there, not all of it useful here. Still, this was excellent arty rock, set firmly in the early Britpop space.
Never heard of them before. Sounded actually a little more modern. Liked it more than I thought, their voice in some of the songs were a bit painful.
I have listened to the album two times.... Oo Idiot brother - guitar melody ... Early years How could I be wrong (But what are all these songs about?)
On first listen I found it a bit forgettable, but when I listened again I really enjoyed it (and then I listened a 3rd time and liked it even more) Fav song: Showgirl, I also really enjoyed Housebreaking and Home Again. Least fav: Junk Shop Clothes
Decent album this. Really like the first half but tapered off a bit for me towards the end. I did find it funny that the main guy refused to be associated with Brit pop Specific rating - 4.1 Fav song - show girl Least fav- housebreaker
Another one in the not groundbreaking, but good music id never heard of group.
Lots of lovely songs. Some really good tunes and if I had owned this on CD I think I'd have grown to love many of these But while they try, this is not as fun as Belle and Sebastian, not as catchy as Oasis and not as bitingly clever as Pulp. Reading about Luke Haines is also quite amusing. He's clearly a complete arse. In his autobiography "...Haines reserves spectacular bile for Auteurs cellist James Banbury – referring to him only as "The Cellist"" (from a Guardian article). Best songs: Show Girl Bailed out How Could I be Wrong? Early Years
Cool very mellow. Maybe needs a few times to catch on
Rather enjoyable, another 7/10 album but this one I'm going to round up to 4/5.
Good stuff
I mean it is the basic rock album, really enjoyed good background rock.
I enjoyed it. Just good, straight ahead early 90's Brit rock.
I had never heard of these guys and the album ended up being a soundtrack to the start of a lengthy weird drive... which was probably perfect. Interesting record.
Very fun, actually. Pleasant, mellow, but energetic at the same time, somehow.
Pretty close to a 5/5, but it's not. Home again is, in fact, a major W of a song. The entire album is really good, no songs stick out too much, but they're all good. Definite 4/5, 5/5 if there were bangers.
It was a lot better than the previous and I’ll listen to this again
4.1
Never heard of it, really liked it. Will listen again.
Easy to listen to, but I didn't really catch the lyrics much. Keane reminds me of these.
I enjoyed this one! I feel like I can see where some other bands grew out of this music. It also strikes me like something I would have been heavily into if I was a teen/young adult at the time that it came out. I can still definitely appreciate it at my current age though. I'd like to do a closer lyric listen on my next listen but for now I know I definitely enjoyed the vibes.
New Wave sounds like it skipped a whole British music scene, sailing straight from the snarkiness of C86 to the glam and tribute of Britpop without even deigning to stop at the club on the way there. i will admit, sometimes the songs blend into each other if you're not paying attention, especially in the middle of what would be the CD and the end of the vinyl's A side, but i don't think it's really a record meant to be thrown on in the background. rather, you're supposed to hone in on each little line with a double entendre or bitter meaning, something to hear with headphones at home -- T. Rex for the introverts. don't wave your lighter, you'll burn the place down. i dunno why, but i feel like this album's fursona is a hooded crow.
Good stuff. Discovered a new artist
4 -
This wasn't groundbreaking, but I did enjoy it. Gave a Death Cab vibe before Death Cab.
Pretty decent album, nothing too exciting. The vocals took some getting used to.
Damn fine record, quite a few bangers on here like "Idiot Brother" and "Home Again" (this one sounds extremely familiar). I got no complaints on this record it was all well done and no track over stayed its welcome
Pleasant enough. Kept a few songs.
Such excellence and so unknown – hard to fathom how this isn't better known. The terrific "Don't Trust the Stars" coulda/shoulda/woulda been a hit. It sounds fully modern – like it coulda been released last week, given the feels and vibes so many current bands seem to be seeking. Catchy, stylish and distinguished proto-Britpop or 2nd wave New Wave, with real depth and breadth. The communication between the keys and guitars are a strength on several songs. There's so much to like and nary a dog on the whole disc. They do seem more rooted in the world of New Order and Tears for Fears (say), and '90s alt and the more obvious/broader strains of Britpop left them behind. In a more just world they would be bigger than Blur, almost as big as Oasis (but really couldn't be because of the obvious/broad point) but certainly one prefers the Auteurs to either.
