AMAZON
Suede's self-titled debut is in many ways the birthplace of what came to be called Britpop. In 1992 there were very few British bands who sang in colloquial accents and played like they'd listened to nothing but glam-rock Bowie since the day they were born. Mired in the deadening claustrophobia of satellite towns, aggressive sex and cheap pills, ambitious tracks like "The Next Life" and "Pantomime Horse" promise greatness but lack sufficient grace and drama. Likewise guitarist Bernard Butler at times muddies the Suede sound with a needless profusion of overdubs. Following on from their triumphantly ambitious first three singles, which are included here, some of Suede's debut feels surprisingly like filler material. Yet despite its obvious shortcomings and the inclusion of first album immaturities like the surprisingly tame "Animal Lover", Suede is the sound of a great British band being conceived. --James Littlewood