A Brit of All Right

If you date a Brit-pop fan, and have zero idea what to get them for the holidays, here ya go, the gift that keeps on giving. A bloody brill 4CD box set from those cheeky blokes at Rhino Records. Retails for around $52. The evolution of the Brit-pop movement (at least from '84 to '99), well worth the cash.

Box set: The Brit Box (Rhino)
In stores: Now
Why we care: We here at Pop Life have a strong desire to be British. And this 4CD set, subtitled UK Indie, Shoegaze and Brit-Pop Gems of the Last Millennium, only enhances our Anglophilic daydreams. Spanning from the early '80s to the late '90s, from the Cure, the Primitives and Primal Scream to Suede, Supergrass (click for a video) and Super Furry Animals, it's a must for anyone who craves jangly, gauzy, randy heart-sleevers.
Why we like it: We've always liked such '90s acts as James, Blur and Pulp (and Oasis, the Verve and Placebo) -- all of whom appear on this box set -- so it’s a thrill to discover such early '80s Brit-pop progenitors as the Primitives, the Pale Saints and the Charlatans UK (click here for video). Cool points go to Rhino for the blinky red-phone-booth design. (There's an on/off switch on the back of the box.)
Reminds us of: "There she goes, there she goes again, racing through my brain..."
Download these: April Skies (The Jesus and Mary Chain), Sight of You (Pale Saints), There She Goes (the La's), Here's Where the Story End (the Sundays)
Grade: A

Comments

[Sherrie]

I'm gonna have to check this out, I'm a big fan of all things British. Back in the late 80's there was a syndicated radio show on from midnight to two AM once a week called "Rock Over London" and I listened to it faithfully. As much of a fan of UK music as I am, you absolutely had me at the mention of the blinky red phone booth!

[Marissa]

Sherrie! I used to listen to that show. For it to come in clearly, I'd have to practically hang my boombox outside the window with the antenna facing just the right way. I loved it.

[GlennS.]

I've seen the track listing on this and they did a great job picking out key tracks, including a lot of my personal favorites.

(...and yes, I was also a "Rock Over London" fan back in the day...)

[Jeff in Cuba]

A tasty compilation, but a little weak in my favorite sub-genre, Scottish jangle pop. The Trashcan Sinatras is a nice touch, but no Aztec Camera? No Orange Juice? There's just no love for the other side of Hadrian's Wall.

[Sean Daly]

I'm a big Travis fan: jangly, mopey, Scottishy. They were totally overlooked on the box set. Fran Healy is an underrated talent, a one-hit-wonder statesward, but a Brit-pop champ closer to home. "Indefinitely" and the "Humpty Dumpty Love Song"? Brilliant.