15 Years of Mancunian History

"What is a soundtrack album?" asks Tony Wilson's liner notes in this CD, before discussing this question at length, for over a page. The important thing to keep in mind about this album is that it is a soundtrack album. Compared to what passes for a soundtracks nowadays, in big-budget Hollywood, this is probably the best of the year.

Having bought the CD before seeing the movie, I was disappointed by the inclusion of several songs by some bands to the exclusion of other deserving bands, but it wouldn't be a souvenir of the movie if it didn't include the songs that were central to it. At first glance it seems as though some big names from the New Wave/Madchester era are missing, such as Magazine and the Smiths, but neither of these groups were central or even peripheral to the movie, as were Joy Division and the Happy Mondays. (Despite the inclusion of several New Order tracks, the movie lost track of them right after their reformation). Both groups are well represented here, the three Joy Division songs are arguably their finest moments and they alone make the album essential.

Apart from the stellar representation of the central groups, the additional tracks are more than worthwhile. Included are fine tracks by lesser known artists A Guy Called Gerald and The Duretti Column, which serve as samplers of the groups themselves as well as the "British House" music scene. It also gets off to a killer start with the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the UK" and the Buzzcocks' "Ever Fallen In Love".

At worst, this album is a crass corporate grab at sentimental moviegoers' money. At best, it's as fine a compilation "mix tape" one could hope for from the Madchester scene.

Rock and Roll History

Well, I was in high school and in Northern California when A Guy Called Gerald released "Voodoo Ray" and that one didin't make it to us. Man. But, New Order did as well as a general idea that punk had evolved in a few certain ways in a few certain places. That particular "Manchester a la Detroit" evolution turned out to be dance music. Well. When this finnally, in the very early ninties made its full imapct felt in our neck of the woods....there was NO TURNING BACK. NO. THERE WAS NO GOING BACK. My poor saxophone tutor. Incedently if you email me I would be happy to point you towards my album. www.garageband.com/artist/bioutopia

Oh..yes the CD. Music history and nothing less.