Michelle's CD choice of the moment CRUSH double CD by Polygram T.V. By Michelle Dee

Where did all the good stuff go, those great bands of the nineties with cool sounding one-word names like Dodgy, Lush and Pulp etc. The t-shirts were tight fitting, brightly coloured with trims on neck and sleeves. The band logos were unobtrusive in trendy oval shaped designs.

So, what's on this must have disc? Suede for starters Saturday night and Stay together, angst filled warbling from Brett Anderson. Ash with the summery hit Oh yeah and Alisha's Attic singing I am I feel wasn't one of them the daughter of some famous actor type? Last I heard they were living the hippy dream and recording a second album in a converted barn somewhere stateside. What happened? The best song of 96, in my humble ill-informed opinion was Shed Seven's uplifting anthem Chasing Rainbows.

It too can be found on this compilation along with The Longpigs, Menswear, Gene and Lush. Where did they all go, although in the case of Lush I do know that sadly one of the guys was found hanging in his garage. Shame, such a waste of talent and creativity.

Space make a brief appearance they played Room on George Street in 94, supporting Catatonia it was the first ever gig I went to. Echobelly are on the second disc comfortably sandwiched between Garbage and Dubstar. Sonya Madan, there was a girl who looked cute in tight leather trews. She always reminds me of Leah Bracknell (Zoe, Emmerdale) don't know why? I have heard on the grapevine that Echobelly are to release a new album this year to co-incide with their up and coming U.K. tour.

Joy Division sneaks on here somehow, courtesy of the Best of album Permanent released on London Records. I think this blatant cashing in by the "powers that be" was shameful and ill-advised. The album release coincided with the biography Touching From A Distance written by Deborah Curtis, Ian's widow. Published by Faber&Faber it is an honest sometimes poignant account of the lead singers life and tragic death.

Excerpts were read by Deborah on the Mark and Lard late show on Radio 1. Then they went day time... WHY? It weren't broke why fix it? Incidentally the last song they ever played on their legendary late night slot was Radiohead's Lucky which can be found on the ground breaking release OK Computer. You never know it might come up in a music quiz then you will be glad of this tiny snippet of useless information.

Who else can be found on this deliciously sweet CD (The inlay card has love hearts on it you remember them of course you do they had endearing sentiments of undying love on them. So why did they go and change them to indecipherable txt msgs.) It weren't broke etc..Well apart from the Lemonheads (Evan Dando long hair, did Madonna) Teenage Fanclub and the obligatory Oasis track the LA'S do There she goes ..again. John Powers, future lead singer in Cast, played guitar for them when he had just left school.

I'm just a wealth of knowledge a veritable fountain if you will.. Towards the end there are tracks by Blind melon, all I can remember about them is some image of a sad girl dressed up as a flower fairy and the Trash Can Sinatras what a name! To Sir with love is a lovely little ditty about falling in love with your teacher. Come on we all did it and if you didn't, well you missed out on an integral part of the growing up process.

So take a trip down Brit Pop lane and recall those heady endless days fresh and full of promise. And if you already have this exquisite collection nestling amongst your old copies of NME and Melody Maker then dig it out you lucky, lucky weasel. Email your memories of the nineties to michelle@thisisull.com and together we can celebrate and journey back to a time when Al Qaida didn't matter.. and the worst political scandal concerned that stain on the intern's dress. Come back Billy Boy all is forgiven.

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