OAA Music

Britpop

Britpop Musical Features

Mid 90's
UK Based
Emphasised brightness
Form of alternative rock
Reaction agaisnt the darker lyrics of Grunge and Shoegaze
Further influenced Cool Britannia and guitar pop
Chart battle between Blur and Oasis in 1995 - The Battle of Britpop
Tony Blair and New Labour aligned themselves with the movement
Declined in 1997 due to the popularity of the Spice Girls
Known as a cultural movement, not just a musical genre
Influenced by Glam Rock, British Pop of the 60's, Punk Rock and Indie Pop of the 80's
Blur and Oasis were inspired by The Kinks, early Pink Floyd and The Beatles
The Smiths influenced a lot of Britpop acts
The Madchester scene (The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and Inspiral Carpets) were the roots of Britpop
Post Britpop acts gained more international success than Britpop bands

Blur
Oasis
Suede
Pulp
Post Britpop Bands - influenced by Britpop Acts
Travis
Stereophonics
Coldplay
Radiohead
The Verve
Feeder
Elbow
Snow Patrol
Embrace
Keane
Doves
Starsailor

Britpop Musical Features

Distribution & Sharing

Rhythmic Techniques

Melodic Techniques

Instrumentation

Instrumental Techniques & Developments

D

Distribution & Sharing

Media driven focus on bands
Independent music scene

P

Production

Clean guitar
Overdrive used
Limited distortion

R

Rhythmic Techniques

4/4
Up tempo

S

Scales & Mode

Use of arpeggios in the riffs
Use of the pentatonic scale in lead lines

Structure

Typical song structure with instrumentals, bridges and solos

M

Melodic Techniques

Lyrics emphasise having a good time
Catchy melodies
Vocals - regional accents
Lyrics refer to British places and culture
Catchy hooks and riffs
Lyrics about class
Simple guitar lead lines

I

Instrumentation

Vocals
Electric Guitar
Bass
Acoustic Guitar
Drums
Keyboards
Piano
Keyboards used sometimes
String arrangements used sometimes

Instrumental Techniques & Developments

Use of hammer ons
Use of palm muting
Use of pitch bending
Use of string skipping

H

Harmony

Usually written in a major key
Guitars used open chords
Simple chord progressions
Sus chords used
Seventh chords used

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