9. Big StarRadio City
The departure of Chris Bell is important here. On #1 Record you had the dual songwriting skills of Chris Bell and Alex Chilton, but Chris Bell is obviously much more into brighter pop music, even though it was a slightly skewed take on pop. When you read about their influences and the kind of bands that they wanted to be associated with they still came up with something very different. I love it in music when people try and do something in league with other people but it turns out to be a completely different kettle of fish. Radio City is dark. Big Star were never lauded during their lifetime to the degree which they deserved. Chilton liked the darker side of things and liked making things difficult for himself is what I understand from reading about him. He was probably a very tricky person to be around. He was always trying to rebel against this Box Tops image that everyone had of him. Radio City, while nowhere near as a bleak as Third/Sister Lovers, it has those elements to it which mean you can tell where he’s going. ‘September Gurls’ is possibly the greatest pop anthem that never was. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like that track.
