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Rating: The 1990s are a trio from Glasgow, Scotland, under contract with Rough Trade.
Jackie McKeown and Jamie McMorrow, two of the three original members (singer and bassist, respectively), are former members of the indie band Yummy Fur, which also included Alex Kapranos and Paul Thomson of Franz Ferdinand.
After a few opening gigs for the Babyshambles and Franz Ferdinand themselves, and after McMorrow's departure, they released last May "Cookies", a debut album produced by a major name: Bernard Butler, former guitarist of Suede, a fundamental band of 1990s English rock (as it happens).
Perhaps hastily defined as the designated heirs of Supergrass, their music, rather than recalling the nineties, decisively veers toward the seventies, keeping as an essential and indispensable reference point the Rolling Stones, especially in certain "sloppy" guitar riffs (see the excellent singles "You Made Me Like It" and "You're Supposed To Be My Friend"). Lou Reed (explicitly mentioned) also makes more than one appearance. And from the nineties, you might ask, what do they draw? It's quickly answered: the early Blur (listen to the typical choruses of the pop ballad "Arcade Precinct") are very present, along with various bits and pieces taken here and there from English pop-rock of the last fifteen years (Teenage Fanclub comes to mind, whose bassist, incidentally, has played with them). "Switch" is perhaps too blatantly Stones-like, but it works great; even when the tempo slows down, these guys know what they're doing, reaching a peak of excellence in the ballad "Weed", beautifully marred by a great electric solo.
In general, Butler's production is not overwhelming at all and focuses on essential lines (the always reliable guitar/bass/drums trio).
In short, the debut of the 1990s is convincing. For those who want to enjoy them live, they will be in Italy this month for three dates; on the 15th in Roncade (TV), the 16th in Bologna, and the 17th in Fucecchio (FI).
Key tracks: You Made Me Like It, See You At The Lights, Weed
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 You Made Me Like It (03:10)
You made me x 5
I get it can't you see it all over my face?
a-ha
I tried to hide it
but I kept in covered in case (?)
cause I liked it
I've got a green light
I'm glad we had the party at your place
oh yeah
It didn't feel right
turning back to Amber
Red light
Red light smells the danger
ah ah ah ah ah ah ah you made me x 3
Tv cheats, herbal tea, money back guarantee
Ladytron, Lady Dia
How'd you make your baby cry?!
FTQ, FTP, Bobby Dees and Mozambique
Me? I'm on Decatur Street
you made me x 3
Dancing on the ceiling dancing on the floor
you made me like it
more and more x 4
You made me like it
I tried living in a movie
seemed like bad TV
And then you walked on
barely said a line
you got an Oscar
and you gave it to me
well how about that?!
I'm glad we made the movie at your place
oh yeah
I got a red light turning back to Amber
green light
you made me like it x 4
Tv cheats, herbal tea, money back guarantee
Ladytron, Lady Dia
How'd you make your baby cry?!
FTQ, FTP, Bobby Dees and Mozambique
there's no one on Decatur Street.
Dancing on the ceiling dancing on the floor
you made me like it
more and more x 4
you made me like it
dancing on the ceiling dancing on the floor
you made me like it
more and more x 4
you made me like it
02 See You at the Lights (02:55)
Ba baba badabada
badabababababa badabada
Ba baba badabada
badabababababa badabada
Hey! It's gonna snow tonight
I know, I will be liking it
So let's go, let's go!
Step out of the house
Step into the white
Put on that dress tonight
The one your mom don't like
I'll see you at the lights
Ba baba badabada
badabababababa badabada
Ba baba badabada
badabababababa badabada
Hey! I saw your photograph
Oh no, did it make you laugh?
I said no! Oh no!
Street lights, too bright
Give me some now
Do me something to do,
With somebody like you
We could be in the sky
I'll see you at the lights
Ba baba badabada
badabababababa badabada
Ba baba badabada
badabababababa badabada
Hey! I'm deep inside of me
No lights on my Christmas tree
I said no! That's not a bar
Get out, to a bar
Get out like a blonde gets out of a car
How right you are!
You are my guard in blue
You are my boogaloo
You wear my favourite shoes
I see the light in you
Ba baba badabada
badabababababa badabada
I see the light in you
Ba baba badabada
badabababababa badabada (in you)
Ba baba badabada
badabababababa badabada
Hey!
07 You're Supposed to Be My Friend (03:38)
You're supposed to be my friend
We're supposed to get along
Hey, you're supposed to be my friend
That's right! Right?
It's hard to get you on the phone
You're never home!
You're never at my place neither
Well that makes two of us!
Well I request you be my friend
We'll spend some time taking drugs
In a bar
Or at home
In a jar, friend
But you're supposed to be
You're supposed to be
Supposed to be my friend
You're supposed to be
Supposed to be my friend
You're supposed to be
Supposed to be my friend
You're supposed to be my friend now
Beat me cheat me try and feed me
Lines you picked up from those trendy ladies
But always be my friend
'Cos you're supposed to be my friend
Yo start actin' like it!
I think I'll take the dog for a walk
Yeh maybe I'll meet up with some friends
Yeh maybe I'll meet up with some dogs
'Cos you're supposed to be
You're supposed to be
Supposed to be my friend
You're supposed to be
Supposed to be my friend
You're supposed to be
Supposed to be my friend
You're supposed to be my friend now
You're supposed to be
Supposed to be my friend
You're supposed to be
Supposed to be my friend
You're supposed to be
Supposed to be my friend
You're supposed to be my friend now
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By santi_bailor
No one ... CAN FORBID THE 1990S FROM HAVING FUN, AND THE BEST PART IS THAT IF YOU FORBID THEM, THEY WILL AT LEAST FART IN YOUR FACE (and I, drunk, with them).
The clear sensation is that of a water balloon on the guy in a suit, tie, and briefcase passing along the seafront. FUNNY.
