Released: 1996
The Bluetones were an unexpected hit during Britpop, coming from apparently nowhere to rather big success (three top ten albums), though like many Britpop bands, followed by a later decline back to relative obscurity before splitting up.
I've got to be honest and say that when I first got this album (which reached number one in the album charts!) around the time it was released, I thought it was pretty terrible and got rid of it. But, thanks to the joys of Amazon Marketplace, I've been able to buy it again for a grand £0.01 (+ £1.26 postage).
Listening to the album again some 15 years later, it sounds a lot better to me now than it did then. Full of measured, intertwining guitar sounds rather than Oasis-like attempts at big riffs, The Bluetones sound more like you would expect a British indie band to sound.
The album starts off pretty well. The first four songs are all pretty good, though followed by a rather poor song, before a couple more good songs until track seven, smash hit single 'Slight Return', which got to number two in the singles charts and made the band. After that though, the album rather slumps on the final four songs.
While the album is good, though, it is very entertaining (track five, 'The Fountainhead', aside) and it's a disappointment that it turns so bland at the end. 'Slight Return', 'Bluetonic' and 'Cut Some Rug' (all singles) are the highlights though some of the other earlier songs on the album are good too.
Overall, this is certainly a lot better than I remember it and has been a pleasant surprise to listen too again, but is let down by a poor final third.
Rating: 3/5
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