Remembering 1996

I recently read an article stating that 1996 was the best year ever. Whilst I think 1995 was better I still think 1996 has a good shout.

The article wasn't just about the music though that was the main focus. What I didn't agree with though were the reasons it gave.

From a music perspective they highlighted Oasis playing at Knebworth, the Jarvis Cocker incident at the Brit Awards, Spice Girls bringing us girl power and Robbie Williams kicking off his hugely successful solo career. 

Doubtless the millions of people who were into Oasis, Pulp, Spice Girls and Robbie Williams agree with some of that. Whilst I do like a few Pulp and Robbie Williams songs, it's far from my favourite music and I could never stand Oasis or Spice Girls.

What I thought I'd do is a month by month celebration of 1996 that goes deeper than the same handful of things you've kept hearing about since 1996.

I did my 25 years since 1996 posts in 2021 but that was picking 5 songs from the Top 40 each month I was enjoying at the time. This time it will be more about music in general and beyond the Top 40 because it played a significant part for me at the time.

I aim to do a post every 3 days or so.

Mis-Teeq

Mis-Teeq are back and they'll be doing a gig at Wembley Arena later this year.

The start of the 21st century saw the explosion of UK Garage and everyone was jumping on the bandwagon. Then at the start of 2001 we were introduced to Mis-Teeq.

Although they had no back catalogue as such they were presented as being an R&B group who were making a garage record in their debut single "Why". My initial reaction was not another one jumping on the bandwagon but conceded it wasn't bad. 

Then came "All I Want", another garage record and this time I thought this is rather good. In fact I thought it, "Why" and following single "One Night Stand" were good enough for me to buy their debut album "Lickin On Both Sides" later on in the year.

Admittedly it's not an album I really got into, but the singles are all good and there are a couple of album tracks that are to my liking.

In 2003 it was time for album number 2. By this point UK Garage was dead so it made perfect sense for them to come back with and R&B record which they did with "Scandalous". 

It was a decent comeback record but I didn't buy the album which quickly followed because I already had a long list on my want list with limited funds and I was conscious of the fact I'd never properly got into their debut album.

Then the next single "Can't Get It Back" came out, a cover of the Blaque record. I'm not a fan of the original, but it's the sort of cover that demonstrates the British not being very good at doing R&B.

Then came their final single "Style" which suggested to me they'd run out of steam because it was poor. Needless to say I never bothered with the album.

They called it a day a year or so later after their record label went bust though I suspect they would have done that anyway.

They were in the right place at the right time for the UK Garage explosion and "Scandalous" showed they weren't just relying on garage to make a good tune.

Do I think they're good enough to see in concert? I think they have enough good songs to go. Will I be going to see them at Wembley? at over £100 a ticket on the floor not a chance.