Since there’s nothing better to do, let’s do a Britpop tournament. Me and other Panic Manual people have spent too much time thinking about this and we have come up with a tournament to crown a Britpop champion.
Before we get to the voting part (you can just click here to vote if you really want), let’s take a look at the bands we’ve selected. We’ve tried to seed them more appropriately, but really who gives a shit.
We broke up the bands into two posts, and this post will feature 16. Since we always maintain a less is best approach when it comes to actual quality content, we just have a blurb for each band.
We have also created a playlist with one song from each band.
Matchup 1
Oasis (1)
I stupidly bought a bucket hat once, not sure if it was because of Oasis or because I was an idiot. Either way, live forever!
Song: “Live Forever”
vs
Kula Shaker (32)
Way more famous than they deserved. “Hey Dude” was a good tune but their second best tune was their Deep Purple cover. May have superficially dove into Eastern Mysticism to separate themselves from the Britpop bands.
Song: “Hey Dude”
Matchup 2
Super Furry Animals (17)
Deserves points just for the most creative use of a featured musician – having Paul McCartney chew carrots and celery on the track “Receptacle for the Respectable.”
Song: “Juxtaposed with U”
vs
Ash (16)
In 2021 the gem that keeps Tim Wheeler ageless will dissolve, turning him to dust. This will give Ash a reason to release yet another Best Of.
Song: “A Life less Ordinary” – A very ’90s song that soundtracked a movie of the same name that features Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz, both at the peak of their powers.
Match 3
Elastica (9)
Justine……Justine Frischmannnn…from Elastica… (Insert video from star stories) . But also, Justine Frischmann ignited both Blur and Suede to great success and put out a killer album.
Song: “Stutter”
vs
The Auteurs AND Black Box Recorder (24)
Luke Haines had two outputs in the ’90s. Both were exceptional and underrated. In this battle, they will tag team in an attempt to overthrow Elastica.
Song:
The Auteurs – “How I Learned to Love the Bootboys”
Black Box Recorder – “The Facts of Life”
Match 4
Manic Street Preachers (8)
4 Real guys, we think Manics will do well.
Song: “A Design For Life”
vs
Black Grape (25)
Shaun Ryder’s post Happy Mondays band probably put out a better record then the Mondays actually did, not sure if Ryder or Bez remembers though
Song: “Kelly’s Heroes”
Match 5
Stone Roses (3)
If you asked half the bands here to name their influences, chances are Stone Roses would be one of them. Ian Brown also wrote the line ‘The dolphins were monkeys that didn’t like the land.’
Song: “Fool’s Gold”
vs
Embrace (28)
Originally compared to Oasis because they were also brothers and kinda wrote anthemic songs, Embrace never reached the heights expected of them, still their debut record was solid **** record. We’ll forget the dreadlocks phase that came with the follow-up album.
Song: “The Good Will Out”
Match 6
The Charlatans (12)
I like the Charlatans a lot more now that Tim Burgess is doing the twitter listening parties. A band that’s been through many ups and downs (including tragedy), it’s great to see them come out still intact.
Song: “North Country Boy”
Vs
Robbie Williams (21)
Purists will argue on his inclusion, but he is British, he writes pop music, and was big in the ’90s. His first two albums were perfect pop records. You know all the words to “Angel.” Robbie and Liam fought over Nicole Appleton. An indispensable part of the era.
Song: “Supreme”
Match 7
James (13)
James has given me some of the best live experiences of my life. Their music just lifts you off the ground and gives you a big warm hug. Criminally underrated act.
Song: “Tomorrow”
vs
Boo Radleys (20)
“Wake Up Boo!” is the perfect alarm music, just make sure you hit snooze before the horns kick in.
Song: “Wake Up Boo”
Match 8
Pulp (2)
This band transformed my life, so naturally they are the best. Big songs, the best lyrics and charisma all around. Who doesn’t dance to Common People?
Song: “Common People”
vs
Lightning Seeds (29)
Queue up ‘Change’ right now and it’ll instantly put you in a better mood.
Song: “Change”