3. Super Furry Animals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5N68RIZM8c The SFA were certainly not devoid of ambition, they bought a tank to drive to their first slew of festival appearances, wrote some of the most fantastic songs you will ever hear, effortlessly jumped across styles, but were never in the running to play at Wembley Stadium. I am convinced that they had no interest in doing so either, but it is music's loss that they didn't get to that level, as they should have been the ultimate cult band that made it big. Their creativity took in all aspects of the band, working with the artist Peter Fowler, who rustled up their surreal record covers and truly out there videos. Perhaps they were just a bit too weird for the masses, but what I wouldn't give to hear them slaying a stadium with the crowd singing along with the chorus here. They moved seamlessly between a giddying array of styles, doing pop, techno, Kraut-ruck, funk, salsa (Northern Lites) Glam Rock ('Golden Retriever) I would argue that 'Juxtaposed with U' and 'Icehockey Hair' are the perfect white boy versions of Barry White meets Chic. The constant is Gryff Rhys' deadpan vocals; world weary, bleary and unique.
"At least it's not the end of the world..."Perhaps they should have taken a more orthodox route, entered the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Rings around the world'.
This is a tirelessly inventive band who weren't interested in being superstars, but so should have been. Surely counter-culturalists deserve their day in the sun too?