International Guardians Of Rock 'N' Roll 1983-1999 (Creation Records)

Beh, che dire? Una compilation per la quale parlano i nomi presenti e i pezzi scelti. Devi dire una buona scaletta, che ovviamente non può essere esauriente di una storica etichetta come la Creation, ma può essere una prima importante fotografia per avvicinarvisi, o un bel tuffo nel passato per chi già la conosce bene.
Insomma...W la Creation! (2000 Sony)
International Guardians Of Rock'n'Roll 1983-1999 is an epitaph for the most influential, successful, contrary, arrogant indie label that Britain ever saw: Creation Records.
Featuring tracks hand picked by label boss Alan McGee, this two-CD compilation displays a tender affection for the cobwebbed nooks and crannies of Creation's history. Beyond that, though, it is intriguing to see how International Guardians... works as a microcosm of the story of British indie music as a whole, charting the path of indie from the nihilistic scree of the Jesus And Mary Chain's "Upside Down" through to the anthemic bloke-rock balladry of Oasis' "Wonderwall".
International Guardians... excels when it turns up forgotten classics, like the House Of Love's "Shine On", or airs essential tracks, like Super Furry Animals' "The Man Don't Give A Fuck", although this retrospective wouldn't be complete without the odd "They did what?" moment--see an aged Jesus And Mary Chain, hobbling out of their bath chairs for "Cracking Up".
But are there any omissions? Well, with a project of this size, naturally--but the most notable absentee is My Bloody Valentine, the mooted three tracks pulled from the compilation by eccentric composer Kevin Shields just before this record's release. Irritating--but it is strangely fitting that Creation's swansong should be acrimonious to the last. (Louis Pattison - http://www.amazon.co.uk/)
Titles on disc 1
Upside Down - Jesus & Mary Chain
Baby Honey - Pastels
Shine On - House Of Love
Slowdive - Slowdive
Duel - Swervedriver
Loaded - Primal Scream
Lazarus - Boo Radleys
Don't Slip Up - Meat Whiplash
Drive Blind - Ride
All The People I Like Are Those That Are Dead - Felt
Up The Hill And Down The Slope - Loft
Cut Me Deep - Jasmine Minks
Flying - Telescopes
Almost Prayed - Weather Prophets
I'll Follow You Down - Slaughter Joe
Concept - Teenage Fanclub
Higher Than The Sun - Primal Scream
Titles on disc 2
If I Can't Change Your Mind - Sugar
Cracking Up - Jesus & Mary Chain
Give Me Some Love - Love Corporation
Drive Me Down (Softly) - Velvet Crush
Sunshine Smile - Adorable
Wonderwall - Oasis
Rocks - Primal Scream
Mellow Doubt - Teenage Fanclub
Man Don't Give A Fuck - Super Furry Animals
Serious Drugs - BMX Bandits
Stay - Butler, Bernard
Step Into My World - Hurricane #1
Mill Hill Self Hate Club - Ed Ball
CREATION RECORDS