Reviews (page 6 of 8)
It’s always interesting listening to music from a time period that I love, but I have never even remotely heard of the band. This is some moderately good alt rock that drips 1993. Maybe in some parallel universe, this album is talked about over 30 years later like it resides in Valhalla. Parallel universes will warp your mind if you think about them too deeply, just like the concept of eternity. Go read “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig for more on that.
Um, is he dissing thrift shopping? Blasphemy! That aside, I couldn’t really get into this. It felt kind of bland and boring and I’m not surprised I haven’t heard of this group.
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
Perfectly serviceable indie pop. Every track does the job.
This was like a throwback to the 80s.
New Wave met Ronnie Flex?? Deze is wel heel underground Geen slechte muziek
I would so like to like this but I wasn't there at the time and it seems like such a chore to trackback over something that doesn't hit me between the eyes from day one. It's not unpleasant but I've heard so many bands like this in the 80s let alone the 90s.
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.
This album was hugely, ok. Nothing stood out for me. Nothing bothered me. I appreciated that it was not pop, but it did not pop. Not great, and not grating.
I mean this is fine but not outstanding in any way at all
Jeg blev overraskende glad for det her album. Om det ligefrem er nødvendigt at høre inden man dør er jeg ikke så sikker på... 2. Gennemlydt tænkte jeg flere gange at instrumenterne stjæler alt shine, og den eneste bæ i blomster busken var vokalen. 🤷
Det kan noget når jeg lige vender mig til vokalen. Men jeg fik ikke lyttet nok til at jeg blev helt fanget ind. Helt sikkert noget jeg skal prøve at lytte mere til
pretentious and annoying
3-
Soft rock - easy listen. Not very interesting.
Beetje saai
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.
New Wave is unremarkable, not notably bad, not memorable, holds a tune but not much variety, singing fits their desired style but doesn't excite me, not worthy of a place on the list. 2.
Possibly the ponciest band name that we've had so far? I quite liked the album though, but wasn't particularly memorable. Definitely sounds more modern than 1993, could easily have been released in the 2010s I think judging by the sound. Show Girl was a decent enough opener, had high hopes at that point, but unfortunately that was as good as it got. a low 3/5.
All right, but not great
Fairly insipid indie. Not bad, but nothing special.
Boring and totally unremarkable.
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 band. This record was fine enough, pretty poppy with elements of like chamber pop and glam in it. Interesting enough, but at the end of the day, the Britpop is just not for me.
Harmless and toothless - they weren't for me when I was an obsessive indie kid of 23, they definitely haven't aged as well as I have for the past 30 years
In various reviews people have complained about a percieved British bias on this list. Mediocre crap like this seems to prove this bias, why is this on this list? It is not original, interresting or influential so again why is this on this list?
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
i’ve been meaning to listen to this for a while now after i heard Show Girl a few years ago. because of that, i was expecting to like this more... while i did enjoy it on a basic level and would listen again, it can be pretty dull lol 3.5
"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.
Correcto.
Never heard of 'em before. I was kinda into it. It might warrant more listens.
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!
Here’s another album I’m not sure why it’s on the list. Could blend in with another few hundred albums from this era. Was it bad? Not really. Did anything stand out as great? Also not really. 2.75
The production is tight, but the vocals on some of the songs are very difficult to understand.
idk it was fine
ei ole klikkien takoamis albumi ainakaan.. heti saa tietää mitä on luvassa... new wave ... perkele.. klikkien väistämistö enemmänkin heh.. ei voi sius liikaa valitella.. en hallunnut nirhata, vilppiä tässä ei ollut. ei mitään vilunkia ollut tässä mukana.. ketunpeliä ei pelattu kaikilla palloilla tänään.. se tässä oli selvää. valet parking
I'm legally obliged to remind you that I hate Beatles every time I hear something Beatles-like. But this was suspiciously fine, I started liking it towards the end. I hope it's not a gateway album, don't want to end up on the streets doing dodgy things for quick money to buy another Beatles record
some parts more listenable than others
It's... competent. Definitely not the stuff I was listening to in 1993. Don't think I'll seek it out again. Why is it on this list? Because it's "the first britpop album" in the wave that gave us Oasis? I don't get it.
Not really finding much to get excited about this album. Pretty repetitive choruses. The overall sound is kind of bland. Feels like there are so many rock albums on this list, this one is relatively forgettable by comparison.
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.
