The Last Party: Britpop, Blair and the Demise of English Rock [Paperback]

John Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

Beginning in 1994 and closing in the first months of 1998, the UK passed through a cultural moment as distinct and as celebrated as any since the war. Founded on rock music, celebrity, boom-time economics and fleeting political optimism - this was "Cool Britannia". Records sold in their millions, a new celebrity elite emerged and Tony Blair's Labour Party found itself, at long last, returned to government. Drawing on interviews from all the major bands - including Oasis, Blur, Elastica and Suede - from music journalists, record executives and those close to government, this title charts the rise and fall of the Britpop movement. John Harris was there; and in his book he argues that the high point of British music's cultural impact also signalled its effective demise - if rock stars were now friends of the government, then how could they continue to matter?

Editorial Reviews

Review

'THE LAST PARTY is a title that deserves to stick around the book charts.' Mark Lawson, Guardian 'THE LAST PARTY is that rare thing, a book principally about rock musicians that is a compulsive page-turner.' The Sunday Times 'Compelling ! it reminds us what a corrosive and mean place the pop world can be.' Mojo 'A fine, bittersweet read.' Q Magazine --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

John Harris is a highly respected journalist who has written regular columns the NME, Mojo, Q Magazine, Select, New Statesman and the Independent

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Fourth Estate in America (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 000713472X
• ISBN-13: 978-0007134724
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,690,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well, *I* think it's awesome!, December 15, 2004

By 

Sakos (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Party: Britpop, Blair and the Demise of English Rock (Paperback)

I ran across this book in London in the summer of 2003 right after it had come out. As an Anglophilic purveyor of English Rock music (say that ten times fast!), this book appealed to me from the shelf at least. I took a chance on it, and boy, I wasn't disappointed. For Americans like me who are into English rock, all we know is what we get from the CDs. I lived through 1990's America, while England underwent a cultural shift not seen since 1960's America. You can really experience it in this book, especially if you have listened to all of the great music that came out in that decade (Blur, Suede, Radiohead, Supergrass, Pulp) and avoid the garbage (Oasis, Menswear). Besides in-depth interviews and private photographs from some of the biggest players, you get two feelings from this book: One, the English music scene was really like a gang of friends for the most part (excluding the Brett vs. Damon and Blur vs. Oasis feuds). And two, it was a talentless [...] of a woman in Justine Frischmann who really drove two of the biggest talents of the decade, Brett Anderson and Damon Albarn, to fantastic heights by being the third point in their little love traingle. A fascinating read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Approach with caution, May 5, 2005

By 

M. D. Lewis (Ravenstown, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Party: Britpop, Blair and the Demise of English Rock (Paperback)

I approached this book with the highest of expectations, and perhaps therein lies the reason for my disappointment. As an historical record of the Britpop years, The Last Party is very thorough - perhaps too anecdotal, to the point where I remember reading most all of the information presented. If you, like me, read Q Magazine with any regularity - to the point of investing in an overseas subscription - during the mid-90s, you will have heard the stories before. To the uninitiated, though, this is a very thorough oeuvre - just not groundbreaking in the least.

I agree with the others here who question the links between the rise of Blair and the rise of Britpop. Blair latched on to the whole Britpop movement after its real high watermark (Oasis at Knebworth) - and before everyone in the world slagged "Be Here Now". But there was really no cause and effect - New Labour may have needed Oasis, but really only as background music for the May 1, 1997 celebrations - and reading this will convince few of any genuine link. The real reason Britpop died have nothing to do with politics - as Britpop itself was fundamentally apolitical - and everything to do with the Spice Girls being mistaken for part of the movement. That, too many drugs, and the seven minute songs on "Be Here Now".

Two stars for me, four for those who approach this book as a tabula rasa and read it simply as biography rather than its abortive attempt at political science. Thus the three overall.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Britpop A to Z, July 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Party: Britpop, Blair and the Demise of English Rock (Paperback)

Great book. Everything you need to know about the mid-nineties scene known as Britpop. Now if only the film Live Forever would be available in the states I would be fulfilled. Definitly, not maybe buy this book.