Noddy Holder's March 1996 single reviews

Noddy Holder reviewed a batch of single releases for Select magazine's March 1996 issue, covering Oasis's cover of "Cum On Feel The Noize" (the B-side to "Don't Look Back In Anger"), Smashing Pumpkins' "1979", Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Aeroplane", Lush's "Ladykillers", Rocket From The Crypt's "Born In '69", The Flaming Lips' "This Here Giraffe" and Nick Cave with PJ Harvey's "Henry Lee".

The quick takeaway for music fans: Holder — better known as Slade's vociferous frontman and national institution — was not merely indulging in nostalgia. His notes from the issue show a genuine engagement with mid‑90s alternative sounds and a willingness to praise surprising picks while passing on others.

"Whatever they're on, I want some!"
— Noddy Holder

Holder praised Smashing Pumpkins' "1979" as part of a wider appreciation for the band's varied style, noting the song rewards repeated listens. He welcomed Oasis's cheeky nod to Slade on their cover of "Cum On Feel The Noize", approving the humour in the vocal delivery even as he acknowledged it sat comfortably alongside the band's expanding catalogue.

Not every 90s staple passed Holder's test. He found Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Aeroplane" meandering rather than essential, and suggested Rocket From The Crypt's "Born In '69" might need more time to cohere. By contrast, he singled out Lush's "Ladykillers" as Single Of The Month, highlighting its instant stickiness and the small production details that make pop hooks land.

Holder also warmed to darker, literary numbers: he compared the atmosphere of Nick Cave and PJ Harvey's "Henry Lee" to the work of singer‑songwriters with a gravitas that rewards close listening, and flagged The Flaming Lips for their out‑there charm and unpredictability.

Why this matters now: the piece is a reminder that mainstream stars from rock's glam era could be keen, informed listeners of alternative currents in the 1990s. For collectors, music historians or anyone tracing unexpected lines between generations, Holder's Select reviews are a small but telling snapshot of how artists cross-pollinated tastes during a transitional moment in British and American rock.