Steps the UK Pop Phenomenon
348178
Steps first US album Step One is just the beginning of what they have in store for us Americans.  It starts with the BeeGee's classic "Tragedy," which is brilliantly remade the fivesome.  It gets into the "upety, bouncy" "Say You'll Be Mine" and into the ever classic "One For Sorrow."  "Last Thing On My Mind" and "Stay With Me" are pop filled songs that are followed up by "Love's Got A Hold On My Heart."  These three songs are very catchy.  "After The Love Has Gone" has a very Asian feel to it.  "Heartbeat," one of my favorites, is a pop/rock song.  It shows off their talent in harmonies and as individual singers.  "Deeper Shade Of Blue" is one of the best songs on the album.  It is very dancy.  The final song is a remake of Abba's "Better The Devil You Know," again a great song that shows off their ability to harmonize.  This is a great album, which is the beginning of more to come.  I recommend this album to anyone who wants to dance!
2003295
Dance, dance, dance. More housey-disco like but some of the cuts are quite pop and catchy. I mean where else you gonna find a UK hit song called "Peanut Butter Jelly"?
4280359
Both The Anniversary and Superdrag take about-faces on this split as they revert to 60s pop with a modern tinge. The Anniversary, a band who reverted from the sound of their debut album to a 60s psychadelic vibe, present themselves with a strong batch of songs that are a good prelude to their astounding second release, Your Majesty. Superdrag, primarily known for their hit song "Sucked Out" off their debut, show a fantastic evolution as a band through this split.
However, the songs by The Anniversary are really the stand out tracks on the album. Instead of moving into the new fields of emo (Thursday) and feeling the influence of a larger emo band looming behind them (Get Up Kids), The Anniversary have seemingly rejected the genre and learned to write great music that doesn't cater to the contemporary pop scene but harks back to an older era. "Anais" rings as a brit-pop influenced jangle that is engaging and beautiful, while the real stellar track, "Up in the Sky", harks back to Lennon at his exotic peak. In short, the songs by the Anniversary are spectacular and can be the sole reason for buying this album.
Superdrag doesn't disappoint but remains more of a contemporary pop band. Regardless, their songs are catchy with great hooks. "Take Your Spectre Away" is an engaging, emotive pop song that draws the listener in with jangle rock powers. "The Emotional Kind" is a pure pop song, while "I guess it's American" is the stud track, punky and poppy that resonates it's lyrics throughout the song.
As a nice breath of new music, definitely check out this LP. It'll be worth it's price in no time as the quality of the music far outweighs the quantity of songs. Pick it up as soon as you get the chance.
934220
I love these guys.  They are so wise beyond their years, musically and lyrically.  The have a British pop rock sound to them that is so old faishioned, yet so unique, created by creative sound quirks and entertaining loops.  Very hip.  My faves are "Silent to the Dark", "This Given Line", "Empty at the End", and "Red Balloon For Me".  Unfortunately, I don't own this cd, but have downloaded all of the songs.  They rock.  Some songs do get annoying after awhile, which is why I gave it four stars instead of five.
4631997
Where you come from. The king of pop music is universal. Nothing makes you get up and dance like he does.
1126234
The 21st Century's answer to Fleetwood Mac, by way of Blondie and Madness, are back with this, their finest, most comprehensive collection Pop. Actually, calling this album "Pop" would defeat its very purpose: "Rock Steady" is a one-CD jukebox of sublimely catchy Post-Punk, tipping its hat towards Dub, Dancehall, synth-friendly 80's Pop, Electronica, lithe R & B, and even elements of Tropicalia. It's a VERY pretentious album, if you haven't noticed by the absurd hype, the flaunted phallanx of celebrated collaborators/producers, and the fact that, nowadays, Gwen seldom wears anything that doesn't have the album's name emblazoned on it. Nevertheless, notwithstanding my distrust of the industry-manufactured hoopla, I do believe the band pulls it off nicely, crafting what I feel is their most complete album to date, topping both their previous (increasingly better) efforts. If "Tragic Kingdom" was their "Rumours", and "Return of Saturn" their "Tunnel of Love", "Rock Steady" seems to be more complete, versatile and canonical... Gwen Stefani has practically grown into the role of SoCal's chic-est chick, much like previous LaLaLand queens Stevie Nicks, Exene Cervenka, and Belinda Carlisle, all of which (along with some Debbie Harry) Gwen echoes in "Rock Steady". The album's main shortcomings, which are mainly of the lyrical variety, are emphatically overcome by the obscene amount of hooks, and by the band's sheer professional playing within the sheeny production values of Spike Stent, The Neptunes, Sly and Robbie, Ric Ocasek, and the great Prince, whose contribution to the album, "Waiting Room", can best be described as deserving of "Sign O' the Times", complete with Sylvester-like harmonies and backing vocals by His Royal Badness himself. Ric Ocasek's deft touch with synths and guitar riffs lends a little bit of "Just What I Needed" to "Don't Let Me Down" and especially "Platinum Blonde Life", while Sly and Robbie submerge "Underneath It All"'s lyrical shortcomings under the deluge of Tony Kanal's bass-playing. Blondie's "Parallel Lines" seems to be a huge influence here, although THAT album spawned most of what No Doubt seems to be drawing on here, hence Blondie's greatness... However, the fact remains that there is nary a truly "bad" song on this album, most of which is treated as a comprehensive whole, ill-served by the invariable Greatest Hits compilations t which will follow in the next decade... In this day and age of pre-marketed paup, of thirty dozens of Orlando-bred and fed teenieboppers with no musical inkling or touch, and of twenty-five interchangeable (mediocre) rappers and Angry White Men Who Want to Rap... bands such as these, who play and write hook-laden Pop/Rock rooted in the canon, deserve high praise. High praise, indeed.
