Saint Etienne – Foxbase Alpha

Foxbase Alpha, the debut album by Saint Etienne, is a landmark in British indie-dance music. Released in 1991, it blends 1960s pop influences with contemporary club culture, creating a unique sound that has stood the test of time. The album's innovative use of samples and eclectic musical styles set it apart from its contemporaries.

The album features standout tracks like "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," a cover of Neil Young's song, and "Nothing Can Stop Us," which showcases the band's ability to merge different genres seamlessly. Foxbase Alpha's success helped establish Saint Etienne as pioneers in the indie-dance scene, influencing numerous artists in the years that followed.

Reviews

"Foxbase Alpha sounds like a band trying to reimagine the city as a dreamy Anglo-continental metropolis." – Pitchfork

"An album whose biggest hit transposes a Neil Young song into dub reggae couldn't be accused of parochialism." – Pitchfork

"Foxbase Alpha is a record that charms you into a gooey stupor, rather than burns your eye with visionary vastness." – Melody Maker

"Touching, humorous and genuinely bloody interesting." – NME