Confession time: I may love British TV, British movies, and British books, but I know next to nil about British music. Sure, I’ve got Oasis and a bit of Blur on my Touch. I even understand how putting those two occasional rivals on the same machine is a total contradiction. And I love Travis, David Gray, and New Order. Yet, English music magazines like NME are Greek to me. When it comes to downloading tracks by Muse, Kasabian, Bloc Party, or the Streets, I wouldn’t know where to start. And when a friend recently accused me of not being a real Anglophile because I don’t own anything by Elvis Costello besides the cut of “She” that’s on the Notting Hill soundtrack, I had to admit he was right.
So I’m putting it out there to you: First, can you be an Anglophile and not dig Elvis Costello? (Please say yes.) And second, what’s the best British music of right now? Make me a U.K.-themed playlist and I’ll be forever in your debt.
And don’t forget to check out the Bits and Bobs calendar for this week, after the jump…
addCredit(“Elvis Costello: Bill McCay/WireImage”)
Monday (tonight): The Apprentice U.K. debuts onCNBC at 9pm. 14 of Britain’s wannabe businessmen and ladies compete fora spot working underneath self-made millionaire Sir Alan Sugar. Watchto see if he nicks Trump’s signature “You’re fired!” or if he goes forthe more English “You’re sacked!” At 12:35am, Daniel Radcliffe andSteve Coogan guest on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Tuesday: Dick and Felix Francis’ new horseracing thriller Silks hits stores. Alfresco,a spectacularly funny 1980s sketch series starring then young ‘unsRobbie Coltrane, Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, and BenElton, finally debuts on DVD. The Britcom Gavin & Stacey premieres on BBC America at 9:40pm.
Wednesday: It’s Royals Night on BBC America with back-to-back airings of Diana: In the Name of Love and Prince Charles & Prince William: Royal Rivals? starting at 8pm. (And you thought you had daddy issues.) DVR the David Tennant-headlined Cassanova on PBS’ Masterpiece at 2am (check local listings).
Thursday: PBS goes a little Beatles crazy airing Great Performances: John Lennon’s Jukebox, Stuart Sutcliffe: The Lost Beatle, and Best of the Beatles beginning at 12:30am.
Friday: BBC America’s celebrity satire show Star Stories takes on the Madonna & Guy Ritchie romance at 9:20pm.
Saturday: Stay up until 3am to watch Dawn French and Duffy on The Graham Norton Show on BBC America.
Sunday: Shane Meadows’ A Room for Romeo Brass, featuring Paddy Considine, airs on Sundance at 10pm.
No playlist but I highly recommend Stereophonics and Primal Scream. Or log onto Paste Radio; they have a BritPop selection to help you sound in the know. And, I think Elvis Costello is a must for anglophiles and non alike.
Total Anglophile here–and while I respect Costello, not a huge fan of his music.
Some of these are a few years old but still my favorites:
Dry Your Eyes–the Streets
So Here We Are–Bloc Party
Tell the King–the Libertines
All My Friends (Franz Ferdinand version)–LCD Soundsystem
Black and White Town–the Doves
Ruby–Kaiser Chiefs
Hamburg Song–Keane
Hounds of Love (New Mix)–Futureheads
Wires–Athlete
Everyone Says I’m Paranoid–apartment
Can’t forget the Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse….
The Smiths… especially The Queen is Dead
I suggest you check out the rock band Artic Monkeys. They have 2 albums both quite good for such a young group! Some suggestions: “Brianstorm” and “when the sun goes down”.
I can’t speak for “now” Brit music, but you really should have Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Joe Jackson, and Cliff Richard upon your artists.
Need I even go into the NWBHM? Def Leppard (pre-”Hysteria”), Diamond Head, Iron Maiden, etc…
I meant among. Jeez, where is my head today?
Robbie Williams. Particularly the albums “The Ego Has Landed” and “Sing When You’re Winning”
Ian Durry and the Blockheads – Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick
Anything by Franz Ferdinand, Keane, Snow Patrol, or Bloc Party.
Muse! Start with the Absolution album and make your way through Black Holes and Revelations.
Muse is a non-negotiable. Key tracks from their last album are “Knights of Cydonia,” “Starlight” and “Supermassive Black Hole”. Can’t go wrong with any Franz Ferdinand, and they’ve got a new CD coming out sometime in the near future. *cheers*
If you prefer your music a bit mellower, Keane and Travis are good choices. And the almighty and powerful Robbie Williams is always needed on a Brit-list. “Sexed Up” and “Tripping” are really fun, as are “Rock DJ” and “Let Me Entertain You.” A bit dancier? Mika or the Scissor Sisters. Even though they’re American, the Sisters have a much larger following abroad than in the US.
Oh yeah. Sugababes! Good Britpop girl band. They’re so adorable and fun… and not played at all in the US. Why, I’m not quite sure. But “Push the Button”, “Hole in the Head” and “About You Now” are all worth hearing.
One British act worth checking out is a guy named Ben Garrett who records under the name Fryars. He’s got two EP’s out, both of which are worth owning. Two tracks that are especially good: “Madeline” and “Happy”.
Sharon has a good list going, but I’ll add a few:
Arctic Monkeys- Mardy Bum
Bloc Party- This Modern Love, Signs, Song for Clay
The Boy Least Likely To- I see spiders when I close my eyes
British Sea Power- Atom
The Cribs- Men’s Needs
Field Music (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)- Sit Tight
Franz Ferdinand- This Fire
Hot Chip-The Warning
Klaxons- Golden Skans
Maximo Park (ALSO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)- Books from Boxes
Muse- Hysteria
Radiohead- Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
That’s a pretty good list. I may have copied some bands, but these songs are awesome and give you a good idea of what the bands are about. Field Music- really underappreciated and awesome, great tunes.
You can be an anglophile and not love Elvis!
Estelle – No Substitute Love
Wiley – Wearing my rolex
Skepta – Rolex Sweep
Taio Cruz – Like a Star
Dizzee Rascal – Dance with me
Donaeo – Devil in a blue dress
Kano ft. Craig David – This is the girl
Leona Lewis – Better in Time
Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Jay Sean – Ride It (also “Stay” is great)
Kano ft Craig David – Bad Boy
Craig David – She’s on fire
Gabriella Cilmi – Save the lies (good to me)
Duffy – Warwick Avenue
Here are some good now Brit bands which have great songs all around.
Elbow-Leaders of the Free World or Seldom Seen Kid;Stereophonics-Superman, Dakota; The Verve-Forth(new album kicks-out tomorrow); any Doves is great; Soundtrack of our lives ones; Artic monkeys have good ones; Oasis- Lord don’t stop my now