Manu Chao’s song Bongo Bong was everywhere around the turn of the century. Its distinctive ping and cod reggae rhythm is irresistible – at least at first. (more…)

Today marks the 54th birthday of one of the UK’s finest musicians, Richard D. James, better known as Aphex Twin.

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Whatever happened to Lisa Loeb? She came out of nowhere in 1994 and hit the Top Ten with her song Stay (I Missed You). And then… nothing. 

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Australian indie-folksters Frente! released this very different take on a New Order favourite on their 1994 EP Labour Of Love.

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It’s easy to sneer at Oasis: for their success, their ubiquity, their idiocy, their Beatles obsession, and a great deal of their music.

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Last night’s incendiary set by The Prodigy is the last one I watched at this year’s Glastonbury – and the first where I really wish I was there.

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Chastity Belt and 764-Hero play the same song, recorded 27 years apart by the two bands from the Pacific North West. (more…)

Back in the mid-’90s teenage all-girl quartet Fluffy flared briefly as Britain’s riposte to groups like Hole and L7 and Riot Grrrl bands like Bikini Kill.

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Whenever I’m in New York City, and wander past the Flatiron Building, this song comes into my head. Because at that point I am literally Walking Down Madison. Or, to be pedantic, Up.

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One of Britpop’s long-forgotten also-rans, Hopper had a moment after signing to Tony Wilson’s label Factory Too. But they disappeared as fast as they arrived. (more…)