I had never heard of this band, but quite enjoyed this. I really dug Show Girl, How Could I Be Wrong, and American Guitars.
Honestly okay
At this point there are too many British albums on here. This was not needed. I don’t care if people think this is what shaped Britpop.
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.
Ok, nothing earth-shattering but nothing too annoying either.
Not bad. Good sound, nice dynamics.
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.
Started out sounding like something I’d really be into, but it didn’t hold up. The singer’s John Lennon impression gets pretty tired after awhile and there’s nothing really special about any of it.
Bit dull. Indie. Meh...
2.5 because it apes everything before it but brings nothing new to the table.
meh
Indie pop, parecido a Crowed House, pero más soft.
Typical angsty alt-rock stuff. Not terrible but not interesting to me.
it was pretty chill and calming
I'm quite into this. Needs some repeat listens. Luke Haines seems to want to recast himself as a sort of rakish, silent-era matinee baddie. Not sure if that's entirely successful but it is fun.
Very Big Star with a Smiths and Britpop edge
I enjoyed it but nothing really stuck out to me
Pretty good, kinda got Bowie vibes, middling 3.
2 much brit pop
Een album genereren dat geen britpop is (onmogelijk)
I’m struggling with how to review some of these middling albums. There was nothing wrong with this one, per se, but nothing particularly stood out to me either. I’m left again wondering why I MUST listen before I die.
It was ok, kind of underwhelming but very listenable. I can’t think of one song I’d have to play again. Lead singers voice kind of irritated me.
Interesting sound, pretty decent album
What am I supposed to get from this? The lyrics are inane. The vocals annoy even me, which is difficult given my affinity for emo in all of its forms. There are one or two jams on here, but maybe not something I needed to hear. Call it a 1.5, and I'm feeling very generous. Favorite track: "How Could I Be Wrong"
Pretty big Britpop fan but just didn’t gel with this album
Listened to this while playing Nusfjord solo. I achieved a personal high score! I had never heard of this band before, but the album cover was intriguing. Meh. Not bad...but certainly not one of the best 1001 (or 1086 or whatever it is.) I really really want to hear Idiot Brother covered by Destroyer. It would be the perfect match. Sorry...only a 2. Not because it was bad, but because it was just not essential enough. Wait...is the lead singer Destroyer? It sounds like him dialed down to a 4.
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?
Meh
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
Meh
Solid indierock, but not really standing out
Some quality but overall too much of the same with nothing really standing out.
Good I guess? But kind of forgettable.
Melancholy, minor keys, repetitive guitars. Some early U2 sounds in some songs. Not my thing.
The foundations of Brit-Pop.
There’s so much great music of all genres and decades, but so far my list of albums from the 90s have been dominated by Britpop schlock. It’s fine, but “fine” isn’t a word that I would use to describe one of the 1001 most essential albums of all time.
I listened to it but I cannot recall anything outstanding.
That’s the way to do a soft male voice without sounding like he’s whinging (take note Coldplay and friends). Not to my taste but bearable quality.
Yeah, starts off similar to Suede - I never really liked Suede. Picks up a little pace and interest on the home stretch but too little too late. Maybe it was slightly ahead of its time but it generally a bit forgettable.
Genre: Rock Instruments: 1/5 Modern Translation: 2/5 Dance Potential: 1/5 Listening Location: Driving from Lara Heard it before: No Favourite Song: Home Again Made me feel: This was relatively easy to listen to but little variety in the album. Wouldn't turn it off if it was playing in the background, but also wouldn't choose to put it on.
Album starts with a bang with "Show Girl." I really enjoyed the sound. For me, it kind of slowed way down, with "Junk Shop Clothes" making me want to just turn the record off. I enjoyed the guitar in "Idiot Brother"
Interesting alt rock is how I would describe this. Kinda reminds me of radiohead a bit.
Indie, britrock, easy listening, mid, male, simple but good, nice flow, strings and keys floating around, but slightly boring and not impressive for more than 3 stars
“I want Oasis” “We have Oasis at home” Oasis at home…
They have a very good sound going here. It does kind of all blend together, though.
Nice sound. Didn’t understand a whole lot, but it was good background music
I don't think I've heard any music from this band before, so I'm glad I got the chance to listen to this album today. I enjoyed it.
Definitely a early solo Morrissey vibe here. Not sure if that is good or bad. Even had a secret song at the end to lock in the 90s feeling. Not bad. Not great.
