Jessamine

Jessamine is probably one of the most interesting (and idyosincratic) act to come from the Pacific Northwest (later moving to Ohio) during the early '90. While the world was being dominated by the Grunge wave, Jessamine's musicanship was much more based on the british scene than its flanneled fellows, incorporating a wide range of elements such as Space Rock, Drone and even Krautrock in its sonic soup. After releasing its first demo material at 1993-94, they called attention from the legendary label Kranky, who released its self-titled debut at 1994. Although this album flew under the radar back then, it was surely one of the peak moments of the (really) noisy music of the mid-'90, when Shoegaze scene had already faded to a distant dream and many bands were already dissolving or disappearing from our line of sight. After the debut, they released two more records until its demise at 1999, both really stellar, although not on pair with the debut. That's why it's featured right below on .flac version, for your enjoyment and discovery in case you didn't have a chance to taste Jessamine's beautiful noise for whatever reasons (that I expect is not laziness or pure musical illiteracy...).


Well, as usual, just enjoy!

Bailter Space

Bailter space may be largley unknown here in the occidental world, but they are kind of underground heroes at their homeland, Christchurch, New Zealand. It's not hard to see why. They were formed in the already dusty 1987 and released a stream of gems until the mid-'90, being acclaimed by the press and gaining a cult following from those hungry for noisy and fuzzy sonicscapes, yet possessing a great sense of melody in all their work. Unfortunately, they disbanded and disappeared from the radar at '98 (like 98% of the first generation Shoegaze-and-related bands did), despite some solo concerts from one of the members (Alister Parker, more exactly) and a retrospective album released in 2004. They reformed at about 2008, played some gigs, had fun and, by 2012, released their first brand new material in almost one and a half decade. Named Strabosphere, it shows a mature band in a very good shape, making droning, abrasive yet hooky songs that will appeal a lot for those affictionated by the likes of Sonic Youth, Pixies (you can see echoes from Francis Black specially in the vocal lines), Jesus and Mary Chain and, obviously, their earlier work. 

It's always great to see many and many classical old school bands coming back and propagating their name (and increasing their legacy) for those who couldn't catch them at those sweet old times. Together with the new school incandescent bands that we're seeing lately, we can see a golden time about to come (if it's not here, already!).

//update: new album, Trinine, available for download right below. Enjoy!








get it!

get it! (new link from Mega)

Mixtape #22

Hello, ladies and gentlemen! Here we are with the 22th edition of loverswhoareseekers mixtape, to make a good start of the last trimester (yeah, time's passing by way too fast, I know) of this turbulent year of 2013. 

This time, we collected 13 songs ranging from the usual Shoegaze and Noise Pop we all love so much to the lo-fi, Electronica, Neo-psychedelia and even Coldwave spheres, featuring classic oldschool artists such as Seefeel, which opens the mixtape with the track Plainsong (taken from the classic '93 Quique), Lush (with the song Downer, taken from the Gaia compilation), Kitchens of Distinction (Drive That Fast), Sweet Jesus (criminally underrated first-generation gazers, here featured by the song Honey Loving Honey), Smashing Orange (a perfect combination of Grunge and Gaze, with the song Cherry Rider), besides another sadly under-appreciated old times act, Revolver, whose chosen song is Molasses, taken from their great '92 compilation of early singles called Baby's Angry. Also usual, there's also space for brand new tunes and newsomcers, as Flying Low, one of the songs by the brand, shining latest Mazzy Star album, as well as lo-fi-esque noise poppers of Gauntlet Hair, the melting psychedelia of Lorelle Meets The Obsolete, the "tropical goth" gloominess of White Hex, the relaxing chillwave of Washed Out, and, finally, the Sonic Youth's apprentices' Grooms, here featured with Prom. 

