THE PERFORMANCE ENHANCER - 90S EDITION
DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER :
WHY 90S MUSIC ISN'T OVERRATED.
WORDS BY: AARON JOLLIFF
WASN'T THIS MEANT TO BE THE PERIOD OF BRITISH MUSIC AT THE FOREFRONT, THE RAPID EVOLUTION AND EXPLOSION OF DANCE MUSIC AND THE APEX OF CHEESY AND LIGHT-HEARTED POP AMONGST A WIDE SPECTRUM OF MUSICAL REVOLUTIONS?
Back in February, Britpop innovator Blur announced the release of their brand new album ‘The Magic Whip’. Being twelve years since a release from the band and sixteen since anything from the original four-piece, the proclamation of a new album with the classic ensemble both astonished and elated fans.
Prior to Blur, shoegazers Ride announced their reformation in November 2014, again to the delight of their fan base. With these two bands springing back into the music, other acts of the decade being reincarnated and the constant rumours of an Oasis reunion, a huddle of 90s music rebirths and obsessions have been formed. On the contrary though, these have reignited the long lit argument that music of the 1990s is simply overrated and we should stop glorifying it.
But why shouldn’t we look back on this decade with pride? Wasn’t this meant to be the period of British music at the forefront, the rapid evolution and explosion of dance music and the apex of cheesy and light-hearted pop amongst a wide spectrum of musical revolutions? Why has it grown to become almost normal to shun the music of 1990s?
For me, the sounds of the 1990s are one of the most crucial points in musical history. It’s a decade whose music should be celebrated. Even in current music, it’s visibly evident the influence that the 1990s has had, with many acts looking back to the era and adopting the sounds in house, pop, indie and further.
If 1990s music is so irrelevant and dire, why have those acts who are taking on these techniques proving to be some of the most popular? Examples that spring to mind are Disclosure who have been excelled with their spin on 90s house and bands such as Catfish and The Bottlemen and Superfood who have seen a surge with their Britpop and indie foundations.
It’s not only present utilisations of 90s styles though that are important. Now considered as superior of their time, albums such as Oasis’ ‘Definitely Maybe’, Blur’s ‘Parklife’, Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ and Radiohead’s ‘The Bends’ are considered not only some of my personal favourites but many people’s too, being time after time referred to when talking about musical landmarks by both musicians and fans.
I see it as solely incorrect and foolish to disregard the music of the period when it’s had without doubt such a phenomenal impact not only within it’s time but also within the music that encloses us today. Whilst it may seem somewhat impressive to reject 90s music and act as if we don’t find it interesting or take pleasure from it, personally I think we all have something we like about the era, whether it be a small appreciation or an almighty obsession.
I SEE IT AS SOLELY INCORRECT AND FOOLISH TO DISREGARD THE MUSIC OF THE PERIOD WHEN IT'S HAD WITHOUT DOUBT SUCH A PHENOMENAL IMPACT NOT ONLY WITHIN IT'S TIME BUT ALSO WITHIN THE MUSIC THAT ENCLOSES US TODAY.
LISTEN HERE :
AARON JOLLIFF'S BEST PICK OF THE 90S
WORDS BY: AARON JOLLIFF
DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER :
WHY 90S MUSIC ISN'T OVERRATED.