London Suede - Sci-Fi Lullabies

This compilation of singles and B-sides from 1992 to 1997 from the impassioned Suede (add the "London" for the Yanks, please) reveals the evolution of a band whose legacy will outlast the hectic number of British darlings who grace the cover of New Musical Express. Bandleader Brett Anderson's accomplished vocals, ranging from his patented soulful falsetto to folksinger sincerity, virtually defines the band, but the song-craft is truly accomplished. Suede pull off the especially difficult trick of paying homage to the magnificent British pop sound of the '60s without copping it wholesale. The guitars snarl without sneering, subtly spacy guitar effects echo Pink Floyd's early space-rock days, and convenient genre-bound labels crumble; Sci-Fi Lullabies is an excellent summary for fans who have charted their career, and an immersive experience that will turn the uninitiated listener into an addict craving more. --Alan E. Rapp Amazon.com

Music for the shaved heads, raveheads, and jumble sale mums.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is hard to believe, but these are the b-sides. 27 shining, melodious masterpieces spanning the greatest incarnations of Suede flavour their blazing accomplishment. From dysphoria and madness of Northern townsfolk to urbane transvestites and exotic undergrounders, Suede forfeits any caution, creating a maddening mixture of pop and rock, modern and classic.

"Sci-Fi Lullabies" reads almost more like a disjointed opera than any old pop band's record. Brett Anderson's heartbreaking melodies and lyrics scream falsettoed angst; the voice of an era.

Passed over by radio and MTV, the miracles on this record have rarely fallen on the inexperienced ear. There is a more sensible, subtler and sophisticated Suede than many have given credit based on previously released material. Though it's not to say Suede falls short on their studio albums- they are brilliant- but free from pressures and in-band fighting the freeform menagerie sensually emanating from the speakers is innocent and raw.

Suede does on "Sci-Fi Lullabies" what Suede does best- dramatics, sexual perversion, heroin dirges, and flashboy murders. And every track is a winner to every loser. May 3, 2005

A B-Sides collection that contains A-Side worthy materal!

Sci-Fi Lullabies is Suede's b-sides compilation, encompassing 1992-1997. However, it is also one of Suede's best albums, including songs that, beyond being worthy enough to be A-sides in their own right, could have enhanced any of the albums they might have appeared on. Disc 1 focuses mainly on Bernard Butler-era material while Disc 2 takes in the Richard Oakes era. Superlative cuts include My Insatiable One, To the Birds, He's Dead, The Living Dead, Modern Boys, Together, Young Men, WSD, and Sadie. June 13, 2004

Suede's best songs

Dollar-for-dollar, this compilation is a better deal than any of Suede's albums. In some cases, these b-sides are quite a bit stronger than the a-sides they were originally packaged with.

The first side is the stronger of the two, with 'To The Birds,' 'High Rising,' 'My Dark Star,' 'Killing of a Flash Boy,' 'Together' and especially 'Europe is our Playground' brushing the sublime. 'But that's almost all the songs on the side,' you might say. Well, yeah.

The second side is Suede in their later phase, their grittier, less artistic phase, and while I don't think it led to a decline in the quality of their albums, I do think the b-sides suffered. Still, 'Every Monday Morning,' 'Money' and 'Sadie' are excellent.

This is just Suede's best music, simply. A must-have for any collection, and especially for the fan. April 16, 2004

Your Royal Stickiness, Your Highness.

Now that Suede have called it a day it's time to look back at their work, I start here because this is where they made their last brilliant piece of work. To call Sci-Fi Lullabies a compilation is insane but that's exactly what it is, a b-side album. These songs are by no means "throwaways". How these songs didn't make the final cut is a mystery to all of us Suedeheads. The instrumentation and lyrics are a match, very complex, well thought out and perfectly executed.

The songs which feature the guitar works of both Bernard Butler and Richard Oakes are absolutely brilliant and they suit them in different ways, Bernard's style being classical, complex, textured and the lengthy solos while Richard's style is more straightforward, upbeat, dynamic, modern and rockier. Both are greatly talented and define the Suede "sound". My favorite songs with Butler are; Where The Pigs Don't Fly and Killing Of A Flashboy, while with Oakes they are; Together and Young Men.

Mat Osman is an underrated bass player, he's overshadowed by the brilliance of Butler and Oakes but, if you listen closely you'll hear very well constructed basslines throughout songs like Whipsnade, Sadie and Europe Is Our Playground. After this album their creativity took a slight dip in Head Music and A New Morning is not on a par with their best work and I'm being kind. If you're a novice and want a quick review of Suede's career, then buy "Singles" but, if you have some money to spend on a few albums then I would recommend starting with Sci-Fi Lullabies and go back from there with Coming Up, Dog Man Star and Suede. I look at Suede's period of excellence from 1992 to 1997. In retrospect, this was their last work of genius and what a career it was indeed. Thanks for making great music and to quote them, "see you in the next life". December 15, 2003

IN AND OF ITSELF MORE THAN A COMPILATION

Fluid and dreamy but not without a pop beat sensibility, England's 'Suede' sails a romantic ferry across the Mersy with inspirations of Smiths, Bowie and Ray Davies along as passengers in this 27 track double CD compilation. Brett Anderson has a personable, emotional singing style and although the lyrics lack much depth his tidy and refined songs are heart-felt and often striking in a folk-goth-rock minstrel way. Guitarist Richard Oakes lays down some flashy superb rock tracks without causing much corrosion to the pretty tapestry. June 1, 2003

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