That's probably the most diversified mixtape I've made so far. As usual, I hope you enjoy it and have a great October! ;)






 




tracklist  /  listen

Mixtape #21

Hello, ladies, gentlemen and aliens! The mixtape #21 of our cherished blog has "EP-exclusive songs" as its theme. Yeah, that means it features only songs released exclusively on EPs. For the newbies or those who were in coma in the last 20 ~25 years or so, most Shoegaze/Dream Pop bands (specially the oldschool ones) used to release most of their material on countless strings of EPs, where some of their brightest material can be found. In this mixtape, we've picked one song from some of the finest mini-albums of this blissful soundsphere, ranging from eternal classics such as Love's Easy Tears, the 1986 EP from Cocteau Twins, Curve stellar first EP, the 1991's Blindfold, as well as the laid-back psychedelica of Mesmerise EP (Chapterhouse) and the oneiric electronica of 5 EP from Slowdive. Besides, there are also new material as tracks collected from the majestic Airiel's 2012 EP called Kid Games, Whirr's 2013 EP Around and Blush, the latest EP from the scottish fuzzy assemble called The Cherry Wave. Some deeply obscure material were included as usual, e.g. Have You Heard EP by Headtime (an extremly -and criminally- unknown act from the same label of Chapterhouse, Cherry Red), Playtime EP from Sunshot, besides the phillipino Moscow Olympics, featured by the beautiful piece of Dream Pop-meeting-Post Rock song called Still.

As usual, the full tracklist and the download link can be found right below. Let's raise our gazes and ride the noisewaves into the spirals of inifity! ;)

tracklist 




get it!

Amusement

Amusement is probably the most obscure outfit featured here in this page until this moment. Little information I've foudn about it, only that it was an one-man project headed by irish James Eadie who released only one album, the 1996 And After Optmism, featuring plain blue cover with the name "Amusement" written in golden letters at the left top corner of it. This extremly modest description and package, however, isn't consisting at all with the greatness of its sonic quality. This work is an explosive mix of Shoegaze with Noise Rock and lo-fi which brings memories of Bailter Space, Sonic Youth, Drop Nineteens, Swirlies, Pavement, etc. All 14 tracks are deliciously fuzzy, oozy and swirly as f*ck, and I'm sure you'll all wonder how did a single person did such amazing music by himself and still not get a single credit for it? I'm aware the musical (and life as a whole) scenario isn't fair at all, but this case of under-appreciation and obscurity is almost criminal. So, let's change this dark scenario by plugging the headphones and admiring this noisy bliss the way it deserves, I'm sure you'll all enjoy it with a smile over your eardrums (sic). ;)

ps: A big thanks to William Kidd for showing me this stellar rarity. ;)

get it!

Mixtape #20 - How To Seek Love

Hello, my dear friends!

July, 23 was loverswhoareseekers first anniversary, and since then I've been preparing a special edition mixtape to celebrate it. I know, I know, there's been two weeks since then and I'm late in a Kevin Shields-style, but better late than never, as the old people usually say (the new MBV album is a great example of this). Ok, let's talk about the mixtape itself. It's a double-edition one, consisting of 30 songs instead of the traditional 13-16 compilation we usually do. However, we didn't escape the tradition of mixing classic stuff (represented by Slowdive, Swallow, Moose, Secret Shine) with forgotten but precious rarities (as the 4AD's Insides, the japanese "madchesters" of Flipper's Guitar, the grungy Nudeswirl, the psychedelic fuzzy stoners of Sun Dial and the woozy The Lassie Foundation), brazilian goods (as the classic Low Dream, who are reuniting to some live concerts, beside the amazing newcomers of The Sorry Shop). Talking about newcomers, they are exactly the focus here. Why? Just take a look around (figuretively, of course), and you'll notice tons of great artists appearing every day. Although the magic of the late '80-early '90 may never be recovered in its truest sense, they honour those times with great quality and some innovation that gives a fresh bright to its already incandescent sound. I selected Screen Vinyl Image, Wild Nothing, Airling, Fleeting Joys, No Joy, Yuck, Sounds Of Sputnik, among many others, to represent this front.

