We Cast Music: Lessons Learned From Rocky I to Rocky III

Song: Lessons Learned From Rocky I to Rocky III
Artist: Cornershop
Album: Handcream for a Generation

You will probably best know Cornershop from the Fatboy Slim remix of their 1997 semi-hit “Brimful of Asha.” The remix was killer, but it’s an amazing song from an amazing album, “When I Was Born for the Seventh Time.” I always loved the video of that song, and honestly, as much as I love her, thought Liz Phair’s “Why Can’t I?” was a bit of a rip-off.

Cornershop were formed in 1992 by British-Indian Tjinder Singh. Their sound is a mix of indie-pop with traditional Indian and dance music touches. It’s quite a mash-up, and the result is one of the more unique sounds to come out of the music scene. “Born for the Seventh Time” is a must, as it’s a very solid representation of their sound, and the songs are just very very good. Their next official Cornershop album, 2002’s “Handcream for a Generation” went into a more dance direction, and every song sounds very different form the one before. (“When I Was Born” is a more sonic whole.) I still love the record, and first single “Lessons Learned From Rocky I to Rocky III” is still hands down a should-have-been alt-rock smash. It’s catchy, it rocks, and as my friend Dave had said, “it has the best title for a song… EVER.” Right on.

“Handcream” has a slew of off-the-wall pop tunes including “Spectral Mornings,” a fourteen-minute plus Indian jam that despite it’s length, is fun, catchy, and well… epic. The band famously created a live remix of the song that lasted a full twenty four hours. I haven’t heard it… I’m not sure anyone could really do it in one sitting. The fourteen minute version is enough for me. Other highlights include “The London Radar,” “Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform,” and “People Power.”

Between both of these albums Cornershop released a side project called Clinton with the album “Disco and the Half Way to Discontent.” It’s a fun loungy/dance, very silly record that I quite like. To be honest I am not sure why this wasn’t just a new Cornershop record, it’s that good… and while the start of their more dance influence, a good bridge between the two records. “People Power” was originally on this record, in a groovier version. I recommend it anyhow.

I have heard word that they are working on a new record which is due at the beginning of next year. Anticipation!!

Enjoy.

Brimful of Asha