Suede: Singles

Reviewed by GRAHAM REID


Herald rating: * * * *

Often uncharitably damned for their fey, camp-Bowie style, Suede have actually cracked some great radio singles -- few of which damaged the charts here of course. This non-chronological, 21-track compilation -- with lyrics and colour pix of the original sleeves, which shows some effort -- plays remarkably well despite some tracks feeling very much of their Britpop period.

Yep, it's mannered glam-pop, thoroughly derivative, suffers from some guitar overload, panders to teenage angst and frontman Brett Anderson always sounds like he's been gargling Bowie's Hunky Dory. But it's also sassy, dramatic pop and was never worth drawing battlelines over. Camp fun has its place too, just ask current faves the Darkness. And at least Anderson kept the falsetto vibrato under control.

(Epic)