Bloodsports

Ah, SUEDE. The band that convinced many a teenager in the 90s that wearing eyeliner was a good idea. And now, here we are 10 years after the release of "Bloodsports," the album that saw the band make a triumphant return to form, or at least try to. The 10th Anniversary Edition of "Bloodsports" is a mixed bag, to say the least. On one hand, you have the classic tracks like "Barriers" and "It Starts and Ends with You," which still sound fresh and exciting. On the other hand, you have the bonus tracks, which feel like leftovers from the cutting room floor. Brett Anderson's vocals are as haunting as ever, soaring over the anthemic guitars and pulsating drums. But there's something missing from this re-release, something that made the original album so special. Perhaps it's the raw energy and passion that the band had when they first burst onto the scene. Overall, "Bloodsports" is a reminder of why SUEDE were such an important band in the Britpop era. It's a shame that this anniversary edition doesn't quite live up to the original, but hey, at least it's still got us reaching for the eyeliner.