Can it really the best part of a decade since Blur and Oasis were battling it out at the top of the charts, Fred Perrys were the coolest item of clothing around and Camden was the centre of the pop universe? Apparently so, which means that the age of Britpop is officially history and therefore a fit subject for nostalgia. Released to coincide with a new feature-length documentary, Live Forever does a fine job of evoking those days when American grunge had been swept away in favour of a new brand of indie that was smart, literate and in thrall to everything 60s. It didn't last long, of course - but while it did, it produced plenty of memorable singles ('Common People', 'Parklife', 'Inbetweener'), most of which have held up remarkably well. And while bands such as Cast, Sleeper and Echobelly never really lived up to their early promise, this compilation proves that they certainly had their moments - and deserve to be remembered. Live Forever? Not quite - but at least it was fun while it lasted.
