15 essential Broadcast tracks and the records where you can find them

Broadcast
‘The World Backwards’
(From The Book Lovers EP, Duophonic, 1996)

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After sending a demo tape to Stereolab, Broadcast were courted by manager Martin Pike, who was intrigued by their unique sound. Their next release would be on Stereolab’s Duophonic imprint and The Book Lovers EP was, in many ways, the band’s first real breakthrough; the record’s four songs were more strident, displaying the confidence and power that was only hinted at on their debut single. With drummer Steve Perkins and guitarist Tim Felton now fleshing out the group’s arrangements, Broadcast’s sound drew parallels to the cult psych band that initially brought the group together. The oscillating keyboard motifs, melodic basslines, and jazz-inspired drumming anchoring Keenan’s quiet-yet-commanding vocals were highly reminiscent of The United States Of America’s 1968 album. But where The USA’s hot-wired psych grew from the seeds of Californian flower-power and increasing disenchantment over Summer Of Love idealism, Broadcast replaced that with the loneliness and isolation of Midlands life and a bit of Left Bank cool.

While all four of the EP’s songs are memorable, ‘The World Backwards’ is perhaps the highlight, with everyone’s contributions gelling into a tour-de-force performance that displays the group’s muscle as a live unit. Cargill’s bassline provides the melodic backbone, Felton’s aeriform guitar floats above the ground ominously and Stevens’ keyboards dance around in counterpoint while Perkins’ drums propel the song forward. Keenan, meanwhile, delivers her most buoyant vocal yet; her dexterous runs give the song an assertive strength that would be used sparingly in these early years, but would see greater fruition as time passed.

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