I cannot exactly remember which one of us first articulated it, but there's this theory in my house that a decade only truly develops its identity 4 years in. We discovered this after living on a childhood diet of Video Smash Hits in the years spanning 1990 to 1992. It was inevitable, after such a consistent intake of Technotronic, C & C Music Factory and Snap! that we would eventually develop the ability to not only accurately characterise that musical aesthetic but to see its strong links with the late 1980s.

I can't help but be convinced that something changed in 1993, as it did in 1983 and in 1973. With specific reference to 1993, there was an obvious and growing emergence of Eurodance, Grunge and Britpop. Consequently, the 1990s managed to sever those strong stylistic links with the 1980s and somehow consolidated its own taste, style and identity. I mention all this now, because we're only days into 2013 and I'm not entirely sure how to view this decade. I'm not entirely sure how it's ever going to define itself, as other decades have managed to do.

Perhaps it is a preposterous suggestion. Surely, we will soon get a taste of what this decade is and how we will characterise it, stylistically. There are methods of measuring taste, there are charts and dancefloors, YouTube hits and Spotify. There are writers who go on about what is trendy, spouting words like "sludgecore" and "beardwave". Yet, I can't help but feel like we treat the endorsements of the established musical press with a high degree of suspicion. We download from independently run blogs to find one-off songs that are truly aligned to our taste.

I may just be looking for another Beatles, another Strokes, another Oasis, another group that manages to coincide with that dramatic re-invention of a new decade. The cynic in me is uncertain whether it's even really possible to garner up that extreme degree of popularity in a time when genres are so heavily fragmented and obscurity is king. In the case of Psy's Gangnam Style, a video receives in excess of a billion hits does not necessarily equate to a popular song, in the sense that everyone likes it. It simply means that a lot of people have seen it.

Weeks ago, I was at the Face the Music conference when I heard a woman shout out: "But no one is going to remember Gangnam Style!" It was an interesting moment, because in spite of all my reservations about this decade's identity, I knew she was wrong. It is indisputable that people will remember that song, in the very same way that we can vividly recall the irksome refrain of Eiffel 65's Blue. I have to remind myself that it is simply not possible that an era can exist without its own sense of definition.

Japanese Youth in Revolt
Even if our listening practices are totally disparate, even if nothing is as massive as it once was, I know that we will remember those songs which are truly important. I know that it will all begin to make sense with the passing of time.

Cassettes & Chocolate Milk: Indiepop Podcast #51
Health - In Heat (Javelin Remix)
Joe Goddard - Gabriel (feat. Valentina)
Chairlift - Ghost Tonight
Yeasayer - Henrietta
Foster the People - Helena Beat
daXX - RSI Megademo
Washed Out - Belong
Major Lazer - Get Free (feat. Amber of Dirty Projectors)

Download (51.2 MB)

Many a thanks go out to today's listeners who endured a small dose of Cassettes and Chocolate. I hope to compile a podcast shortly for those who are too lazy to listen.

Radio 4 - Sink So Low
Kent - Just Like Money
The Strokes - Reptilia
Suede - Animal Nitrate
Nine Inch Nails - Only
Arctic Monkeys - Red Light Indicates Doors are Locked and Secured
Oasis - Don't Look Back in Anger
Libertines - France (demo)
Mclusky - To Hell With Good Intentions
Queen - Son and Daughter
Zutons - Pescher Point

To batter your broadband connection a little, here are a few of my favourite videos. Links are courtesy of Another Brick in the Wall. Bring it on.

Bjork - Army of Me [.mov]
So I'm thinking.. Bjork drives this HUGE truck and it breaks down. Its engine, which is a huge mouth with rotten teeth needs a diamond as its fuel. So Bjork goes to a dentist, who is a gorilla, by the way, and steals the diamond imbedded in her tongue. The pair engage in a vicious fight. Bjork wins however and she manages to return to the truck and throw the diamond into the engine. Driving along, she comes to a bizarre postmodern art gallery, walks in, sets a bomb to go off next to some unconscious dude who, for some reason, is posing as an exhibit. After the bomb explodes, she visits the ruins to find the dude has awaken. Bizarre and utterly sublime.

