Friday 23 November 2007

'97 mentality

1997 vs 2007

Exhibit S

Meet Tiger. In 1997 Tiger released a bunch of sparky, odd-shaped, buzzing pop, to mild acclaim. But NME hounded them out of town because they wore mullets, played 2-string bass and put weird naive artwork (courtesy of frontman Dan Laidler) on their records.

Tiger - 'Race' (from We Are Puppets)

If their debut album, We Are Puppets, had been released in 2007, it would be in most critics' end-of-year polls. Why? Because it sounds a lot like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's second record (which will be just outside a lot of polls), only better.

Tiger - 'On The Rose'
(from We Are Puppets)

Tiger bio at Bar/none records

Exhibit T

Meet Ultrasound. In 1997 Ultrasound released a bunch of massive-sounding indie epics, filled with histrionic references to 'the kids' and the redemptive power of rock'n'roll. But NME hounded them out of town because their frontman was fat and half of their debut album, Everything Picture, was already available on various singles and EPs.

Ultrasound - 'Cross My Heart' (from Everything Picture)

If Everything Picture had been released in 2007, it would have topped most critics' end-of-year polls. Why? Because it sounds a lot like Arcade Fire's second record (which will be in the top 5 of a lot of polls), only better.

Ultrasound - 'Floodlit World' (from Everything Picture)

Previously on '97 mentality

1 comment:

Mr Rossy said...

Great post, Tiger were ace, it's funny that nme decided they didn't like em, even tho they were on the nme brat bus tour, hmmmm.....i love race and tinys belly from u sound