I know that, by now, you all must be drooling to give it a listen. The link for the collection can be found right below, as well as the full tracklist of the artists and songs featured in this cherished collection we prepared. That's it, folks. I hope you enjoy it, and never forget to seek love and gaze at your shoes! ;)

ps: A great thanks goes to Louise Trehy, for gently conceding me the song Heavenly, from the time she was still with Swallow. :)

get it! - full tracklist

get it! - mixtape

A.R. Kane

I'm sure many of you, who read this blog often or are just passing by it, have heard of A.R. Kane (ARK). If not, you really should, and that's why I'm writing about them right now. ARK consists of the duo Alex Ayuli and Rudy Tambala (which explains the A.R. in the project name) who started making music together at 1986, initially releasing a couple of 12" When You're Sad (by One Little Indian) and Lollita (by our beloved 4AD). It didn't take too long for them to sign up with Rough Trade and writing more and more material that would be published in a string of singles and two seminal full-lengths: 1988's 69 and the 1989's 'i', and then comes a story we all know: they didn't achieve mainstream attention or acclamation but their works received positive reviews and comments by the press. But tell me how they wouldn't, if these albums are two incandescent gems that whose lyrics were pure poetry (usually making use of ocean/water, oneiric and sexual imagery) and had great impact not only in the Shoegaze-Dream Pop axes but in the Trip Hop, Dub, Acid House as well? They even had an EP containing remixes from nobody else than the almighty Robin Guthrie (besides the band themselves). However, the luck have never smiled to them, as Rough Trade bankrupted in 1991 and they were labeless, staying on a hiatus during the early '90, just when many bands they inspired (Slowdive, Seefeel, The Veldt, to name just a few), besides the Shoegaze scene itself with whom they could be easily linked, were in their pinnacle. After this, they released their final work, New Clear Child, in 1994, but this one wasn't well received by press and public, as the band seems to have run out of creative ideas and people lost their interest in Shoegaze. After the ARK adventures, Mr. Tambala went to work on Ambient and Dub music whereas Mr. Ayuli moved to USA, where he still lives, working as a museum curator and making some music under the name Alex!.


ARK is the classic case of a seminal group that contributed a lot to many artists but never gained the deserved recognizement, being (re)discovered only many and many years after that, besides receiving a "cult" aura and status. That's why you should check the content of the links right below. I'm sure you will all agree with the quote from music critical Jason Ankeny, who once said "arguably the most criminally under-recognized band of their era" refering to ARK.

Single Collections (2012):

get it!

New Clear Child (1994):

 

get it!

 

'i' (1989):

 

  

get it!

69 (1988):

 

get it!

Levitation

Levitation is one of the most forgotten and underappreciated british bands of the early '90. It was funded by the hands of Terry Bickers. Yes, the eccentric guitarist of House Of Love, so, you have an idea that they weren't exactly novices and they knew what they were doing with this project. Levitation's sonic world can be identified with the rising and flaming Scene That Celebrates Itself during 1990-1991 due to the use of (very heavy) fuzz-fueled guitars, however, Levitation ventured into psychedelic spheres much more often and deeply than most of the shoe lovers used to do. The Telescopes 1992 album can be used as a frame of reference for their most laid back and lysegic moments, but it should be mentioned that Levitation's music was quite more complex than Stephen Telescopes' assemble.  However, it seemed Mr. Bickers wasn't quite happy with the musical direction the band was taking as the years passed by and called a quit in June 1993. As Steve Ludwin replaced him, they completed the writing and recording of this new material which saw the light of the world in 1994, however the band didn't last much longer and sadly split up still in that year. It seems there are still plenty of unreleased material from the late phase of the band, even some with Terry Bickers still on the lead of them, but there seems to be no plan of releasing it until further notice... 

For those interested in the heavier, muddier and somewhat more esoteric side of the oldschool Shoegaze, all their material are  worthy of great appreciation and love. Right below, I'm sharing Levatiation's two full-lengths, Need For Not (1992) and Meanwhile Gardens (1994) along the Coterie (1991) album which compiles their early singles. As usual, I hope you enjoy them and spread the love as deserved!

 













get it!

























 get it!

get it!

Mellonta Tauta

Mellonta Tauta, named after a poem by Edgar Allan Poe, consists of a Shoegaze/Dream Pop band from our "hermana" Argentina, who were active during the early to mid '90, and sadly remains little known even for the hungriest noise fans. They released nothing but a full-length at 1994, Sun Fell, released by the defunct label Hyperium. After that, they released a couple EP, Fishes and Ocean, in the following year, and contributed to one song in an argentinian tribute to The Cure, fading into oblivion after that...

