I opened up my iTunes, went down through my library, made up a cover and have decided to share it with you all.
Without further ado...what I consider to be the most Essential Brit Music.
You can download the mix HERE (until it expires). So get it while it's still available.
Tracklist:
Track Breakdown
Track One: "Acquiesce"
Artist: Oasis
Why It Matters: Say what you will about Oasis being a staple of the 90s, but they're still relevant. Oasis toured the US earlier this year to sold out crowds...and are continuing the tour within the next few months. They also gained huge points by selecting my most favorite person ever -- Ryan Adams (and his band The Cardinals) -- to open the tour. (What's the Story) Morning Glory is my favorite CD, but "Acquiesce" off of 'The Masterplan' is amazing. The song opens with samples of "Morning Glory" off the aforementioned CD. Amazing. Oasis reminds me of New York City for personal reasons...which makes me nostalgic, but sad at times.
Track Two: "Helicopter"
Artist: Bloc Party
Why It Matters: This song was featured on 'Guitar Hero' when the game got huge. The first night I ever played the game, Kate and I couldn't beat this level for the life of us...and all I could remember for days were the guitar and bass riffs. Some people say this song is supposedly about George Bush Sr. and his wonderful son, but it doesn't matter. I dare you to get the music out of your head.
Oh. And the next time we played the game, we kicked this song's ass, the first time around.
Track Three: "Burn Baby Burn"
Artist: Ash
Why It Matters: Ash is one of those bands that I discovered by accident in high school. I used to spend a lot of my time at an old friend's house and we'd watch MTV2 and Much Music pretty much non-stop (I only had basic cable, so I lived on these channels back then). This song was played over here, but never really caught on in the mainstream...but years later, I still love it. The CD the track is off of (Free All Angels) is also a great CD. Check it out.
Track Four: "London Calling"
Artist: The Clash
Why It Matters: It's The Clash...one of the most influential punk bands to come out of London. Nothing more needs to be said on the topic.
Track Five: "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps"
Artist: Emma Bunton
Why It Matters: I'm not going to lie. I was one of those twelve-year-old girls who caught on to the Spice Girl craze. I saw 'Spice World' in the theatres. I had posters. I had shirts. It was really quite pathetic. I never really got into any of the girls' solo careers, but did download Emma Bunton's CD 'Life in Mono' just to hear it (she was my favorite Spice Girl). So imagine my surprise when I heard this song at the end of the CD. "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" is the theme song to 'Coupling' which is one of my favorite shows. She does a better job than whomever sings it for the show. So whatever. It made the cut.
((SPECIAL: Below is one of my favorite clips from "Coupling"))
Track Six: "Back to Black"
Artist: Amy Winehouse
Why It Matters: I love Amy Winehouse. She's a trainwreck. She's an addict. She's thoroughly fucked up in the head...and I love it. Her music is so different from anything else going on right now and her voice is incredible. So say what you want about giving an addict a bunch of Grammys. The girl's music definately deserves them.
(Yours truly as Amy Winehouse, pre-party in February 2008)Track Seven: "Mercy"
Artist: Duffy
Why It Matters: I really wasn't into this song until I saw the dance that Mia Michaels did to it on "So You Think You Can Dance." After that, I was hooked. Duffy's whole debut CD -- Rockferry -- is just as incredible. Plus, Britney Spears loves her music. Clearly, Brit and I should hang out.
Track Eight: "Come Around"
Artist: M.I.A. featuring Timbaland
Why It Matters: Sure, M.I.A.'s been huge lately thanks to the success of "Paper Planes." While that song is pretty awesome...this song is the best on her 2nd CD "Kala." I have no idea really what it's about (I think it's urban Indians...but I really have no idea. She goes from a chorus about clubbing to talking about Indians. I don't get it), but I love it. I love the hooks and the chorus. It's too damn catchy.
Track Nine: "Behind Blue Eyes"
Artist: The Who
Why It Matters: Neff's in love with The Who. I know that. So I won't even spout off some bullshit here. The song is awesome. The Who are legendary. Listen.
Track Ten: "DARE"
Artist: Gorillaz
Why It Matters: Back when I was a Lady of 1615, we used to have these awesome dance parties -- Honkus, Neff, and I...and occasionally James. This was one of our favorites. The Gorillaz are one of those bands that is just so different -- from their animated premise, to their member make up (Damon Albarn from Blur...etc.), to their beats. What they do is just so different. Yet again, Britain stays a step ahead of music from the States. Plus, when I had my wisdom teeth out and was high on vicodin, I would listen to their first CD over and over and over. I listened to that CD so much, that I wore it out in a few short weeks. High on vicodin or high on dance parties, the Gorillaz hold a special place in my head.
Track Eleven: "King of Pain"
Artist: The Police
Why It Matters: The Police are one of my favorite bands. I love them and I love Sting's solo career music. "King of Pain" is one of those songs where the lyrics are just so heavy, full of imagery and easy to relate to. Plus, Brandston did an awesome cover of this song. Fuck Puff Daddy (PDiddy, Diddy, whatever) for ruining "Every Breath You Take."
Track Twelve: "Every Me Every You"
Artist: Placebo
Why It Matters: This was another Neff influence from when we lived together in 1615. She was totally into these indie bands -- Muse, Feeder, Placebo...and I totally caught the Placebo fever. Their music is just so different...and for someone who listens to a lot of crappy pop music ashamedly, Placebo gives me a little more street cred. Or not. Whatever. Fuck you.
Track Thirteen: "Song 2"
Artist: Blur
Why It Matters: Before my brother became a redneck, he used to listen to some really awesome music. Okay, so he still does, but whatever. I can remember going on a vacation in middle school and he was constantly singing this song. Over. And over. And over. And eventually it made its way to me. As stated above, Damon Albarn is one of the creative geniuses behind the Gorillaz, but Blur is where he got his start. And this song (and band) are incredible.
Track Fourteen: "Rock Steady"
Artist: All Saints
Why It Matters: When Spice Girls fever caught the world, we saw boundless amounts of girl groups give it a go...and All Saints is the one British girl group who -- to me -- are still as good today as they were years ago. Their music may not sell as well as it once did when the market was saturated with girl groups, but their sound is still progressive. "Rock Steady" is off their last album "Studio 1" which was released in 2006 and it's amazing. The Spice Girls only released three albums (the third was a washout for me) and their songs get old to me, but All Saints still feels fresh to me. That could be because I didn't wear my CD player -- or my brain -- out with their music...but doesn't matter. This song is too damn catchy and the video is freaking amazing. Good work for a group that keeps breaking up, but manages to get back together to give it another try. Interesting side note, Nicole Appleton from All Saints it married to Liam Gallagher of Oasis...which officially brings this mix full circle.
