Chart years

[mippy.livejournal.com]

Yesterday DP and I watched an old edition of The Chart Show, as it was something to do after I baked some cookies. I think it was around summer '96 - Three Lions, England's Irie and Killing Me Softly in the Top Ten. We concluded that 1996 wasn't a vintage year for the pop charts. But was it the worst? I'd posit 1999, although I don't know whether this was just my mood at the time...everyone seemed to give up before the Minnellium came along and changed us all, too many post-Spice manufactured acts, lots of dull Travis-a-likes. Everybody's Free to Wear fecking Sunscreen. The big acts imploding or putting out 'will this do?' albums. Am I being uncharitable to the late 90s? What was the Worst Year in Pop?

Comments

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

I'm always a bit wary of this question. The best years in pop probably occured whilst I was listening to a bunch of rubbish indie rekkids so I'm hesitatant to give an informed answer.

[mippy.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I am wondering the same. There were a few years where I listened to virtually nothing contemporary - I was ignoring pop a bit, and indie was the second-wave American garage band invasion that was just no good to anyone.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I remember 1986 coming round and thinking things had gone off the boil a bit. As much to do with puberty and social anxiety as pop though.

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

Yes, both 1985 and 1986 were very grim IMO. I know that stevem78 disagrees, though.

[mippy.livejournal.com]

I was only wee then, but I like the music of 1986 now. Perhaps because I can cherrypick though.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

vehemently!

if only there was an Ultramix 86 to demonstrate ;)

[braisedbywolves.livejournal.com]

I think you've probably captured the poptimist view there, though I remain firmly fond of it. The Bends, The Great Escape, Different Class, Underworld, basically everything on this (http://www.discogs.com/release/869606).

[mippy.livejournal.com]

But in fairness, not everything on there's contemporary. I suppose we were on the fag-end of Britpop in '96.