Many of you reading this will complain about why Verve and Swervedriver aren't on this list under the "UK" section. I just think they rock too hard in a classic sense, and I mean that as a compliment.
Coined by the music press at NME and Melody Maker, “Shoegaze” (some people still call it “Dream-pop” or “Space-rock”) is a moniker that reveals a unique style built around effects and sound. The influence of The Beatles, Cocteau Twins, and The Jesus and Mary Chain can be heard in almost every band listed. The UK shoegaze scene soared with several fresh and invigorating EPs throughout the late 80's and early 90's. But the lack of musicanship and emotion killed many albums and follow-ups leaving an open door for the incoming Britpop wasteland. Here are the best long-players from the UK and the USA (in no particular order):
The Morning Benders will storm Southern California to coincide with the release of their
debut LP "Talking Through Tin Cans" by stopping by the Echo this
Thursday May 8th. If you purchase the album through their website, you
can get a free ticket to their show as well as assorted b-sides and
goodies. I managed to sit down on a windy afternoon and ask Chris Chu
(Vocals/Guitars) and Joe Ferrell (Guitars) some questions about their
album and tour with The Kooks.
LR: Congratulations on the
upcoming release of the album. I was impressed that Chris is credited
for producing, engineering, and mixing the album. Was it difficult
wearing that many hats?
CC: It was a lot of running around.
Especially when I was working on my own parts. When I was tracking I
would move microphones around and play something and then run into the
control room. It was a busy experience.
LR: Is it something you would want to do again?
CC: I think I probably will always have some input. I would like to have
someone else do certain parts of it. A lot of the time I am trying to
find a sound. It is distracting when you are turning knobs and find
something that is interesting as well.
Video for The Music's "Strength In Numbers" from the forthcoming Strength In Numbers LP (Virgin)
Jason Anderson
The Hopeful and The Unafraid
2008 | K records
Jason Anderson can tell a great story, you just have to be willing to listen. Oh,
yeah, and to have heard of him too. The Hopeful and The Unafraid is the
newest release from this frenetically industrious artist, capturing
much of his live magic in studio format.
"El Paso", the first
track off the album, for some reason I can't put my finger on, reminds
me of Bruce Springsteen. He's yelling out a story at you, it's
energetic, and you feel compelled to keep hanging on through the builds
to hear the conclusion. Or maybe it's the touch of Americana, not goofy
apple pies and baseball, but dusty highways and lazy, twangy guitars.
The title track "The Hopeful and The Unafraid", is really a powerful
track that makes it hard not to dance to. Anderson is able to feel
inspired by the likes of Van Morrison with his yeah yeah yeah's and horn section blaring back at him on this
track, but finds a medium between not sounding like a throwback, and
yet not trying to sound just plain old. Continuously on The Hopeful and
The Unafraid I find myself surprised by the subtle simplicity of many
of the tracks ("Ohio"), and the raw power found just underneath the
surface of them.
Occasionally the music takes over, and the
vocals seem to melt away into the background only to dive back to the
forefront later on. I don't know if this was intentional or not.
Sometimes it works, sometimes I wish I could hear him a bit better.
"July 4th" tends to carry on in this way with the vocals. Otherwise, it
is a solid album from a musician that could use just a little more
spotlight. I'd recommend listening to "El Paso", "The Hopeful and The
Unafraid", and "The Half of It".
-Elana Rintala
Angus Andrew from Liars phones in from the road before their stop at the El Rey theatre on 2/22 with No Age. I recommend you pick up tickets here as it could very well be a special tour ending show.
LR: How is it going Angus?
AA: It’s good mate. How are you?
LR: Not too bad. The proverbial first question for you..How is the back holding up?
AA: It’s fucked man. I got no other way of saying it. I don’t know if you
can print those words but its not a hundred percent. Its getting there
slowly you know the grease in the joints are loosening up. I am
certainly not the nimble guy I was a couple of years ago.
LR: I thought the tour would be sponsored by Icy Hot.
AA: (Laughs).. Mine would be Tiger Balm. I like that stuff.
Video for The Sword's "Maiden, Mother, & Crone" from Gods of the Earth (Kemado). Directed by Artificial Army.
Video for The Music Tapes "Minister Of Longitude" from Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes due out August 19th on Merge.
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