About their art itself, it could very easily fit in the 4AD catalogue of those years, as all the sonic elements required for that are accomplished with honour: buried and sweet female vocals,  melted guitars, ethereal atmospheres, everything carefully packed with a sort of nostalgic bucolism. Besides, they explore a Folk vibe in some songs, instrumental ones, giving them a Ethereal/Darkwave  flavour that could only be found in Love Spirals Downwards and Lycia at those times. By now, I guess it's not hard to realize their musical inspiration owe a lot to Liz Fraser and Robin Guthrie, as well as Lush, Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, Throwing Muses and all those oneiric noisy makers that branded those times and we still regard with a lot joy and admiration. 

However, Mellonta Tauta never had a small fraction of their recognition and very few know about their existence even now, in the worldwideweb era. To be sincere, I only knew about them by my blog partner, Paloma, that showed me these guys and put their most famous song in Mixtape #2, Pull The Charriot, before that, not a single information about them reached me. That's why I have to do my contribution and share their beautiful work to the world, which can be found at the bandcamp's links right below.

//update: Mellonta Tauta reunited after almost 20 years of silence, pleasing us with a brand new album, Rainbow Melodies. All the ingredients that made these argentinians so beloved by us are still there: the ethereal vocals, dreamlike melodies, some bucolism and lush beauty in shape of soundscapes. I'm sure each one of you have a smile in your faces now when reading this news and it will grow even wider when you actually listen to it. Enjoy!









bandcamp

bandcamp

bandcamp






bandcamp

Mixtape #19 - The Stars That Hang Above Us

After two mixtapeless months (the last one was posted April 30th, exactly two months ago!), I apologize for that, yaddayadda. You all know I'm sorry and didn't forget our traditon, I just wasn't able to keep it running as I wished. Well, apologies accepted, let's talk about the 19th edition of loverswhoareseekers mixtape. This time, there's no specific theme for that but the love of fuzz, feedback and sugared dreams feeding our minds with pure sonic bliss. As usual, I tried to make a mix between classic and recent pieces, ranging from famous to obscure acts, and from Shoegaze in its most "purist" sense to Dream Pop, Ambient, Post-Rock, or anything Alternative-related. While the classic side is starred by Catherine Wheel, Swervedriver, Medicine, the newcomers are represented by the forces of jesu, DIIV, Wild Nothing. Besides, we also feature a song from some cult guys like the kiwi Bailter Space, with the song I.C.Y., besides the japanese gazers of Sugar Plant. To the end, there's an unexpected participant in this edition: Here Come The Warm Jets, from the early work of Brian Eno solo. Although this material was written over 40 years ago, you'll see why it's featured in a Shoegaze-based mixtape. He was antecipating what we'd all know and appreciate many years later, as a truly avantgarde artist he is.

Ok, I talked too much already. Just click in the link below and enjoy the trip! ;)

tracklist:


Catherine Wheel - Black Metallic
Wild Nothing - Drifter
Bailter Space - I.C.Y.
jesu - The Stars That Hang Above Us
Curve - Hung Up
DIIV - Wait
The Bilinda Butchers - Half Open
Brian Eno - Here Come The Warm Jets
Swervedriver - Up From The Sea
Sugar Plant - Brazil
Seefeel - Polyfusion
Medicine - A Short Happy Life



get it!

Submarine

London-based Submarine (not to be confused with the yellow one from Liverpool) was a short-lived band dedicated to a Shoegaze-fueled Alternative Rock, being active from 1989 to 1995. They shared stage with Moose, Radiohead (in its earliest days), Tool and many other alternative legends during those years, in addition of the magic hands of The Flaming Lips' Kevin Cleversley producing the 1994 self-titled debut album. As I said before, Submarine sonic world melts the qualities of the likes of Mercury Rev, The Boo Radleys, The Telescopes (st phase) and, of course, The Flaming Lips in their best shape (1990-1995) with the fuzzy cosmos of Shoegaze, creating delirant guitar-driven songs that will make a question mark pop up in your head, asking why didn't you hear anything about them before and why they faded into total obscurity despite such great works accomplished?

