New Three-Disc Brit-pop Compilation On the Way
4/30/2009 By Cam Lindsay

As if the Brit Box that Rhino released at the end of 2007 wasn't enough of a definitive statement — it came in an English phonebox for Christ-sakes — there is a new three-disc CD comp set for release in June that once again tries to tell the age-old story of the Britpop movement in the mid-'90s.

Titled Common People: The Britpop Story, the collection will be released on June 8 in the UK, with a North American release in the wings. Obviously it includes Pulp and "Common People," their scene-defining anthem of 1995, but what it's missing, however, are Britpop's two most headline-grabbing acts: Blur and Oasis.

It seems like a ridiculous oversight (much like the absence of Ash), for sure, one that should automatically void the cred of this set but looking over the tracklisting, it's difficult to argue that the compilers didn't nail the supporting cast of that era and slightly beyond. Marion? Powder? Salad? Too right.

Also included are the expected contributions by key players like Elastica, Cast, the Bluetones, the Boo Radleys, Supergrass, Sleeper and of course, the whipping boys of Menswe@r.

Further boosting its value is a set of sleevenotes written by Bob Stanley, who was a regular contributor to Melody Maker during the Britpop era, not to mention one of the brains behind the brilliant Saint Etienne, whose "You're In A Bad Way" is included on the first disc.

Tracklisting:

CD1

The Auteurs "Lenny Valentino"
Elastica "Stutter"
Gene "Be My Light, Be My Guide"
The Stone Roses "Love Spreads"
James "Laid"
Dodgy "Staying Out For The Summer"
Saint Etienne "You"re In A Bad Way"
Dubstar "Stars"
Black Grape "In The Name Of The Father"
Duffy "London Girls"
Marion "Sleep"
These Animal Men "Speeed King"
S*M*A*S*H "Shame"
Cast "Alright"
The Bluetones "Slight Return"
Perfume "Lover"
The Boo Radleys "Wake Up Boo!"
Menswear "Daydreamer"

CD2

Pulp "Common People"
Supergrass "Alright"
Sleeper "Inbetweener"
Echobelly "Great Things"
Powder "Afrodisiac"
Northern Uproar "Rollercoaster"
Paul Weller "Thechangingman"
The Divine Comedy "Something For The Weekend"
Babybird "You"re Gorgeous"
My Life Story "12 Reasons Why"
Denim "It Fell Off The Back Of A Van"
Kula Shaker "Tattva"
Mansun "Wide Open Space"
Salad "Drink The Elixir"
Placebo "Nancy Boy"
Longpigs "She Said"
Ocean Colour Scene "The Riverboat Song"
Shed Seven "Chasing Rainbows"

CD3

Super Furry Animals "God! Show Me Magic"
Suede "Trash"
Kenickie "In Your Car"
Theaudience "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed"
Catatonia "Mulder And Scully"
Space "Female Of The Species"
Embrace "All You Good Good People"
Gomez "Whippin" Piccadilly"
Geneva "Into The Blue"
Rialto "Monday Morning 5:19"
The Seahorses "Love Is The Law"
Hurricane #1 "Step Into My World"
Monaco "What Do You Want From Me"
Spearmint "Sweeping The Nation"
Lodger "Always Round Here"
Earl Brutus "SAS And The Glam That Goes With It"
Stereophonics "The Bartender And The Thief"
Gay Dad "Oh Jim"
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