Pretty good
Boring. 2.
3+
Nasally 90s Brit rock that was mostly lame. Not much else to add.
A really good album that sounds way more "classic" than other albums of its time and place. Memorable songs with melodies that stick in your head. 3.5 stars
This album is pretty good 4 stars!
Sounds '80s and '90s at the same time.
I've never really heard an album like this before. Kind of unique sounding. I'm still wrapping my head around it. It's not really my cup of tea, but it's not going the places I expect it to go. Like, is this Britpop? what IS this? I'm not exactly enjoying it, but I'm just intrigued. 3/5 for confusion and general entertainment.
Their next album was much better but this is good and unique for Brit Pop Rock
норм, но не кажется что ещё сто прослушиваний улучшат впечатление
A good all around record, but nothing really stands out. A little replacements + husker du? Yeah, but not really anything crazy.
A kind of light weight brit pop, with delicate singing over it. The formula is pretty consistent throughout the album... a lot of it blending together. I think Show Girl and Housebreaker were the most memorable, though the album didn't have many highs or anything that was too unusual or challenging.
Nothing impressive but at least no harm done.
I wish I would have know them in the 90. Great album, going to listen to it again.
I mean yeah, sure. Like Andy said - wouldn't turn it off but probably also wouldn't think to put it on.
Wow, this was even worse than I had imagined it to be. Boring music, terrible vocals, songwriting that ain't half as clever as it thinks it is - 1993 in the mud!
just why. no need to listen to that. 4.5/10
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.)
Nobody is listening to this album and saying, "Ah, I can die happy now."
Indie. Ni fu ni fa.
Indie pop, parecido a Crowed House, pero más soft.
Good
Voice lacks range. Guitar are crisp. Too crisp ? 2 stars
01) Show Girl - 7,0 02) Bailed Out 7,0 03) American Guitars - 6,5 04) Junk Shop Clothes - 7,5 05) Don't Trust the Stars - 6,0 06) Starstruck - 7,0 07) How Could I Be Wrong - 6,5 08) Housebreaker - 7,0 09) Valet Parking - 7,5 10) Idiot Brother - 7,5 11) Early Years - 7,0 12) Home Again - 7,0 13) Subculture (They Can't Find Him) - 7,0 TOTAL: 6,96 (70/100) Here's another band I've never heard of. It's OK-ish. Unoffensive and pleasant listening but nothing more than that.
As a child of britpop I was amazed I'd not heard this. Seems like it came just before and paved the way for a lot of music that I love. Knowing that context means I'm inclined to be more generous, but putting it against its followers shows it to be a weaker album.
I probably should have paid closer attention to the lyrics because, based on the bio, I'm guessing this would have appealed more. As it is it just feels like some ok early-90s alternative brit-pop. 2.5 stars.. rounding up
meh
If you like the beatles but shittier in every way this album is for you.
Ruined my Wednesday morning
Neo-Glam gone wrong, not fit to lace Bolans shoes 2.5 at best
Couple of highlights but overall nothing special. 2/5
Largely forgettable last track was good
Some alright tracks but a pretty generic Brit pop album that doesn’t do much to stand out.
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
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.
Best Songs: N/A Listen Again: No
Too boring at the beginning, even thought of skipping this, but the second half is waaaay better
When i saw the album cover and the title i never thought It would be the kind of music that is in there. I mean, it's not bad at all, but it doesn't give you the surprising new stuff for a debut album.
My 11 year old loved it. It was pretty good background for driving and conversations.
I was really not into this at all. Each song was a bit of a struggle. Nothing that I hated about it necessarily, but I was very glad when it was over.
Better than most 90s British rock, but I hate most 90s British rock. I still wouldn't choose to listen to this again. 2.5/5
C+
nada especial, para mi gusto
New to me…had a very familiar sound. Got thru the whole thing…not my jam…won’t listen again.
Typical pop from 90's. Meh
absolutely standard 90s Britpop strumming.
1.5/5. Not very good. In fact, quite unenjoyable.
Fine but, ultimately, forgettable. Liked Show Girl and Early Years
Fine. Nothing really stood out to me other than it sounds like a precursor to The New Pornographers. A few songs into this album I found myself wanting to listen to TNP’s album Mass Romantic instead of finishing this album.
Maybe the mehiest album so far. There’s nothing wrong with it but literally nothing stands out. I’m guessing the guys in the band are brothers with the people who made the list.
