o band shows the power of the Brit-pop era better than the Bluetones. “Slight Return,” despite being a tremendous pop jaunt, would never reach the heady heights in the British charts it did in 1996 when first released were it to be released now. Carried on the shoulders of the Blur vs. Oasis battle, the steam may have run out of the Bluetones in terms of chart position from this point onwards, but the tunes remain as loveable if equally inconsequential.


The Singles is the blunt title of an album that represents the best or worst things about 90s British music- depending on your perspective. Influence from the Stone Roses has always been self-evident, but they lacked that occasionally imposing intensity, the Bluetones are the sort of band, instead, who you’d like to see playing in your local pub on a lazy sunny afternoon. On this compilation the new songs rest invisibly alongside old- what could be construed as a lack of evolution seems more like a comforting familiarity.


“Marblehead Johnson” and “Autophilia” may be only half as good without their hilarious videos, but such unashamed comedy in the lyrics can survive without visual aid. “Sleazy Bed Track” shows there is more to the band than cheesy bounce but while an involving listen, it lacks the fun of something like “Cut Some Rug” or the new song “Freeze Dried Pop”.


“Bluetonic” may sound as if it was written solely to soundtrack Match of The Day but is that really such a crime? The cabaret of “After Hours” is outrageously camp but no less engaging than the early work culled from the embodiment of Brit-pop that was their debut LP Expecting to Fly.


OK, perhaps it is a touch too long. The band’s most reliable success was raising a smile when you heard them on the radio. Over so many tracks the blokey enthusiasm can begin to grate slightly. Similarly, as a singles collection it misses out on some of their terrific early b-sides. Mr. Southall mentioned two of those most deserving of reaching a wider audience in his Week in the Musical Life of...


If you are looking for re-invention in a band then you probably did not even begin to read this review. The Bluetones are what they are, were, and always will be until they call it a day. It may not be fashionable to like them anymore and it probably never will be, but like the Charlatans they have the tenacity to continue making albums for some time.


Washed up indie? Well yes, but by God, it’s a lot more fun than Forever Delayed.