Suede (Deluxe Version)

Even before releasing a single, Suede sparked a sea change in the early ‘90s British music scene. Their live shows lured London’s indie set away from shoegazing with an uncanny fusion of Bowie-inspired glam-rock and Smiths -influenced balladry. With a palpable chemistry between their androgynous frontman Brett Anderson and hip-shaking guitar hero Bernard Butler, it didn’t take long for the hype to snowball. But their 1993 eponymous debut surpassed all hype with great songs and rock ‘n’ roll seduction. Anderson croons “Oh, what turns you on?” in the catchy chorus of “Animal Nitrate,” mixing bravado with libido as Butler casts out soaring guitar leads loaded with barbed melodic hooks. “The Drowners” is another instantly likable standout. Its elegantly trashy appropriation of ‘70s glitter-rock is bolstered to poetic street-punk romance. As balladeers, Suede confidently infused the drama of young hormonal urgency with the emotional nourishment that can only come from listening to music in one’s bedroom – “Sleeping Pills” is a perfect example of this. The 2011 Deluxe Version boasts four previously unreleased demos including fan favorite “He’s Dead.”