Ég var hrifinn. Sum stef koma aftur fyrir í ólíkum lögum og röddin er á mörkum tilgerðar, en það er allt í lagi svona í stóra samhenginu. Gott sound, góður tíunditugur.
Pretty astounding to have anything apart from grunge in this era.
You can hear the influences clearly and how it influenced the next generation (Franz Ferdinand). I think this is a decent album, would come back to it.
Cool and going on
First, it is okay to listen to this album and secondly, it is allowed to be enjoyed. If the 90s rock/alternative genre needed an introduction, this album belongs in that origin story. The album is not spectacular for any reason. However, what the listener does get is a solid 90s rock album that is equal parts of cool and go-for-a-drive-worthy. This band is not trying to melt faces or bore listeners to death, the album is pure music fully capable of being ignored and absorbed.
One of my fav band of the era
Albumi #56, 22.09.2024 The Auteurs ei ole jostain syystä koskaan löytänyt tietään omaan levyhyllyyni. Olisi pitänyt. New Wave (1993) on The Auteursin debyyttialbumi ja varsin mainio sellainen. Löydän albumilta sieltä täältä sävellyksellisiä ja soundillisia viittauksia Pixiesiin ja sehän ei ole huono asia.
I enjoyed this album. Another one I had not heard of previously
4/5
The darker and more intelligent cousin of early britpop. It’s not without its flaws and it might also be part of the britpop fatigue this list gives birth to. It’s nonetheless both charming, funny and well written.
Rather nice.
A bizarre combination of T-Rex and proto Vampire Weekend sounds. Very nice and enjoyable but maybe not that memorable.
the way these guys sing and play their tunes is a fusion between the beatles and the pet shop boys. this is almost... indie new wave, but refined. fancy. the punk band from high school but it's a very prestigious private school. if you like your melodramatic rock like the cure and morrisey, you might get a real kick out of this one. i thought it was alright!
Never heard of the group.
me gustó. ideal para trabajar, naiss
I can't believe I've never heard this. Luke Haines has a kind of Al Stewart/Robyn Hitchcock vibe which is right in my wheel house. I almost ranked this a 5, but it's too soon--it's a 4.5, but going with 4 for now.
Quite enjoyed
That was a pretty fun listen. Kind of a bridge between late 80's indie like the Pixies to Britpop.
Good solid album of early "britpop" which passed me by at the time (I was 11). Not a bad track, elements of The Smiths, Beatles. Solid song writing good lyrics, the last track Home Again has a great indie groove. Stand out tracks: - Show Girl - American guitars - Junk shop clothes - How could I be wrong - Housebreaker - Idiot brother - Early years - Home Again
new wave the auteurs 1993 1. show girl: 9/10 2. bailed out: 8/10 3. american guitars: 7.5/10 4. junk shop clothes: 8/10 5. don’t trust the stars: 7.5/10 6. starstruck: 7.5/10 7. how could i be wrong: 7.5/10 8. housebreaker: 8/10 9. valet parking: 6/10 10. idiot brother: 7.5/10 11. early years: 6/10 12. home again: 6/10 overall rating: 7.47/10
Really like this.
I honestly don't have much to say about the technical aspect of this album's sound. This is very similar to several other records contemporaneous with this one. It comes from England, it sounds alternative, beautiful melodies, heavy sound... Nothing that I haven't heard in the Brit-pop scene of the 90s. But what caught my attention in a curious way, is that throughout the album I I can feel the sensation of coming home, from somewhere far away. And whether you know it or not, the last song on the album is precisely about that. Like I said, I can't say if it was intentional. But if it is, it's an impressive detail.
