Slum Clearance

The Siddeleys, “Slum Clearance” (Clarendon Matinée, 2001; original recordings 1985-87)
The Siddeleys were part of the mid-to-late ‘80s “C86” scene that pioneered Brit indie-pop. Their sound was strummy and redolent of the ‘60s, girl-group/Brit Invasion retro-roots drawn on by their peers, but choppier, more angular and post-punky. Picture a cross between Heavenly and the Fall, but more distinctive, with a smoky Tracey Thorn-esque lead vocalist. More than most stuff from the period, this sounds very mid-‘00s contemporary; the sensibility is witty, sardonic, self-conscious, hyper-verbal. Great stuff.
Try 1, 5, 6, 8, 10