The fate of Submarine? No, it didn't sink, but resurfaced a little after its demise under the name of Jetboy DC, which is still sporadically active. However, their legacy is here for us to taste and enjoy, as you can do with the link right below for the Kiss Me Till Your Ears Burn Off, a compilation of early singles plus a song extracted from a John Peel session circa 1993 and a cover of Tugboat, which was also astonishingly covered by Galaxie 500. 

That's the message, boys. Enjoy it! ;)

get it!

Colfax Abbey

Colfax Abbey (CA) is one of those great Shoegaze bands whose name was little spoken about and was melancholically forgotten by the tides of time. They come from Minneapolis, MN, USA, and started its activity somewhere in the first years of the '90, being one of the few, but brilliant, groups dedicated to flaming waves of sonic blast back then together with Half-String, lovesliescrushing, Alison's Halo, Swirlies, as well as the later Bowery Electric and Bethany Curve. 

They released two records, the Drop full-length and Penetrate EP, both at 1996. The first one received a little help from Keith Cleversey, the guy behing some of the nicest records of the early '90 such as Transmission From Satellite Heart (Flaming Lips), the single Medicine from the debut album of Spiritualized, as well as You'd Prefer An Astronaut (Hum), relying on heavily atmospheric, stellar tapestries much like Slowdive's Just For A Day with a more Drone-ish vein. It feels like gazing the elements and particles of Universe through blurry, multi-textured filters. On the other hand, the EP is more focused on Electronic and Ambient, reminding me a bit of, surprise surprise, Slowdive in its 5 EP, although the connection between both works are easily noticed, feeling much like an evolution from the earlier material. 

Finally, you can get a taste of CA's great work right below. For those into the more Ambient, cosmic side of the beautiful noise, there's no way you can go wrong with it. Just close your eyes, dream on and enjoy!

get it!

get it!

Deardarkhead

Deardarkhead was born circa 1988 at New Jersey, USA, one of the few band dedicated to the feedback worshipping at the ocidental side of the Atlantic back then. 

Having its name was taken by an irish poem of the 19th century, they released a stream of EPs during 1991 to 1993, Spiral Down And Vibrate, Melt Away Too Soon and Ultraviolet, besides 1998's Unlock The Valves of Feeling, featuring a kinda fuzzy-twee sound that sometimes makes Pale Saints and Adorable come to our dissolved minds, although bands like The Pastels, Beat Happening and even Post Punk acts such as Lowlife, The Chameleons and Echo and the Bunnymen are summoned in some melodies. 

Well, it's not hard to figure out they didn't accomplish any success back then and still largely unknown even by the most curious gazers, along many bands we've been featuring in this space lately. They did one of the nicest "heavy" Shoegaze of that golden era and still sound modern evey by today's standards. If you're not convinced yet, just check both links above. One is for Oceanside 1991-1993, which compiles all songs for the earlier 3 EPs, and the other is for Unlock The Valves of Feeling, their first and only full-length till this moment. Fortunately, they're back on the field and eager to play around the world and, who knows, craft new material. This will surely crack a silly smile in many gazers orphans around the world, as well as their previous work did! 

get it!









get it!

Bleach

Hello, everyone. It's been quite some time since the last post. Unfortunately, things were harsh around here lately, and I apologize for such delay. Apologies aside, let's talk about today's post, The UK band called Bleach (not to be confused with japaned Bleach - akaBleach03 - and USA Christian Hardcore Bleach). 

Bleach's origin is Ipswich, England, circa 1989. By the geographical location and year, you must have figured out what the band is all about. Yeah, fuzzy whirls of melted sonic loops. Although Bleach never received a tenth of attention that their contemporaries (Ride, Slowdive, Pale Saints and you know the rest of the list), they made an awesome stream of EPs and albums from 1990 to 1993  that remains obscure and unveiled until now, over 20 years after their releases and with the ever-ascending information technologies, social networks and stuff. 

Sadly, I only came across these guys a few months ago, after doing some research about the "Z-side" of Shoegaze (the more I dig, the more I find underrated and criminally forgotten noisy gems), and I'm blaming myself since then for taking so long to discover these guys. As I don't want to see anyone repeating my mistake, I'm dropping their work for download right below in this humble n' cozy virtual space. I hope you enjoy it too! ;)

1993  - Fast







get it!