This album pleasantly surprised me. I think the production is part of what makes this album so unique. It truly has its own sound, epic songs on here too
Very vibey. I keep hoping I'll come across songs on this album that I love, but I only downloaded one - "Idiot Brother," and if anything, that was maybe more for the title. I'd listen through this album again, there just aren't any outlier songs I'd like to make a part of my daily life.
For me, Brit-pop bands are hit and miss and for many they start to sound alike and blend together in my mind. I have to admit, New Wave by the Auteurs was better than I was expecting and though there is nothing really "new wave" about the music it was refreshing and a easy listen. Many of the tracks recalled other bands and songs (the Beatles perhaps?), but what Brit-pop doesn't use the Beatles as a starting point. There is a feeling of familiarity and though they aren't breaking any new ground or pushing the limits of new music, it was enjoyable enough to listen all the way through, which isn't always automatic.
I started off thinking this album is just a little bit dull. I had no idea what this is and what it is trying to achieve. Then I really grew into it. To a point I listened to it for a second time. It picked up a little from American guitars and got much better from starstruck (great song) Home again was also a great tune. Favourite song: Home again and star struck Least favourite: the opening 2 for sure. Album artwork: nothing to say on this.
3.5
"An early, unknown classic. Sounds fully modern – like it coulda been released last week. Seems more connected to '80s than '90s. Catchy, stylish and distinguished early, even proto-Britpop. There's a lot to like and nary a dog on the whole disc; "Don't Trust the Stars" is terrific. Much better than Blur, basically. "
I had never heard of this before but I actually dug it a bit.
Hmm I don't think I know The Auteurs...Brit alt rock. Pretty good so far. It was good, I was going to give it a 3 but I'll bump it up to a 4
"New Wave" is the debut album by British rock band the Auteurs. The album is attributed to laying groundwork for Britpop. The British press named it a glam rock revival and the American press compared it to Suede. Hmmm. The Auteurs on this album were Luke Haines (guitar, piano, vocals), Alice Readman (bass) and Glenn Collins (drums). The album was shortlisted for the 1993 Mercury Prize. "Show Girls" opens the album. Drums and a melodic, poppy guitar. Actually layered acoustic and electric guitars. They do that throughout the album. Nice harmonies, definitely fitting in that Britpop genre. Haines married a showgirl and now he has to work all the time. On "Bailed Out," they add a piano to the layered guitars. A darker theme as the high life will wear you down. I like the touch of a cello at the end. They go more rockin' on "American Guitars." Great electric guitar melody. They're going after British bands who imitate American bands. That's you Bush. Yeah, usually it's the other way around. "Starstruck" slows things down. They're very good at slower songs. An acoustic guitar and a xylophone. It appears someone he knew is a star and he's not. "Early Years" begins with an acoustic strumming guitar and I thought they were covering the 1979 song "Driver's Seat" by Sniff and the Tears. Another good rock song and guitar solo. It was rough growing up in a small town. This is a really good album. It fits the bill as Britpop; I think they're closer to Blur then Suede but they're definitely their own. I'm not sure about the glam rock comparison??? Their songs are melodic both when the music is hard or soft. Haines has clever lyrics. For a first time deep dive into an Auteur's album, it makes me want to check out their other albums which I will do.
I have never heard of this band before but I was surprisingly impressed with this album. I enjoyed the instrumental work on all the tracks and they were fun to listen to but my favorites are Early Years and Home Again. I will listen again!
I have this album lying in a drawer somewhere. I thought they were really good at the time, and listening again now it still stands up. Articulate songwriting and good musicianship, it's a pity it didn't take them further.
Never heard of The Auteurs before. I really liked this album and will definitely explore them more.
Album 370 of 1001 The Auteurs - New Wave Rating : 4 / 5 Favorite Tracks : How Could I Be Wrong / American Guitars Little bit of British Pop/Rock. I enjoyed this. I often feel that there is way too many UK bands on this list but then it gives me one like this that I may have never noticed otherwise. British pop done well.
Indie pop, parecido a Crowed House, pero más soft.
it was pretty chill and calming
Felt very familiar, but enough little touches to separate from all that followed it. I have never heard of this band even a little bit.
