Strangelove - Love and Other Demons (1996)

A relatively unsung gem from the Britpop era. Love and Other Demons kicks off with the gnarled, discordant guitar squall of "Living with the Human Machines", before settling on a noire, string-laden sound to accompany the album's themes of addiction and alienation. If that description reminds you of Suede, it should: Strangelove opened for Suede on their Dog Man Star tour, and Brett Anderson sings backing vocals on a couple of tracks here. They also opened for Manic Street Preachers just before Richey Edwards' disappearance, and for Radiohead on one of their first major tours. So clearly, they were in rarified Britrock company, and they had the tunes to back up the hype, but vocalist Patrick Duff chose wellness over rock stardom -- he'd been struggling with serious addiction and mental health issues -- and ended the band shortly after their next album came out.

Track listing:

1. Living with the Human Machines

2. Beautiful Alone

3. Sway

4. 20th Century Cold

5. She's Everywhere

6. #1432

7. Casualties

8. Spiders and Flies

9. Elin's Photograph

10. The Sea of Black

A futureless peep show

You should also hear:

The Auteurs - Now I'm a Cowboy (1994)

The Tears - Here Come the Tears (2005)

The Auteurs - Now I'm a Cowboy (1994)

Top-shelf Britpop with a seething anger bubbling underneath at all times. Been on a bit of a Britpop kick of late, but since I pretty much only know the biggest names in the game, that means I've just been listening to His n Hers, Different Class, and Dog Man Star over and over. So hit me with them hidden gems plz.

Track listing:
1. Lenny Valentino
2. Brainchild
3. I'm a Rich Man's Toy
4. New French Girlfriend
5. The Upper Classes
6. Chinese Bakery
7. A Sister Like You
8. Underground Movies
9. Life Classes / Life Model
10. Modern History
11. Daughter of a Child

There's nothing wrong with inherited wealth
If you melt the silver yourself

You might also like:

The Beautiful South -
Welcome to the Beautiful South (1989)

The Tears -
Here Come the Tears (2005)

The Tears - Here Come the Tears (2005)

The Tears were Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler, the main creative forces behind Suede's landmark first two records, and this record represents what is likely to be the closest we'll get to a reunion of that original lineup. I refuse to contribute any more speculation to the internet ether regarding the strained relationship between these two musicians. I will simply say that Here Come the Tears is a phenomenal record of glittering, glam rock-infused Britpop that, much like those first two Suede records, hovers directly above the thin line between opulence and glamour.

Track listing:
1. Refugees
2. Autograph
3. Co-Star
4. Imperfection
5. The Ghost of You
6. Two Creatures
7. Lovers
8. Fallen Idol
9. Brave New Century
10. Beautiful Pain
11. The Asylum
12. Apollo 13
13. A Love as Strong as Death

When you appear
I'll stick to your teeth