Call it the Beatles/Cliff Richard paradox. For every Fab Four Britain exports, there’s an English sensation that can’t get arrested in the States. Here are a few of Britain’s latest idols and how America voted.
Oasis supernovas, Blur black holes
Both bands are institutions in the UK, but Oasis, on the back of “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” and hits “Wonderwall” and “Champagne Supernova,” was the one that went platinum here. Blur remains the artful, underappreciated underdog.
Coldplay freezes out Travis
Coldplay should be paying Travis royalties. Chris Martin’s whole aesthetic is based on Travis’ “The Man Who,” an album said to be in one out of 10 British households.
Snow Patrol plows through Keane
Keane was as poppy and palatable as James Blunt with none of the schlocky terribleness. But America opted for Snow Patrol and its talent for turning every song into a cliched Coldplay-ish crescendo.
Radiohead’s OK, the rest of you are creeps
Like Pink Floyd before them, the quartet’s experiments are hugely successful on both sides of the Atlantic. Dozens of Brits have tried to repeat Radiohead’s non-formula formula. It worked at home for Muse, Elbow, Clinic, Bloc Party and the Futureheads, but here they’re considered arty, indie posers.