1992 - Hard







get it!





1992 - Killing Time 







get it!





1990 - Eclipse EP (first 4 songs) + 1991 - Snag EP (last 3 songs):





get it!

Mixtape #18 - Gazin' the Earth

Hello, fellas!

Yeah, I took a little longer than I expected, but here we are with the 18th mixtape. This is a "special edition" mixtape, where I compiled 40 songs from Shoegaze-and-related bands from many different places of our beloved planet. Therefore, it's divided in 4 parts: Asia, Europe, Latino America and US/Canada/Australia/New Zealand, each region represented by 10 songs. This way, we can appreciate not only the beautiful noises that are crafted worldwide, but that we're not alone in our love for feedback, fuzz and oneiric melodies. Therefore, there are a few links right below, if you want to download each segment separatedly or in a bundle, as well as the tracklist.

I hope you enjoy it! ;)

Asia: 

Cruyff In The Bedroom - Ukiyogunjou (Japan)
Jellybelly - Illusion Dream (Indonesia)
Vidulgi OoyoO -  Elephant (South Korea)
Luminous Orange - Turbo R (Japan)
Purple Bloom - Lucid Dream (Japan)
Astreal - Death & Glitter (Singapore)
Candyaudioline - An Empty You (Phillipinas)
Stellarium - Fader (Singapore)
My Violaine Morning - 99 Miles (Indonesia)
Swirling Light - Neon (Thailand)

 get it!


USA/Canada/Australia/NZ:


Bailter Space - Projects (New Zealand)
dici - Stars Above (Canada)

Medicine - Candy Candy (USA)
Tamaryn - Ashore (New Zealand + USA)
deardarkhead - Surf's Up (USA)
Bowery Electric - Deep Sky Objects (USA)
Swirl - Tears (Australia)
Young  Galaxy - Blown Mind (Canada)

Highspire - Glass In My Mouth (USA)

Destroyalldreamers - Swirling Colours Sink (Canada)

get it!

Europe:

93MillionMilesFromTheSun - Waiting There (UK)
The Ecstasy of St. Theresa - Honeyrain (Czech Rep.)
The Raveonettes - Dirty Eyes (Sex Don't Tell) (Denmark)
pinkshinyultrablast - Blaster (Russia)
The Radio Dept. - Ewan (Sweden)
Catherine Wheel - Ursa Major Station (UK)
Singapore Sling - Godman (Iceland)
Be Forest - Your Specters (Italy)
Pia Fraus - Birds Still Swing (Estonia)
Malory - Spring (Germany)

 get it!

Latino America: 

Bosques - Amniosis (Argentina)
Low Dream - Treasure (Brazil)
Lorelle Meets The Obsolete - The In Between (Mexico)

Collasonic - Sur (Bolivia)
Espira - Bajo Tus Sueños (Peru)
Mi Andromeda - Lisergico III (Chile)
Medialunas - Memorabilia (Brazil)

Un.Real - Electroplex (Puerto Rico)
The Exils - Un Ojo Al Gato (Mexico)
Ultravelvet - Portales De Cromo (Peru)

get it!

...or, if you want every segment in a bundle: get it here!

Half String

Hello, gazers and travelers! 

The post of today is about Half String (HS). Similarly to most of the bands I've been featuring on this virtual space lately, this one is also an underrated piece from first (or second)-generation Shoegaze whose name was forgotten by the tides of time, and a scene that was sadly fading away back to those days. HS was formed in Arizona at 1991 by the hands of Tim Patterson, Brandon Capps and Kimber Lanning, attracting some attention due to Beautiful Noise Festival, whose first edition happened almost 20 years ago (April 30th, 1993) and the second took place at early 1995, revealing some über alternative future icons such as Alison's Halo, lovesliescrushing and Soul Whirling Somewhere. 

HS's music can be described as a "Shoegaze-y", owing more to Pale Saints delicate proto-Shoegaze (or a 'simplified', less drowsing version of Ride) with tiny drops of Slowcore/Sadcore. Each song of their only full-length, A Fascination With Heights (1996), carries an early-autumnal feeling with them, which gives quite refreshing flavours and tones to the already bashed out Shoegaze typical formulae by that time. 

