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How many things did the new British invasion of the nineties give us?
MANY. What fascinates me most about the musical generation of the nineties is that, first and foremost, the overly flashy artistic policy of the eighties had already become a nuisance; and among those young people, there was a renewed passion for what was considered "old" rock and the exaltation of the icons of the '60s and '70s.
These factors brought America back to unleash its raw rock once again through grunge and the dusty movement of nu metal (which, nonetheless, had excellent bands).
England, on the other hand, rediscovered its musical patriots and produced a series of bands like Oasis, Pulp, Blur, Suede, Radiohead, KulaShaker, Chemical Brothers, Verve, etc., etc. There were expressions for all genres, and there was a return of a desire to "try to write something great." However, the artistic vein of these bands eventually faded, and Brit Pop died, paving the way for a truly forgettable Teen Pop era. There would be room again in 2005 for the return of the British invasion, but that is another story.
Anyway, Brit Pop '90 was fast, too fast, and focused only on the biggest and best-selling names. It's true that the melodic power of Oasis or Blur was too strong not to be the center of attention, but there were indeed some very interesting bands with similar compositional skills that remained "hidden."
One of them is Ocean Colour Scene, and I've decided to review this collection because I believe it is illustrative of what they were capable of and the great injustice towards them. There are truly beautiful pieces here, many indeed; there are pop rock gems that should be listened to and recognized more widely. The collection starts with "Riverboat Song" and introduces us to the musical concept of the OCS. They were a band that set themselves apart from others with their taste for "playing," not just chords and melodies, but also for the care of riffs and the musical background (Suede comes to mind) unlike other bands that, in good English Beat style, focus exclusively on the accompaniment of the voice. That being said, we're talking about a band that plays, and plays well (we're not talking about monsters here). It continues with "The Day We Caught The Train," unveiling a beautiful stadium anthem (in my opinion, the group's masterpiece). We also have wonderful ballads like "One Of The Road," "Better Day," "Huckleberry Grove," and "Robin Hood." As we proceed through the tracks, arranged in almost chronological order, we notice some emulation of the Rolling Stones in the early days, eventually progressing to a more "sunny" rock in later years. I should mention the psychedelic track "July" and the dramatic "Profit In Peace," another stadium rock anthem. But this is not a band that stops at a collection; their albums like "Moseley Shoals" or "Marchin' Already" from their early Brit period and those of maturity like "Mechanical Wonder" are also beautiful.
Unfortunately, many have forgotten them, but surely it's not the fame of a band that determines its greatness. Even if not extremely famous, this group was an excellent example of the compositional fervor of the early nineties. The downside of this whole movement is that it might not withstand the test of time, and we may only remember the more famous bands. In any case, here are beautiful songs to listen to at least once to understand that when the British set out to make rock, they are always truly exceptional.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Hundred Mile High City (03:53)
So I said I'm on the roam so I need a car
And I know that I'm getting alive
And I say I got faith and a season
And I say that's where I'm going to
I get a need and I'm wanting to please it
I gotta face and I'm wanting to feel it
The more I feel is the more that I need it
The more I need is the less I believe it
Well I want a good love by my side
Keep on getting out of love and my pride
And I know I keep hurting my love yeah
But I know it ain't killing
I get a need and I'm wanting to please it
I gotta face and I'm wanting to feel it
The more I feel is the more that I need it
The more I need is the less I believe it
So I said I'm on the roam so I need a car
And I know that I'm staying alive
And I know that my faith is in season
And I say that's where I'm going to
I get a need and I'm wanting to please it
I gotta face and I'm wanting to feel it
The more I feel is the more that I need it
The more I need is the less I believe it
I get a need and I'm wanting to please it
I gotta face and I'm wanting to feel it
The more I feel is the more that I need it
The more I need is the less I believe it
02 Profit in Peace (03:37)
All the people under broken homes
Don't wanna fight no more
All the people nursing shattered bones
Don't wanna fight no more
But there's no profit in peace
So we've gotta fight some more
And all these who are in foreign lands
Don't wanna fight no more
And all those who've lost their feet or hands
Don't wanna fight no more
But there's no profit in peace boys
We gotta fight some more
Hey we don't wanna fight no more
Hey, Hey, Hey, We don't wanna fight no more
But theres' no profit in peace
So we gotta fight some more
And all those just trying to play their part
Don't wanna fight no more
And all those who own a human heart
Don't wanna fight no more
But there's no profit in what you want
So we must fight some more
And all those who got an axe to grind
Don't wanna fight no more
And all those who got their burning lives
Don't wanna fight no more
But there's no profit in ever being right
So we must fight some more
Chorus
And all the people under broken homes
Don't wanna fight no more
All the people never going home
Don't wanna fight no more
But there is profit in the land you own
So we must fight some more
And all those who got a tired face
Don't wanna fight no more
And all those who are lost without a trace
Don't wanna fight no more
But there is profit in the love of hate
So we must fight some more
05 Get Away (09:23)
Well I used to be a listener There was nothing left to get About what you are And what you haven't been yet Some of them like to tell a story that is long and old And couch it in indifference and the wine that they were sold To get away Well someone's got to tell them that its not deserved Rehearsed or written down By playwrights over time Just picking up on a nerve And some of them got a difference That they reserve for you Well I like them all but I don't trust any of them Well shouldn't you Just get away Well I used to think My freedom was a lot of things I'd give Demanding on my time But I had so much time to give And I used to think that everything Was a knee in what you are But finding out the truth that hurts So I never went that far No I'd always get away Get away, away, away, away, away... It comes down to the fact That I'm now different from the past Demanding all my ideals Its just trying to make them last And some of the things that you say They're ringing home so true I hang my head out of the door And I follow you Yeah I follow you And I get away
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