That’s a three from me, dawg.
Huh... It's like.. Dark Bowie? I dig it.
Ganz nett. Kannte ich nicht. Zwei Sterne.
really good, hooky & literate
Un album doux comme un secret murmuré à l’oreille, très familier (T. Rex, un certain Eno)
Ummm, in theory I should like this more than I do. O but here we are!
funky, aber nid so min jam
something new, het mer gfalle, aber nöd ussergwöhnlich
Clean distortion and soft voices. Benign and without teeth. Musically, it was much better than I assumed it would be. The singer's voice sounds like Tal Bachman with a British accent. That is not appealing.
The first time I listened to The Auteurs’ “New Wave,” I let it fade into the background. That was the right move. I was not rewarded by a closer listen. Some of the guitars found a nice balance between clarity and fuzz, but the issue was Luke Haines’ vocals, especially when they were plaintively whispered. Haines was the driving force behind the band, who played guitar and piano in addition to the strained whispers. He also may have been the driving force behind the rise of Britpop. We shouldn’t thank him for that, and he wouldn’t want the thanks either. As Blur and Oasis far surpassed The Auteurs, Haines’ career stalled and it sounds like he became a bit bitter and rebellious. Britpop had some major ups and downs for me, but The Auteurs isn’t an up or one I want to return to. At the end of the day, it’s really the vocals that get in the way of everything else, which just wasn’t spectacular enough to make up for it. Like many British bands with barely-earned places on the list. The Guardian nailed it in a review of an Auteurs concert 10 years after “New Wave.” “This is all the more impressive because he can't sing. Twenty songs' worth of malevolence is conveyed in a baby's whisper, which has the perverse effect of emphasizing his disgust.”
This one grew on me. Or the album got better as the track numbers increased. Who knows. The album started off sounding like generic alternative rock music. Boring AF. But by Early Years, I was enjoying myself. I liked the hidden track to close it out too. They like to use dynamism in non-generic ways though like the sudden audio drop after the first line in Show Girl or the annoyingly slow triplets in Home Again. The dynamisms do not feel like they fit though, like they put generic rock through the unique dynamic filter.
Not bad
It's got a sound that you would think checks all my boxes - a relatively uncomplicated mix, decent production quality, interesting lyrics, jangly guitar sound.... but it doesn't spark me. Maybe it's the lead singer double tracking and his kind of nasally voice. I dunno. It appears this appears to be the first Britpop album to come out - but I'm kind of confused - I guess someone like XTC doesn't count? Show Girl and Subculture (the hidden track at the end of Home Again) are probably my favorites, but I'm going to award this one my first 2 star review.
Never heard of them. Instantly I feel that Brit pop wave but this is a little different. Vocals are interesting, kind of Bolan inspired. It gets kind of boring though. Thought I was going to like it more but it’s a solid 3/5. Not enough to be a 4 I think.
omg amazing
I like it! Nice suprise with this one, might actually keep it in rotation. Love: How Could I Be Wrong, Show Girl
Not so bad that I had to turn it off, but close
A distinct lack of emotion, I’m already tired of this genre of Brit Rock
Solid. A bit repetitive
AJ: Musically pretty cool. Vox are not for me. Show Girl was cool. But dude’s voice lasted 5 minutes for me.
Meh.
Eh, it was ok. Nothing special.
Feels like a reference point for a lot of bands I like
B- Show Girl 4 Bailed Out 3 American Guitars 3 Junk Shop Clothes 4 Don't Trust the Stars 3 Starstruck 3 How Could I Be Wrong 3 Housebreaker 3 Valet Parking 3 Idiot Brother 3 Early Years 3 Home Again 3 This was solid from an unfamiliar artist.
Pretty good mid 90s brit-pop.
Someone else called this Blur on Clonazepam and they're pretty accurate. The backing band is good, almost great. It could use a few more riffs here and there that are memorable. But the singer, Jesus. No thank you. There isn't anything lyrically or vocally interesting going on here.
Not sure this has stood the test of time. Very bland.
Likely a mixing issue but the entire record sounded very flat and drab. Sucked the life out of the album for me.
WHO MADE THIS LIST
Słabe nie lubię
This album doesnt do anything for me. Its not bad enough to rate a 1-star, but its so dull and british that I wont ever listen to it willingly again. 2/5
This was pretty good. Nothing mind blowing, but enjoyable. Feels like a solid 3.5.
