Various Artists - C88

C88 is a three-disc box set compilation released in 2017 that documents the British indie pop and underground guitar music scene of 1988. Acting as a chronological sequel to the iconic 1986 C86 cassette tape and the subsequent C87 box set, this collection captures a transitional period in independent music. It features 71 tracks packaged in a deluxe clamshell box, accompanied by a comprehensive 9,000-word booklet containing band biographies and historical context written by original C86 co-compiler Neil Taylor.

The compilation highlights the evolution of the genre as the original "shambling" jangle-pop sound began fusing with early shoegaze, power pop, and the burgeoning Madchester scene. Disc one primarily focuses on artists who made their vinyl debut or major breakthrough in 1988, featuring landmark tracks like "Elephant Stone" by The Stone Roses and "Colours and Shapes" by Pale Saints. The remaining discs showcase rare singles, B-sides, and cult classics from era defining acts like The House of Love, The Vaselines, and Inspiral Carpets, alongside key releases from influential independent record labels like Sarah Records and Creation.

C88, released in 2017, stands as a brilliant, meticulously assembled three-disc time capsule that captures the British indie underground at a fascinating crossroads. Serving as the chronological successor to the legendary C86 cassette and the subsequent C87 box set, this 71-track collection shifts its focus to 1988. It was a year when the "shambling" innocence of early jangle-pop began fracturing under the weight of its own tropes, forced to either adapt or retreat deeper into the fringes. What emerges here is a rich, occasionally chaotic portrait of a musical subculture inadvertently preparing for a massive shift toward the mainstream.

By 1988, the landscape of independent music in the UK was trapped in a distinct pull between creative experimentation and commercial ambition. The initial explosive energy of the C86 movement had cooled, leaving a scene split between traditionalists who clung to jangly Rickenbacker guitars and forward-thinking pioneers who were looking toward acid house, shoegaze, and heavier American alternative rock. This compilation brilliantly charts that exact friction. It documents the final moments of pure, localized indie exceptionalism right before the "Madchester" boom and the subsequent alternative explosion blew the doors of the underground wide open.

Disc one serves as the set's primary anchor, spotlighting the acts that made their definitive vinyl debuts or critical breakthroughs during the year. The undeniable centerpieces of this disc are The Stone Roses' iconic "Elephant Stone" (produced by Peter Hook) and a rare, airy demo version of "Colours and Shapes" by Pale Saints. These tracks display a staggering leap in production values and swagger compared to their predecessors. They hint directly at the looming cultural dominance of guitar-dance crossovers and atmospheric shoegaze that would come to define the early 1990s.

Conversely, discs two and three dive headfirst into the deeply entrenched, hyper-literate, and fiercely independent factions of the era. This is where the box set becomes a treasure trove for deep-crate diggers, tracking the continuing evolution of benchmark acts like The House of Love, The Vaselines, and Inspiral Carpets. It shines a well-deserved light on the golden eras of iconic boutique labels like Creation, 53rd & 3rd, and Sarah Records, the latter of which is beautifully represented by the pristine, glistening pop of The Orchids' "Defy the Law".

What keeps C88 from becoming a purely predictable nostalgia trip is its dedication to showcasing the absolute oddballs and outliers of the scene. For every piece of sweet, "twee" guitar pop from bands like The Flatmates or The Pooh Sticks, the tracklist pivots to unexpected detours. Listeners are treated to the abrasive, angular post-punk of The Great Leap Forward, the surf-fuzzed energy of The Fizzbombs, and the theatrical, Edwardian-influenced lo-fi pop of Would-Be-Goods' "The Camera Loves Me". These jagged contrasts prove that the 1988 underground was far less homogenous than history often suggests.

Ultimately, C88 is an essential, highly rewarding release that benefits immensely from Cherry Red's signature deluxe packaging. Accompanied by a massive booklet featuring comprehensive band biographies by original C86 co-compiler Neil Taylor, the set treats these long-lost, shoestring-budget singles with the historical reverence they deserve. While a handful of filler tracks inevitably slip into a 71-song tracklist, the overwhelming majority of the album bursts with a sparkling, adventurous spirit. It is an indispensable collection for anyone wanting to understand how the British indie scene survived its post-punk hangover to reinvent modern alternative music.

Ripped to MP3

Disc 1 Focus: 

Features artists who made their primary debut or initial impact in 1988. This includes mainstream breakout acts like The Stone Roses (with "Elephant Stone") and Pale Saints, alongside cult favorites like The Pooh Sticks, The Man From Delmonte, and Bridewell Taxis.

Disc 2 & 3 Focus: 

Revisits staple bands of the era with rarer singles or B-sides. Notable acts include The House of Love, The Vaselines, The Darling Buds, The Shamen, Inspiral Carpets, and key bands from iconic indie labels like Sarah Records, Creation, and 53rd & 3rd.