It's weirdly amazing that 25 years have gone past since the release of Fox Base Alpha, the debut record by Saint Etienne. Who are maybe the most London group I can think of despite their fancy French name. Their music is a melting pot, just like the capital itself. A pinch of that, and a little bit of this. Adds up to... something new and fresh.

This might not be the best Saint Etienne record (I’d have to give that accolade to So Tough), and whilst "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is a corking entry into the best Neil Young covers ever

...that’s not my favourite Saint Etienne song either … because "Hobart Paving" is.

But Fox Base Alpha hits the perfect moment when Brit Pop arrived and bought together the indie guitar kids, the mods and the clubbers.
Their music and their style.
So it’s perfect knowing pop music with meaning.

I can't say a lot more about it except listen, but this article with Bob Stanley can...
...and it has the double benefit of giving a shout to another truly weird & great British pop record Dazzle Ships by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark.
It's also a great insight into record making, especially by recordmakers who aren’t that musical.
Shall we call them “ideas men”?

[BTW Bob & Pete (Saint Etienne – Sarah) are now unacknowledged compilation kings and use their knowledge widely and wisely. This one is due soon and looks worth the price… if you like strange English proggy psychedelia. Which is new ground for them so worth a listen]

- TH