I think it's time to let history forget the Brit Pop era of the '90's. There were a few moments, but we can go ahead stop pretending like it was ever a thing. I started this album thinking it's the best of said era, even suggesting that maybe the best of Brit Pop never hit in the States. I turned against it after four songs, it got old in a hurry.
Sounded so much like Destroyer, but not as interesting.
Similar feel to Oasis, maybe had some Beatles influence as well.
LOVED IT SO MUCH.
It took a bit to get into this, I liked the middle 5-7 and end 10-12 songs of this album. I'm not the biggest fan of the singers voice, I wish it went a little harder like in the song "How Could I Be Wrong". The instruments have song great points in this album nothing to complain there. I like lyrics and most of these lyrics on this album were a bit all over the place.
A pretty chill rock album, there wasn't a whole lot that stood out to me but it was nice.
Love the surfer alt pop vibes.
I liked the first song, the rest was just ok.
I don't know if this album influenced many britpop artists of the 90's, or whether they just sound like all of them, but I heard Ash, Long Pigs, Blur, Oasis, Elastica, etc, etc, etc, all throughout this album. If they influenced all those artists with this offering then they eserve some kudos but I suspect this is just another britpop - inidie offering. I found it uninpiring, middle of the road and, that worst slight of all, tepid. 2 stars bordering on 1. No. I'll give it a 1 as I'm never going to listen to this again.
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.
Favorite Songs: Show Girl Absolutely solid listen but not a single song that really stunned me.
It's not terrible but it's not really good it's just more brit-pop this time with some "indie" flavor or something. Never would have encountered this without the list, so there's that.
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.
Some decent songs, kind of all melds together. Decent
3/5 nice but not enough
I was hopeful for this album: a literate rock-group setting itself up against the conventions of the time sounds like my speed. But this did nothing for me. I found the lead singers voice to be half-baked, the music not exactly memorable or melodic, and the lyrics mostly bland. The cover is cool though. Disappointing.
# The Auteurs - Show Girl Overall Score: 2.86 -> 3 Favorite Tracks: - Subculture (Hidden Track) - Early Years - Junk Shop Clothes - Housebreaker - Show Girl ## "Show Girl" - 4:06 3.5*. Catchy, great levels and vocals. ## "Bailed Out" - 3:44 2*. Good levels and production. Just missing some driving force in the song. ## "American Guitars" - 3:31 3*. Driving, fun. ## "Junk Shop Clothes" - 2:42 3.5*. Wonderful. Great duet between the piano and acoustic guitar. Vocals are perfect. A bit Beatles-esque. ## "Don't Trust the Stars" - 2:25 3*. Great driving drums. Bassline is very good. Vocals are too breathy for me to give it a higher score. ## "Starstruck" - 2:59 2*. Nice. ## "How Could I Be Wrong" - 3:53 3*. Catchy. ## "Housebreaker" - 2:57 3*. Catchy. ## "Valet Parking" - 2:55 2*. Chill. I like the bells (xylophone?) on this track. Good lead guitar. ## "Idiot Brother" - 5:45 3*. Good alternative sound. ## "Early Years" - 2:40 3.5*. Good alternative sound. ## "Home Again" - 3:24 / 2*. Not bad, but repetitive a bit to me. ## "Subculture (They Can't Find Him)" - 2:13 (hidden track; it follows 20 seconds of silence after the end of "Home Again") 3.5* I love hidden tracks! This one is super catchy. My favorite track on the album.
Niet echt mijn ding, ook niet heel slecht. Hoor wel invloed op andere bands.
Wow I really hated this album. DNF
Interesting record with a unique sound. Enjoyed it
Enjoyed track: How Could I Be Wrong Not a fan of the rest, just not my genre.
I love 90s rock so much, this album did not disappoint!
i could handle being british with music like this. give me all the angst, overcast, and pints.
Hey look at me, I'm rating albums again! And this one was hipster which I like but a little too hipster at times and not hipster enough at others. It worked well in the background of work.
I listened to this album about a week ago, and all I remember is that I was going to give it a three. Don’t remember much else.
I'd never heard of this band. They seem a bit average to be on this list?
Alright, nothing special.
Uneventful 90s rock. I’m imagining David Brent was in this band before he got into the paper industry, he played guitar and co-wrote some of the songs. The lyrics were noticeably bad. I’m imagining whoever chose this for the list was around 16-19 when this came out, and they have some nostalgia for it that the majority of people who listen now don’t have. Get this off the list and restore some credibility to it.
Boring ass brit pop alt rock that sounds like a thousand other bands. Very influential zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
More melancholy road tripish music.
Nicely put together, but the songs were very repetitive and chorus wasn't too intriguing.
Very nice
Not bad but the songs were very similar. They all sound the same, except Home Again, which was better. Stand-out: Home Again
Decent grunge sound but nothing about the album was memorable.
Decent but pretty generic Brit Pop. Hadn't heard before and probably won't go back to it
I'm not sure why this is one of a 1,001 albums I need to hear before I die. Didn't really anything unique or inventive. This one goes into the bucket of maybe I missed something.
It was fine but I feel like I've heard better versions of this sound. I'm sure if I was in my teens again and putting in the listing hours it would grow on me.
meh. 1 star. won't be back.
i couldn't tell you why this album is here. sure, my ears didn't bleed, but new wave was not full of the new wave genre but instead that boring, unremarkable indie music of the aughts. i suppose the auteurs were ahead of their time, with this album's release in 1993. anyway, new wave's inclusion made sense once i read it was part of early britpop--and then i understood why i found it so boring!
Another Britpop/alt rock act. These are becoming a dime a dozen on this project, I gotta say. I've said it before, I'll say it again: a lot were influential in establishing the genre, but that doesn't mean they're prime examples of the genre. A lot of bands did the sound better. More room should be made for those artists and albums, rather than so many of these B and C listers.
Instrumentation is promising, good guitar lines, but spoiled by poor vocals and vocal melody lines.
Early 90's British rock
Meh.
Nice enough.
2 This is R.E.M and you can't change my mind
Mid pulp
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*
Pleasant enough Britpop with a strong Kinks influence. Sometimes the lead singer has a John Lennon-esque rasp. Sometimes he sings in a high-pitched warble. Neither mode particularly worked for me. The songwriting is decent but once the chorus came around on any given song, I felt like I knew everything that was going to happen musically. These are short songs but I still felt restless. Anytime the lyrics stood out to me, it was usually because there was a line I didn't like.
Ah it must be time for our weekly British Alt Rock album on this list. I'd wager we're up to between 50 and 75 in our (specific to our group) 450 or so albums generated so far. Ok enough bellyaching. It's an alright record. Not blowing me away. The vocals are just alright and in many songs the lead vocal is mixed so much louder than the rest of the band. Just Ok. 2/5.
This album might be the first example in this list that I’ve had an issue with the balance of. The band seemed to overpower the vocals often, which is a shame because the instrumentation felt quite standard, especially in comparison to the lead singer. All that said, this album was good enough, and successfully scratched the British rock itch. And I definitely appreciate the flow of the album, despite some of the structure within the individual songs feeling repetitive. Highlight: Don’t Trust the Stars Lowlight: Bailed Out Sneaky Hit: Home Again
Was worried it going to get a bit shoegazey, but brightened up
Definitely sounds like something I'd have in my collection
It's ok.
Sounds like every other band in 2023: that Cali white girl shit
I can see how this may have felt important in the 90s. It’s definitely different; I’m just not sure it holds up. The electrified acoustic on “junk shop clothes” sounds particularly dated. I am a hater of this general geoperiod in music, so take my review with some salt.
i’m really just so sick of british post-punk. this felt like eating air.
Ok but generic
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.
Starts strong then all just becomes samey
Not too impressed, kinda dull.
Seguimos con los LP coñazos. Me parece que me voy a dar de baja.
The Auturds.
Poor show.
i was going to write "au revoir!", but actually "piss off" is more appropriate since I'd prefer never to encounter this again
Блять че за хуйня где синты, басовые линии джой дивижн и бирн пердящий в микрофон нахуй 5/10
Fairly mediocre
The epitome of bland. It kind of felt like eating a plain, unsalted cracker. And can you imagine giving yourself this name? Ugh.
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
This album has some nice classic era alternative rock, but other than that, I don't really understand why it is on this list. There's some interesting stuff here and there, but, for the most part, it seems pretty standard for its time. Even the Wikipedia page has a quote describing this album as not being the band's best effort. It's not bad, but it doesn't stand out in any meaningful way that I can detect 3/5
3.5/5
I had never heard of this band or album going in. Nothing really notable or terrible about the music. Sounded as if they wanted to sound like the Beatles, but only the John Lennon led songs. I got tired of hearing that voice by the end.
