2Pac - "So Many Tears" (1995)

As I suspected when I decided to start focusing on B-sides, the blog was becoming a bit “indie”-orientated. But what better way to break that up than with a bit of ‘Pac?

PJ Harvey - "A Perfect Day Elise" (1998)

This single came out when a lot of critical attention was being focused on the roughness and dark mood of PJ Harvey’s output; which is basically what you get here. Lots of distortion and compressed vocals as Polly tells a rather grim tale. But what’s not to love about it?

Oasis “Cigarettes & Alcohol” (1994)

“Cigarettes & Alcohol” has been the soundtrack to many a night of debauchery, but it’s so much more: as Alan McGee of Creation Records said upon hearing, "Is it worth the aggravation to find yourself a job when there's nothing worth working for?”, this song was one of the greatest social statements made in modern music.

Paul Weller "Wild Wood" (1993)

So I’m back writing, after too long. Maybe it’s a reflection of the times we live in, but I’m no longer reviewing albums. I still listen to them, but it’s such a chore to give a comprehensive verdict on one. So my new focus is singles. B-sides are something I have somewhat overlooked in my lifetime; only now do I realise that they can be the greatest outlet for an individual’s creativity.

I figured it was quite appropriate, considering my newest hairstyle, to kick things off with The Modfather himself. “Wild Wood” is a real highlight of Weller’s solo career and paints the picture of being caught in an urban jungle. Something about the way the song is structured consistently, throughout both the verse and chorus parts, really brings out how feelings of struggle can grow and overcome someone who’s “climbing... Forever trying.”

Ozric Tentacles - Erpland (1990)

Genre-bending gem from psychedelic masters

To anyone that hasn’t had the pleasure of listening to Ozric Tentacles, the best word to describe their music is experimental. Meeting at Stonehenge Festival in 1983, and changing lineups several times (with founding member Ed Wynne the only constant) they perform psychedelic-tinged progressive rock in a variety of styles. Erpland sees them throw up some lively tracks littered with tempo changes, ambient songs to chill out to and curious use of electronica alonside exotic, Eastern sounds.