4349610
My British friend turned me on to this great CD, and I have rarely heard such beautiful and various melodies as this packs together.  Some songs are driving, and some just lovely, and some are actually both.  My favorite track is "Suckle," one of the best songs I've heard since OK Computer came out.  Sometimes the lead vocal gets a bit whiny in that quintessentially English way, but this CD has guitar to spare (lead, rhythm and bass), and unbelievable arrangements, female backing vocals and production values out the whazzoo.  Try it -- don't be put off by the double album size -- every track rocks and sways.
2555374
Love the British Invasion. Short fun songs that get stuck in your head
1320011
So "Hopes And Fears" is already one of the best pop albums to come out of the UK, possibly ever.  And they've added to the beauty and brilliance with this deluxe version.  The extra tracks are remarkable and even in their earliest days you can hear how they were bound for greatness.  The live tracks sound fantastic as well.  This will be on repeat for many days to come!!
3855765
This UK band hits the right notes with this their second offering. It is guitar-based pop at its best. The opening song 'I Thought It Was Over' sets the scene for what is to come - infectious pop that dares you to enter the sunshine and smile. The title track 'Join with Us' also pulls the right strings but the heart-rendering 'Conor' is the icing on the cake. Many critics say that their first offering was better but this is more mature and definitely worth the entrance fee.
504128
"Urban Hymns" marks the second coming of British band The Verve, after a split in 1995 Richard ashcroft and co. came back to write arguably the best British album of 1997. The musical talent here is outstanding and  the talent of vocalist aschcroft shines through in his singing and lyrical  content. Songs such as "Lucky Man" and "Sonnet" are  standout tracks as are "Bittersweet Symphony" - and "The  Drug's don't work" - a song that should encapture every listener. This  album revived the indie scene in Britain and it would be a shame to see  this excellent band not be equal as successful stateside. It is essential  that every serious music lover owns this album.
4664549
The debut album of two Brits set out to be one of the defining pop-bands in the 80's. This was the first vinyl album I bought.
The songs are all great - excellent fun and dance records. Nothing like the serious Georg Michael of today (who shouldn't be embarrassed today that he recorded this album).
I rate 'Bad Boys' and 'Young Guns (Go For It)' as some of the best singles ever released, 'Club Tropicana' is not my personal favorite (but has an excellent video!) and 'WHAM! Rap' is a classic.
But the  songs 'Nothing Looks The Same In The Light' and 'A Ray of Sunshine' are classics too! A must for a every fan of '80s pop and dance music!
If you can afford it, try to get a european version of this album, since you will get remixes of 'A Ray Of Sunshine', 'Love Machine' and 'Nothing Looks The Same In The Light', which extends the album to well over 50minutes of fantastic (George and Andrew were quite modest with their title:-)
3518063
11th album from this iconic Scottish band who play gorgeously addictive, top-of-the-line, gently melodic pop with ringing guitar chords and beautiful vocal harmonies.  Some of the songs are fleshed out with the addition of trumpet, cello, harp and violin.  All of the songs project a subtle, hum-along melodic strength that will put a smile on your face and a tap in your toes.  Reminiscent of bands like Velvet Crush, Ultimate Painting, Almost Charlie, Tranquility, The Byrds, Nada Surf. Here is simply the sound of perfect pop music, a satisfying and relaxing moment to share with a friend.  Recommended to all pop lovers.
4534993
Definately one of the best British bands to come out in a long time, Swing Out  Sister was definitely made a great strides in popular music prior to the present age of boy bands and teenage divas. While not widely popular in the United States due to poor marketing by their label, Swing Out Sister produced some of the catchiest, fun songs to be heard in a long time. Lead singer Corrine Drewery and musician Andy Connell became one of the best duet imports from the United Kingdom since the Eurythmics and Everything But The Girl hit our shores.
With some great songs such as the catchy "Breakout, I automatically became of this band. In the early 1990s, the group had success with the release of their "Get in Touch with Yourself " album which produced two of the decade's cheerful songs, " Notgonnachange" and "Am I The Same Girl." I had listened to the other songs on the album but was presently surprised to hear their cover of the classic song, "La La Means I Love You," which has been covered by many groups and artists such as Prince and the Jets. "Better Make It Better" also became one of my new favorites due to a great arrangement and Corrine's pleasant voice.
I loved this album and am so glad I bought it. I owe several other Swing Out Sister albums, but regardlessly, I wanted this single collection to fill up the void left since the release of their last album in 1992. The good news is that Swing Out Sister is back and have released a new album, "Somewhere Deep In The Night" on March 25, 2002. I am anxiously looking forward to listening to this album and hearing more from this talented duo. This album is a must have for any fans of Brit pop all over the world.
3837826
VIVA BROTHER didn't set out to reinvent the wheel with "FAMOUS FIRST WORDS", they'd listened to Oasis and the rest of the 90s Britpop bands, so why not try to reignite it in 2011?  They actually merge Britpop with the neo-garage rock revival of 2005-2010 & it works really, really well!!  Songs are very upbeat and fun (they're not recreating Radiohead, after all; leave that to them!)

Before hearing VIVA BROTHER, the strongest Brit accent while singing I'd heard was Luke Pritchard of The Kooks.  Well, Lee Newell, VIVA BROTHER'S lead singer makes Luke sound without any geographic inflection!!  At first, I wasn't sure if he was doing a bit of a sardonic "take" on Briitpop, because it sounded so exagerrated to me :)  But, after a few "listens" I like it more & more!  It's light & easy and the "just right" amount of 10 songs, all clocking in around 2-1/2 to 3 minutes...pop ear-candy!!  I think when it was released "Darling Budds of May" & "New Year's Day" were the 'hit' singles (before critics began unfairly knocking them).  My favorites are "Electric Daydream" and "Time Machine", but if you like this type music, you'll enjoy the entire CD as I do!

BIG NEWS = VIVA BROTHER have gotten the band back together in 2017 as VIVA BROTHER II, and the songs are even better!!!  I'm just waiting for them to be released on a CD.  Right now there's no CD or EP; they're all Mp3's only & there are enough songs for a CD...hopefully, VIVA BROTHER II gets a good response to that & will soon release a CD of same!!  (And former music critics will have to "eat crow"!)  I guess maybe it's a case of "Once Bitten, Twice Shy".  Oh, and if Lee Newell's accent is too strong, give an original 90s Britpop band who are somewhat similar, without as strong an accent as Lee a try, Menswear "Nuisance", which may very well be my next purchase!
4448616
This is the greatest well rounded album of our time. This album is great from track one to track thirteen. It is too bad that it has taken America so long to catch on to this artist. Olly was a start on X Factor UK and even though he didn't take the title, is sure to be successful. It is a must for his jazzy take on modern pop-rock.
3658923
This trio sang easy listening pop songs, scoring hits in Britain, America and elsewhere with some great songs. Tony had some success in the early sixties, when he had an American hit with Halfway to Paradise (a British hit for Billy Fury) and a British top five hit with Bless you. Neither of those songs is included in this compilation, which focuses exclusively on the trio's music from 1970 to 1974. The trio was made up of Joyce Vincent and Thelma Hopkins, both of whom had previous experience as backup singers with Motown.
Tie a yellow ribbon has become a classic. It was adopted as an anthem for Vietnam veterans and the use of yellow ribbons to symbolize homecomings has become something of a tradition around the world. The practice did not exist before this song was written, so it shows how music influences life in all sorts of ways.
Their other great international hits, all featured here, were Knock three times, Candida, What are you doing Sunday, Say has anybody seen my sweet Gypsy Rose and Who's in the strawberry patch with Sally.
The remainder of this collection includes a number of covers, including Up on the roof (Drifters), You're a lady (Peter Skellern), It's all in the game (Tommy Edwards) and a couple of James Taylor songs (Rainy day woman, Carolina in my mind).
Different compilations have been released in different countries. This British compilation is as good as any you're likely to find. If you like easy listening pop of the early seventies by groups like the New Seekers, you should enjoy this.