Ganska bra men låtarna låter så lika.
Started ok, but didn’t ever seem to get going
Rather dreadful tbh. Maybe one or two decent songs, mostly a slog.
Brilliant obscureness
It was okay I think? I don't remember much of it. Why is it called New wave but it doesn't seem to be new wave?
Melodic indie rock. 3.5 rounded down to 3 due to not having any particular standout tracks.
Nope
This isn't great.
bland, forgettable, and dull.
Not a big fan of this one, enjoyed the instrumentals across the album though so upgrades it to a 2/5 for me.
Buen disco de rock alternativo. Gratamente sorprendido. Buena voz, melodías y ritmos
Easy listening. I especially like the instrumentals in this album. Nice surprise 3.2
This is some perfectly pleasant Britpop, very listenable, not very edgy. I respect that they were forerunners of the genre, though I assume unwittingly.
It's fine I guess, but the thing that really breaks it for me is when he does those weird little drum sounds with his mouth.
I am whelmed in Brit-rock.
Listened to it twice and that one star is a reminder not to listened to it again.
Solid album
Never heard of these before but really enjoyed this tbf
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*
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?
Only 1 song I really liked on here
Cool but not memorable.
Tää albumi sai mut kuvittelemaan, että mun nettiyhteys pätkäisi ainaki viis kertaa tätä kuunnellessa
Tää oli haasteen eka levy, jolta en ollut kuullut ainuttakaan biisiä. Levy oli aika mitäänsanomaton, joku muu on tehnyt tämän paremmin ja kiinnostavammin.
Show Girl was all right, but then it began to go downhill from there. Did not hate, did not like.
A bit meh to be honest - couple of stand-out songs but sounds an awful like lot an awful lot of other stuff
Reminds me of another band 3.5
I would classify this as "just another mainstream album of its time". I fail to detect the special about it.
Maybe I would’ve found this album more interesting if I’d heard it when it came out in the 90s. Sort of a Spin Doctors/James vibe, but not as catchy.
I like second rate Britpop as much as the next person. Unfortunately this is third rate Britpop. It passes my test of being not completely unlistenable, so saves itself from the indignity of 1 star to sit, comfortably, in the cold soup of 2 stars with all the other mediocre lift music.
Enjoyed this a lot. One to listen to again
I liked it
Perfectly inoffensive. Nothing much memorable about this at all. Like elevator music from the 90s.
This was surprisingly good. I can not shake the feeling off me that it was the singer from death cab from cutie.
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.
Annoyingly average album. I read somewhere, that New Wave inspired many artists in years after releasing it, but how could they be inspired by something so normal, or maybe even bland? Not one song stood out, I didn't like the music, and I really didn't like the vocal. Let's just forget about that album and quickly move on.
I liked this more and more as the album progressed through various shades of brit pop/ alt rock. No real high points, but no low points either. It felt somewhere between a 3 and a 4 star album to me.
New to me. Liked it!
a very middling album with not much substance, which given it is britpop that makes sense
Whoever the Britpop-loving motherfucker is on the board who decides these albums, I hope they get drawn and quartered when England completes its backsliding into mediæval feudalism once again. It tries its best to be quirky and satirical but it's just... it ain't got no legs. It's pleasant for a bit, runs out of steam early and it just turns into nothingness. Maybe he stole some bread. Pin him for that. 2.5/5.
1/5. Mostly boring. It’s airy and sweet but not worth listening to. It’s at best fine but I’d rather be listening to most anything else.
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.
I struggles to find a diamond in the rough here. Sometimes it is what it is, sometimes it’s just rough.
For fuck sakes, why are there so many shitty britpop/shoegaze artists on this fucking list. There is so much music more deserving of a spot on this list. This garbage was made by un-enthusiastic goth idiots. Sounds like they had no interest in being there. Shitty simplistic musical accompaniment, and nasally moany singing. I could have gone my life without listening to this stupid angst filled bullshit. Whoever put this list together needs their head examined. Fuck this album. There's 40 minutes of my life I'll never get back. No redeeming qualities. Utter trash. Favourite songs: Subculture (They Can't Find Him) (hidden track at the end of the album), Idiot Brother, Junk Shop Clothes Least favourite songs: Bailed Out, American Guitars, Starstruck... and others.. It was so bland I drifted off a few times 1/5
Cool