Blur - The Universal [.mov]
From my favourite Blur album, The Great Escape the videoclip for The Universal is an artful work. Although I can imagine many would scoff at the video's imagery, being thematically reminiscent of Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, I love the posing. I love the arrogance. I love the delicacy. Damon, you are so so pretty.

Dave Gahan in a tub
Depeche Mode - Barrel of a Gun [.mov]
Anton Corbijn has to be my favourite music video director by far. He began pioneering Depeche Mode's beautifully austere imagery from A Question of Time in 1986. He managed to transform a band, still haunted by the spectre of their young selves, into a seriously dark, depraved and visually fascinating group. Barrel of a Gun, a single from the band's 1997 album, Ultra features Dave Gahan, off his nut on drugs in Monaco. He wears some serious eye make-up, so much so that he actually has eyes painted on his eyelids, Garfield stylee. Band members, Martin Gore and Fletch look anxious and worried. Very dark.

Faithless - Mass Destruction [.mov]
An emotive, grimy and politically charged videoclip with children engaging in odd sadistic schoolyard antics.

Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood [.mpg]
An early incarnation of Damon Albarn's animated side-project, Gorillaz. The wickedly odd and dysfunctional bandmembers, Murdoc, 2-D, Noodle and Russel lurk around a cemetary with some possessed gorillas. Inspired.

Interpol - Evil [.mov]
Evil, the second single from the band's second album, Antics features a muppet who is injured in a car accident. Upon going into surgery, the muppet leaps onto the table and sings Paul Banks' final refrain: WHY CAN'T WE JUST LOOK THE OTHER WAY?

New Order - Confusion [.mov]
Otherwise known as FAC093, New Order's videoclip is the epitome of the 1980s New York dance scene. The group emerge from their New York cab, are frisked at the door of the club and watch breakdancers break to their beats. I should have existed during this time, I really should have.

Nine Inch Nails - Only [.mov]
Featured on the NIN's fifth studio effort, With Teeth, the videoclip to Only can only be described as looking like a SONY advertisement. But in a good way. Set in an executive's office, the stationary succumbs to the electronic drum beat as Trent Reznor appears in a pin-head. Incredible.

Pet Shop Boys - Go West [.mpg]
I know the Pet Shop Boys' cover of Go West has meant to have some kind of political significance but I can scarcely care for that sort of thing when a video has such delicious early 90s costumes, 3D artwork and colour schemes. Very Very.

The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up [.mov]
A confrontational 5 minute and 42 second insight into a night out in London town. Expect to see drugs, sex, drugs, violence, drugs, strip joints, drugs, prostitution, theft, drugs as well as an odd twist at the end. Interesting AND stomach turning.

The Beatles - Don't Let Me Down [.ram]
This is a segment of the Beatles' final performance, live from the rooftop of Apple Studios in January 1969. To me, this rendition of Don't Let Me Down is nothing short of awe-inspiring. This footage captured my heart when I was 14 and I've been fascinated with it ever since. Maybe it's the idea of doing a concert in an unusual place. Maybe it's the idea of capturing the attention of the common folk down on the streets below.. or maybe it's that improvised organ solo. Who can really put these things into words anyway?

The Clash - London Calling [.mpg]
According to my brother, Andrew, London Calling was the first music video effort for director Don Letts. The video meant to have featured The Clash playing on a barge on the river Thames during the day. However, the shoot "took too long" and it got dark. To make matters worse it started raining too. So any alleged "effect" during this video is purely accidental but rather fetching in a Mick Jones sort of way.

The Libertines - Don't Look Back Into the Sun [.mov]
This video involves Pete Doherty stealing a CD in HMV, Carl Barat having a shower with his entourage of fangirls and Pete and Carl, together, aimlessly wandering around Pall Mall in their beautiful red libertine jackets. Swoon.

Other Favourites:
Radiohead - Just [.mov]
The Cure - Love Song [.mov]
The Strokes - 12:51 [.mov]
The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army [.mpeg]
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps [.mov]

Comment on your favourite videos! Til next week!