I can’t say I was too invested in the artistic success of Creation Stories, the film adaptation of Creation Records honcho Alan McGee’s 2013 memoir Creation Stories: Riots, Raves, and Running a Label, but was at least hoping it would be a decent ’90s companion piece of sorts to 24 Hour Party People, Michael Winterbottom’s excellent 2002 film on Tony Wilson, Joy Division, and Factory Records.
Unfortunately, it’s not even close. Poor sound, random editing, and clichéd visual effects are the most egregious failings, but it generally feels low-budget, thrown together, and lazy. I’m not suggesting that music executive memoirs naturally make great cinema but even just a little bit of care and craft probably could have made this pic passable. Or at least more fun.
Anyways, if there’s a positive to the existence of the film, it’s people talking about Creation Records. First off, there’s been a number of interviews with the man himself, Alan McGee, about the Creation days and his somehow coming out the other side alive:
Alan McGee: ‘I’m glad I’m sober and not an absolute nut job’ @ The Irish Times
Alan McGee: ‘We all took too many drugs, my behaviour was quite mad’ @ The Independent
Inside the new Creation Records movie with founder Alan McGee @ MusicWeek
Alan McGee: ‘I was, and still am, a record geek’ @ Islington Tribune
The listicles about their massively influential catalog thankfully go well past talking about Oasis:
Creation Records, the Label History Loves to Overlook @ Vulture
10 Albums That Shaped Creation Records @ Clash
From My Bloody Valentine to Oasis, Creation Records’ 21 Best Records @ BrooklynVegan
And in addition to that run-down, BrooklynVegan solicited reminisces and lists from a number of high-profile Creation artists, including Slowdive, Swervedriver, and Ride:
Slowdive tell us about their favorite Creation Records releases @ BrooklynVegan
Swervedriver’s Adam Franklin tells us about his favorite Creation Records releases @ BrooklynVegan
Ride’s Andy Bell tells us about his favorite Creation Records releases @ BrooklynVegan
Teenage Fanclub’s Norman Blake lists his favorite Creation Records singles @ BrooklynVegan
Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys gives us his Top 10 Creation Records releases @ BrooklynVegan
And oh yeah, if I’m talking film I guess I should post the trailer:
