Shed Seven - Going for Gold
by Richard Lewis
published: 23 / 2 / 2020
Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
intro
Richard Lewis examines Britpop act Shed Seven's Greatest Hits compilation 'Going for Gold', which, originally released in 1999, has just been reissued in a new double CD edition with additional studio sessions and live tracks.
A near-ubiquitous presence on the radio, ‘Top of the Pops’ and ‘TFI Friday’ in the mid to late nineties, Shed Seven have outlasted their more fêted contemporaries in impressive fashion. Building their profile through biennial ‘Shedcember’ Winter tours over the past decade, the group have become a huge live draw. A combination of Smiths and Sundays guitar jangle with a smidgen of the Stones’ swagger, topped with Rick Witter’s stentorian vocals. Their 1994-99 run of singles featured here showcases the period when they were seemingly glued onto the Top 40. Kept at arm’s length by the music press who instead preferred to award front covers to the remembered only by Google likes of Gene, S*M*A*S*H, and These Animal Men, the York outfit’s material has aged well. Originally released in 1999 and pepped up here with additional studio sessions and live tracks, the set marks the point where the Sheds’ commercial fortunes along with the rest of the Britpop pack severely declined. While their most famous songs, ‘Going for Gold’ and ‘Chasing Rainbows’ underline their knack at anthemic balladry, the spikier cuts here ‘Speakeasy’, ‘Dolphin’ and the Smiths-ian stampede of ‘Mark’ stand out as their strongest moments. Led by Witter’s best bellowing sung/spoken Shaun Ryder impersonation ‘She Left Me On Friday’ is a successful attempt at a lopsided Happy Mondays groove. ‘Ocean Pie’, despite the group’s denials to the contrary tackled the (then) taboo subject of heroin (the cover photo was of a bloke passed out over a sink), while the wall of sound guitars of ‘Getting Better’ and the vicious swirl of ‘Where Have You Been Tonight?’ retain their energy. With the demand for this collection on vinyl and their first album in over fifteen years, ‘Instant Pleasures’ cracking the Top 10 in 2017, these self-deprecating Britpop survivors surely won’t be retiring any time soon.
Track Listing:-
Band Links:-
https://www.shedseven.com/https://www.facebook.com/shedseven/
https://twitter.com/shedseven
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-
live reviews |
Alexandra Palace, London, 30/11/2007 |
Sarah Mwangi sees New York rockers Interpol encapsulate their audience with a boisterous and theatrical show at the Alexandra Palace in London |
reviews |
A Matter of Time (2024) |
Infectiously enthusiastic first album in seven years from 90’s Britpop act Shed Seven |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsHeavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
World Party - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Prisoners - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart