5 Classic British Albums That Turn 30 Next Year
It is hard to believe that 1997 was nearly 30 years ago, but music fans will have plenty of reasons to feel nostalgic in 2027. The year was a particularly memorable one for British music, with some of the biggest bands of the era releasing albums that would go on to become classics.
Britpop was still enjoying enormous popularity, although the musical landscape was beginning to change. Oasis and Blur remained major forces, while The Verve, Stereophonics and Travis were establishing themselves as some of the most exciting British bands around.
All five of these albums are celebrating their 30th anniversaries next year, and with insight from Lad Casino, here is a look back at some of the records that helped define British music in the late 1990s.
1. Be Here Now – Oasis
Few albums arrived with quite as much anticipation as Oasis' third studio album, Be Here Now. Released in August 1997, it followed the enormous success of Definitely Maybe and (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, with expectations reaching extraordinary levels.
The album initially received a huge reception, becoming the fastest-selling album in UK chart history at the time. Featuring singles such as 'D'You Know What I Mean?', 'Stand By Me' and 'All Around The World', it certainly wasn't short of memorable moments.
However, its legacy has become more complicated over the years. While some fans regard it as an underrated masterpiece, others believe it represented the point at which Oasis became too indulgent, with lengthy tracks and heavily layered production.
Regardless of where you stand, Be Here Now remains an important part of the Oasis story. It captured the band at the height of their fame and perfectly reflected the excess and confidence of the Britpop era.
2. Urban Hymns – The Verve
If there is one album from 1997 that has arguably aged better than almost any other, it is Urban Hymns by The Verve.
Released in September, it was the band's third studio album and represented a huge commercial breakthrough. While The Verve had already enjoyed success with their earlier psychedelic rock releases, Urban Hymns introduced them to a much wider audience.
Much of that success was driven by 'Bitter Sweet Symphony', one of the defining British songs of the decade. Its instantly recognisable string arrangement and Richard Ashcroft's reflective lyrics helped turn it into an enduring anthem.
However, there was much more to the album than its biggest single. 'The Drugs Don't Work' became another enormous hit, while 'Lucky Man', 'Sonnet' and 'Space and Time' demonstrated the band's ability to produce emotionally powerful music.
Urban Hymns went on to become one of the best-selling British albums of all time, cementing The Verve's place among the country's most successful rock bands.
Thirty years later, it remains an album that can be enjoyed from beginning to end.
3. Word Gets Around – Stereophonics
Before they became one of Britain's biggest rock bands, Stereophonics were a relatively unknown group from the small Welsh village of Cwmaman.
That all began to change with the release of their debut album, Word Gets Around, in August 1997.
Fronted by Kelly Jones, the band quickly established a reputation for their distinctive sound, combining alternative rock with storytelling that often focused on ordinary people and everyday situations.
The album featured several songs that would become staples of their live performances, including 'Local Boy in the Photograph', 'More Life in a Tramp's Vest' and 'A Thousand Trees'.
Rather than relying on the typical themes associated with rock music, Stereophonics offered something a little different. Their songs painted vivid pictures of characters, relationships and experiences, with Jones' unmistakable voice giving the material plenty of personality.
Word Gets Around eventually reached number six in the UK Albums Chart and helped establish the foundations for an incredibly successful career.
The band would go on to release several more commercially successful records, but their debut remains a favourite among long-standing fans.
4. Good Feeling – Travis
Long before Travis became associated with the softer, more melodic side of British guitar music, they released a debut album that was considerably more energetic.
Good Feeling arrived in October 1997 and introduced the world to a band that would go on to become one of the biggest British acts of the following decade.
Produced by Steve Lillywhite, the album showcased a more guitar-driven sound than the records that would later bring Travis widespread commercial success.
Tracks such as 'All I Want To Do Is Rock', 'U16 Girls' and 'Tied To The 90s' demonstrated the band's ability to produce catchy alternative rock songs, while Fran Healy's songwriting offered an early glimpse of what was to come.
Although Good Feeling didn't initially achieve the same commercial success as some of the other albums on this list, it has developed a strong following over the years.
Travis would eventually find international success with albums such as The Man Who and The Invisible Band, but their debut deserves recognition as an important starting point.
It is also a reminder that the band were once a considerably louder proposition than their later reputation might suggest.
5. Blur – Blur
By 1997, Blur had already established themselves as one of the leading bands of the Britpop movement. However, their self-titled fifth studio album demonstrated that they were not interested in standing still.
Released in February 1997, Blur marked a significant change in musical direction, moving away from the distinctly British sound that had characterised albums such as Parklife and The Great Escape.
Instead, the band embraced a more American-influenced alternative rock sound, with guitarist Graham Coxon playing a particularly important role in shaping the record.
The album's biggest single, 'Song 2', became an international hit and remains one of Blur's most recognisable songs. Its explosive chorus and famous 'woo-hoo' refrain have made it a favourite at sporting events and on soundtracks around the world.
Other highlights included 'Beetlebum', 'M.O.R.' and 'On Your Own', showcasing a band willing to experiment with different sounds and influences.
While some fans may prefer Blur's earlier Britpop material, their self-titled album demonstrated an impressive ability to reinvent themselves.
A Special Year For British Music
Looking back at 1997, it is remarkable just how many influential British albums were released within the space of 12 months.
Oasis were enjoying the peak of their popularity, The Verve produced one of the defining albums of the decade, and Stereophonics and Travis were beginning journeys that would make them household names.
Meanwhile, Blur demonstrated that there was life beyond Britpop, experimenting with a different sound and opening the door to a new chapter in their career.
Thirty years is a long time in music, but these five albums have stood the test of time. Whether you were buying them on CD when they first came out or discovering them years later through streaming services, they are all worthy of another listen in 2027.