#19 The Auteurs - New Wave (1993) Britpop, Indie Pop Jangle Pop, Glam Rock, Art Rock, Indie Rock Surprisingly more interesting than I was expecting. Don't think it should be on the list though. Favourite Tracks: Show Girl, Bailed Out, How Could I Be Wrong, Housebreaker, Idiot Brother Least Favourite Track: American Guitars
Interesting alt rock is how I would describe this. Kinda reminds me of radiohead a bit.
Nice sound. Didn’t understand a whole lot, but it was good background music
This album is pretty good 4 stars!
Their next album was much better but this is good and unique for Brit Pop Rock
Can't believe the sixth best album involving National Treasure Luke Haines and second best Auteurs album is his only entry on here. Bad list. Naughty list. (For reference the five are The Auteurs - After Murder Park, Black Box Recorder - England Made Me and Facts of Life, Baader Meinhof - Baader Meinhof and Luke Haines - 9 1/2 Meditations on British Wrestling of the 70s and Early 80s. Listen and buy them all.)
Indie pop, parecido a Crowed House, pero más soft.
Oh more britpop but hey it's not super long and gets to the point. It was quite enjoyable. Nothing amazing but pleasant enough and it is better than a bunch of the other mediocre britpop on here.
Coll album
1st listen and was impressed. Sad story of singer but some nice tracks here
Too boring at the beginning, even thought of skipping this, but the second half is waaaay better
Huh... It's like.. Dark Bowie? I dig it.
really good, hooky & literate
Un album doux comme un secret murmuré à l’oreille, très familier (T. Rex, un certain Eno)
I like it! Nice suprise with this one, might actually keep it in rotation. Love: How Could I Be Wrong, Show Girl
Feels like a reference point for a lot of bands I like
Sounded so much like Destroyer, but not as interesting.
Similar feel to Oasis, maybe had some Beatles influence as well.
This is barely a four, but still just slightly too good for a three. I liked the first half, but the second half kinda lost me, which made this a little hard to rate. Don't really have much to say about it. My favourite song was Show Girl.
sound mixing makes it hard to hear the singer sometimes. there's some bland stuff in here, but there's also a lot of excellent guitar riffs and catchy tunes. pleasantly surprised by most songs even if nothing blew me away
It's interesting to get some Britpop obviously inspired by Marc Bolan, that isn't a usual suspect when it comes to this genre. There are other influences here, obviously, but I'm glad this album chose the whisper-y sounds of Pulp rather than the whining of Oasis when it comes to Britpop, as it makes it so I love the sound of this album so much more. It's all jangly and earnest without being boring, and I like the lyrics, they're suprisingly engaging. This is literally right next to being a five star, but I think it just needs that next little push to be something amazing. Until then, I am very intrigued by this band, and will be keeping them in mind for future reference. This is on the good side of britpop.
Interesting record with a unique sound. Enjoyed it
i could handle being british with music like this. give me all the angst, overcast, and pints.
Very nice
I liked it! A new to me album that mixed in much of what I enjoy!
Album #47 I’ve never heard of this album or band before, so I went in completely blind (or is it deaf?). The album seemed like a counter to the Britpop movement with a post-punk vibe, but then I realized that it came out before the Britpop craze. The overall tone meshed well with my personal taste and I couldn’t think of a song that I disliked. On the other hand, a lot of it blended together and I’d have a hard time picking a favorite track or specific highlight. 3.5* rounded to 4* 4*
Definitely sounds like something I'd have in my collection
The Auteurs New Wave wasn't anything I rode at the time. They weren't on my radar to like or dislike but this is a good record. Listened to it through more than once and I enjoyed it so much I played their After Murder Park today as well. To be honest, I appreciate the darker, heavier After Murder Park more than New Wave. But I can see New Wave having a greater appeal to most listeners. It is cleaner, more contained and polished. In essence, it is more "pleasing" — which tends to draw in more listeners.
At first I thought that this album was almost great but was really just OK. Show Girls was decent but Bailed out and American Guitars were mediocre. Junk store Clothes started to turn this album around, with Housebreaker and Valet Parking being strong closing songs. I still think the songs and the album as a whole are missing something to make it a really great album but a very good first outing by a new band.
