100 Greatest Tracks of the 00’s #52 Broadcast – Come On Let’s Go

Released: 2000

When asked by Ben Thompson of Mojo about a potential scene developing in the West Midlands made up of bands with a kinship to Broadcast’s cinematic pop-noir, singer Trish Keenan was eager to pour cold water on the idea. “It’s all very rock. Ocean Colour Scene are still pretty big and every band is four blokes — three guitarists and a kit. All you can see is Marshall amps… it just looks so barren.”

Keenan was speaking after the release of the band’s debut album The Music Made By People. Formed in 1995 after she met James Cargill, Broadcast had become one of the first non-electronic outfits signed to the Warp label, their 1997 compilation Work and Non Work showcasing sci-fi boffin pop adjacent to Stereolab, or St.Etienne if their degree had been in Mechanical Engingeering.

The album’s title track was the inner part of their outer limits, Keenan gently pulling a reluctant subject out of harm’s way, the recherché motifs the sound of a band at their most effervescent and straightforward. The album was met with a considerable amount of critical warmth, but despite it’s deflected influence, it didn’t inspire a cabal of like minded spirits – and there were to be no more Barbarellas from The Bullring.