Welcome, anglophiles and actual British people alike. I fall into the former category, being American. However, I spent a substantial period of my youth - nine years - in England, and it forever shaped my character. England is my favorite place in the world, so music that recalls peculiarly British moments never lets me down. I mean good music, of course - Spice Girls just won't do.

So, please, discuss, share, argue (be nice), and enrich. I'll provide the tea (or Newcastle).

Here's a theory I've been working on: In the Kinks song "Big Sky", from their Village Green album, I think Ray Davies was referring to God. Anyone thinking along the same lines?

would it still be brit pop?

Only if that American was born in Britain or lived there at least nine years.

=== Original Message ===>>>>

would it still be brit pop?

One Yank musician that pulls off the Brit sound well (in an admittedly bizarre way) is Joy Electric. You can tell is accent is affected, but you have to admire him for it. The funny thing is that JE (aka Ronnie Martin) sounds completely different in plain speech. He's got this deep, almost gruff, New Yorkish sounding voice that was somehow cultivated in Orange County, CA.

1. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
2. The Kinks - Village Green Preservation Society
3. Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children
4. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
5. Cocteau Twins - Victorialand
6. Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted
7. Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
8. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Band
9. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
10. The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground and Nico

This list is subject to change with the weather.

Close calls:
- Miles Davis - Bitches Brew
- Can - Future Days
- Guided By Voices - Bee Thousand
- The Beatles - Revolver
- Radiohead - Kid A (yes, I think it's that good)
- The Smiths - The Queen is Dead

Bought Wire's first album, Pink Flag, yesterday. Freakin' amazing! It's Bob Pollard's favorite album, you know. Hey, he's another amazing anglophilic rocker!

Holy beer! How could I forget Bob Pollard, the drunkest anglophile in the Midwest? If Guided By Voices aren't faux British pop, then what is?

=== Original Message ===>>>>

One Yank musician that pulls off the Brit sound well (in an admittedly bizarre way) is Joy Electric. You can tell is accent is affected, but you have to admire him for it. The funny thing is that JE (aka Ronnie Martin) sounds completely different in plain speech. He's got this deep, almost gruff, New Yorkish sounding voice that was somehow cultivated in Orange County, CA.

I personally think the Clientele are the greatest currently-active guitar-pop band in the world. But then, their wispy guitar strands and hushed tones take me back to the mystical England of my past.

I've been listening to almost nothing but Joy Division lately, especially "Dead Souls". Should I see a therapist?