Record Labels #5 - Hut Records

I couldn't find a record logo so here's a picture of a hut

 

Not really an independent, they were a wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin. They nevertheless functioned as an independent in the 90s and released some very good records many of them vaguely 'shoegazey'

 

1. Moose - Jack

 

I think a couple of the members of Moose had worked in London's Record & Tape Exchange and it sounds it. Had some reasonable indie successes and played John Peel sessions. Were generally lumped into the Shoegaze or Scene That Celebrates Itself much beloved by Melody Maker.

 

2. The Auteurs - How Could I Be Wrong

 

 

Pre-cursors of Brit Pop though lead singer Luke Haines probably wouldn't thank you for saying so. First album New Wave is a work of genius and should be owned by everybody.

 

3.Revolver - Heaven Sent An Angel

 

The sound of 1991. Could probably not exist without Ride and My Bloody Valentine. Their name wrote their reviews. Sadly ran out of bullets fairly quickly.

 

4. The Smashing Pumpkins - Disarm

 

 

One of the label's big acts. Much derided by contemporaries and critics as opportunists, they probably would have been a metal band in the 80s. Still, some of their records were remarkably powerful. I was obsessed by them for a while. I remember listening to this at a friend's flat for the first time almost 20 years ago and it sent a chill down you. Went to see them in Cologne a few days later and they were extraordinary. They were supported by -

 

5. The Verve - A Man Called Sun

 

 

Another of the labels big acts. They weren't so impressive in Cologne but it wasn't their gig and their moment was to come with Urban Hymns. Some of their early records were great atmospheric slabs of sound.

 

6. Daryll-Ann

 

 

A Dutch band who toured a fair bit with Bette Serveert the other notable alternative

and of the time. This is a very sweet song.

 

7.McAlmont and Butler

 

 

Britpop meets Motown. Sounded like nothing else around it when it came out. Very brave if nothing else but I don't think it's as good as it thinks it is..

 

8. Gomez - 78 Stone Wobble

 

 

I loved this record when it came out. This was also a band that was also quite derided by critics in time as dope smoking middle class Home Counties wasters. This is not actually a crime.

 

9. Placebo - Nancy Boy

 

 

This man's voice always seemed to me like the sound of fingernails scraping down a blackboard. Some might also find the picture posted here quite disturbing. Sorry. They were on Hut.

 

10. Drop Nineteens - Winona

 

 

Shoegazing Boston band. Quite an odd idea in itself.