Amazon.co.uk review
Suede's self-titled debut is in many ways the birthplace of what came to be called Britpop. In 1992 there were very few British bands who sang in colloquial accents and played like they'd listened to nothing but glam-rock
Bowie since the day they were born. Mired in the deadening claustrophobia of satellite towns, aggressive sex and cheap pills, ambitious tracks like "The Next Life" and "Pantomime Horse" promise greatness but lack sufficient grace and drama. Likewise guitarist
Bernard Butler at times muddies the Suede sound with a needless profusion of overdubs. Following on from their triumphantly ambitious first three singles, which are included here, some of Suede's debut feels surprisingly like filler material. Yet despite its obvious shortcomings and the inclusion of first album immaturities like the surprisingly tame "Animal Lover",
Suede is the sound of a great British band being conceived.
--James Littlewood
Description
Suede played intellectual high jinks with this, their debutalbum, employing provocative lyrics, a weighty, unknowing sexuality and the pointed angst of troubled teenagers the world over. The clever lure of their androgynous artwork combined tellingly with Brett Anderson's teasing flamboyance and dedicated (some might say studied) David Bowie air. However, they would have remained a one trick pony were it not for their stirring ability to put together some unashamedly great singles and adapt a host of subtle mood swings and arrangements that took Anderson's vocals to soaring new heights.