Very solid album. I liked a lot of songs, my favorite is probably either show girl or star struck
Catchy melodies, decent vocals, and overall is a pretty good listen. Nothing really jumped out as "play on repeat", but it's still good for what it is. I'd definitely listen to this again, but I can see why it didn't do better than it did upon release.
HL: "Show Girl", "Bailed Out", "Junk Shop Clothes", "Subculture" (hidden track) The name & album cover put the word "pretentious" in my head before I heard a second of the Auteur's music. It's pretty enjoyable for the most part. Actually I enjoyed pretty much every song, even though Luke Haines's vocal stylings are typical to a lot of 70s glam & 80s synthpop from England. Sounds like OMD if they were more interested in T-Rex than Kraftwerk. If I sound like I'm complaining, I'm not Also several of the songs ("Show Girl", "Starstruck", even "Bailed Out") allude to acting and the stage, which appeals to me September 25, 2023
Brilliant obscureness
Buen disco de rock alternativo. Gratamente sorprendido. Buena voz, melodías y ritmos
Solid album
Never heard of these before but really enjoyed this tbf
Not a band I was familiar with, but I enjoyed it and could see coming back to it. Wondering if they had some influence on A.C Newman/ The New Pornographers. Favorite Song: Don’t Trust the Stars
Solid garage(ish) rock group I was not aware of with a nice swagger and punch to their sound. The production reminds me of Pixies and late period Smiths with most songs being driven with shimmering guitar chords against sharp crunchy leads all while keeping a dark playful tone. I really liked the different directions much of the songs would take so I was surprised quite often. Perhaps some John Cale influences going on?
Cool but not memorable.
Reminds me of another band 3.5
Enjoyed this a lot. One to listen to again
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.
New to me. Liked it!
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.
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
Boss Britpop!
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.
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.
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.
Love this project for discoveries exactly like this one. This album is beautiful and so dreamy 8/10 Fave: Starstruck
4.5
Indie pop, parecido a Crowed House, pero más soft.
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
I am not sure how to describe this one but I enjoyed it twice. I will listen again.
expected to hate this as pretentious band and album name. first impressions actually great! 4
Maybe I was just relieved after listening to pantera but I’ll be generous and go with a 4 here. Solid Brit pop.
These guys are getting slept on
Reminded me of The Beatles at times! Pretty neat stuff. Highlights: Bailed Out Starstruck Home 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.
definite listen again
Cool and catchy
surprisingly good
Oddly enjoyable
Nice
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.
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.
Pretty cool post-punk album. No major complaints, other than it's not my favorite genre.
Nice early '90s alternative.
Had a decent vibe and was something easy to listen to
Such excellent bitchery.
Actually entertaining pop.
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.
Ja vet int va ni e på ja rocka me de
Unexpected and Great!
SUPER digging this album. Not a very unique sound, but one I enjoy.
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.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Show girl, How could I be wrong,
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.
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: 19
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
This is not new wave
Liked the whole album through. Simple but interesting.
Great to hear this again!
I'd never heard of this group before and really enjoyed the vibe.
Rock Indie.
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!
1993. Show Girl, How Could I Be Wrong
I’ve, very chill and enjoyable, I like the production very much
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.
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”
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!
Rather reminded me of Crowded House, and that's always a good thing.
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
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.
7/10
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.
This is a new album for me. I enjoyed it. Nice rocky sound good guitars fun lyrics
9/8 3.5/5. Cool grungy album. Standout Tracks: Starstruck, Valet Parking, Idiot Brother, Home Again
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
Good album, underrated artists 3,5/5
Not a huge fan of the lead singer. Good songs though.
It was fine. A couple interesting tracks.
Really like this album. Will listen to again. 90s. Good flow. Bit like A Death Cab for Cutie.
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.
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.
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
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
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
Brit pop at its best. Start of the genre in one of best possible ways, better than Blur (but not better than Suede)
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.