REVIEW: 'Upside Down: The Creation Records Story'

Authorised documentary on the UK's inspired and dissolute music label, Creation Records. Featuring Oasis, The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream, Boo Radleys and more. Now playing, click for movie times and trailer.

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An interesting and more traditional companion piece to Michael Winterbottom's 24 Hour Party People, Upside Down details the rise and demise of a fiercely independent British record label that ended up producing the mainstream sound of a generation.

Mixing archival footage, including music videos, live performances, interviews and talking heads, debutant director O'Connor's lively documentary goes some way to capturing the eclectic and eccentric nature of the label's management and recording artists – “a collection of outsiders, chancers and misfits'', as founder Alan McGee eloquently puts it.

He is the undoubted star of the show (despite the presence of Noel Gallagher) – the "one man charge of the light brigade'' who could "start a riot in a paper bag'' – as he details he drug-fuelled lifestyle, talent-spotting ability (although he was convinced Welsh-group Super Furry Animals couldn't actually speak English) musical obsessions and how his ambition eventually outstripped the company's finances.

Throw in sage musical advice from BP Fallon and you have a doco that the late great Dylan Tate would be proud of.

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