There's a disatisfied-with-England streak running through most of Britpop: Blur's post-Kinks smirking, Supergrass's youthful otherness, Oasis's general sneering, etc. etc. but this takes it to the next level, this is just *miserable*, and all the more British for it I suppose. Mis-Shapes comes out swinging, but the rest of the album's a halfhearted grimmace, a sardonic sulk, loathing pointed inward and outward in equal measures.
The hits are well-earned. Common People: staggering, oily brilliance. Disco 2000: heartbreaking beauty.
But everything else is "look at the horrible man this world has made me" or maybe "look at what a pathetic bastard I am, and aren't I just like everyone". Underwear in particular seems like a misstep, taking that forlorn sketch from Disco 2000 and running the puppy love smack into uncomfortable rapeyness. I don't know if these are supposed to be sketches of a rogue's gallery of British stereotypes that just happens to be told in the first person, but a nearly completely unlovable protagonist takes shape thenabouts.
Musically, it's lush and inventive, and this is great commentary in places, and man, those two songs really are classics. It's probably even a really good album, but god, is it joyless, like a PT Anderson movie where you go "wow that was good. I'm really glad it's over." 2.5/5
ps sorry Robin
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