In defence of Britpop

It's a much maligned period in British music, but if nothing else, the mid-90's 'Britpop' era, when indie music suddenly entered the wider public conscience, was an incredible phenomenon probably never to be repeated.

With the recent triumphant return of Blur at Glastonbury/Hyde Park, coupled with the Oasis shows at Wembley, these two most prominent of acts have somehow escaped the transient 'Britpop' tag to write themselves into the historic annals of popular music, traced back to its origins - The Beatles, The Rolling Stones et al.

In fact, if you were to compare the 'Britpop' era with any from the past, it's most likely to be the swinging 60's. A time when the world looked to Britain for the leading cultural, artistic and fashion trends. Of course in the 90's only some of the adulation British guitar bands received was really justifiable.

For every Blur, Suede or Pulp, reflecting on the social issues of the time (be they sexuality, class or careerism), there was a Dodgy, Cast or Ocean Colour Scene, riding the coat tails of hype and proliferating mindless pap under an imitative banner.

'Britpop' eventually imploded, the catalysts an overblown, over-hyped 3rd Oasis album in 1997, Noel Gallagher's visit to Downing Street etc. etc. However, perhaps more simplistically, the 'party' like all good parties had to come to an end, the excesses well documented on albums such as Pulp's 'This Is Hardcore' or Blur's eponymous 1997 album.

It is undeniably true that there's much to despise from the legacy of Britpop - endless bands dismally failing to recapture Oasis' spirit, ladism, political parties appropriating 'Cool Britannia'. You could even argue that it set the progress of popular music back some 30 years.

However, those who sweepingly disregard 'Britpop' are mistaken too. For all the evils, in essence it was an incredibly creative period of pop music which took indie/guitar music to a new, more exposed level. An exposure from which us fans are still benefiting some 15 years later.

From those who laid the foundations (The Stone Roses, The La's), to the household names perhaps even more popular now than then (Super Furry Animals, Radiohead), Britpop bands at their best, could capture the very essence of life in Britain.

If in doubt, listen to this Spotify playlist. It may only include a handful of bands from the plethora peddling their wares at the time but you just have to pick the best and discard the rest. Feel free to add to it, just don't expect me to tolerate 'Menswear'!

Cut Some Rug - Spotify Playlist