As usual, they parted ways at 1997 and Half String's name was forgotten by almost everyone, even by the most diehard gazers. Very sad and unfair, to say the least. That's why I drop an 'A Fascination With Heights" link right below, to see if it re-ignites the oldschool gazer's memories, or if HS reaches a better recognition standard among newcoming people who likes staring blankly at their shoes (like me). 

get it!

Teenage Filmstars

Teenage Filmstars (TF) is one of the most curious (and still largley unknown) Shoegaze acts from the 1st generation. Its birth happened not during the mid-late '80, as most bands of the genre, but in 1979 (!), by the hands of Edward Ball and his old school friends, releasing a stream of weird Pop Rock songs in a independent way (one of these songs was mistook for a tribute to John Lennon right after his death). Despite all the buzz, Ed Ball changed his band's name to The Times, releasing only a single album at 1985. 

However, Ed Ball took the world by surprise when he signed to Creation Records and came back with TF in 1992 and released some of the craziest Shoegaze albums even by current standards. Star (1992), aka Lift Off Mit Der Teenage Filmstars, features a Shoegaze/Noise Pop verve that doesn't deny the influences of Loveless (maybe this is the first record heavily inspired by Loveless ever made) but the taste for experimentalism from Mr. Ball went to higher levels than Shield's, if that's possible! Motorcycle zooms, twitter of birds, tape loops, strange whirring strings, even weirder piano lines, early Industrial-Electronic music influences and almost unlistanable drum patterns covered by woozy, blurred, blown-out and swirling guitar lines are used throughout the album, making Loveless sounds almost "orthodox" comparing to the fuzzy sonic carnival of Star.
The following record, Rocket Charm, is even crazier: every song was put backwords (except the drumming) with little regard to stereo placement and instrumentation levels. While the first half of the album is pure Shoegaze/Noise madness, the second half consists of moody and obscure Dark Ambient/Trip Hop/early Industrial/Ethnical/World Music (!!) pieces made with such quality that one wouldn't tell it's the same band of the beginning of the record!
The last effort, 1997's Buy Our Record Support Our Sickness, shifted the shoegazer's focus to a '60-'70 Avant-garde, psychedelic approach (everything recorded backwards too, of course!). 

Therefore, it's not a coincidence that Ball was regarded by Kevin Shields as "A sensitive soul from another planet. A modernist musical alchemist". He sure was. Just take a look at his other works here and you can have a glimpse of Ball's almost unreachable creative's power, although it looks like he's not making music anymore, just playing occasional shows under The Times name. And that's why his name should never be forgotten and his work should be in everyone's ear. Star and Rocket Charm are offered right below for downloading, and as soon as I get my hands in "Buy Our Record...", you'll have it in this same page too. 

enjoy!














enjoy!

Silvania

Silvania is an extinct project that was born by the hands of the peruvian duo Mario and Coco in the very early '90, both living at Spain since 1988. During all its existence, they were dedicated to blend the celestial vibe of Dream Pop with the finest Electronic and Ambient touches, giving their songs an ethereal, mesmerizing beauty which can bring Cocteau Twins, Dif Juz, Seefeel, Mellonta Tauta and A. R. Kane right up to our minds when listening to it. Yeah, they could fit very easily in the 4AD catalogue back then, but unfortunately they didn't reach any reasonable stage of recognizement and sucess during its existence, only a very reduced cult following during the 2000's era and so forth. 

Since 2000, both members ended Silvania activies and started a New Wave/Electropop project called Ciëlo which was sadly haulted at 2008 due to the murder of Coco at Madrid. He seemed to be very dear to the local scene and everyone who knew him due to his total dedication to the sublime art of crafting music by the own sake of the art. However, his legacy is around there, deserveful of being admired, tasted and enjoyed at the same stellar level of Mario & Coco's creativity. All of Silvania's full-lenghts, besides the remix album Delay Tambor (1996) and the Solineide 1991-1993 compilation, released at 2003, can be found right below. Finally, as I always say, enjoy it!

enjoy!









enjoy!








enjoy!









enjoy!










enjoy!

Mixtape #17 - Noise stars collide

One and half a month after the last mixtape (yeah, sorry for taking soooo long), here we go with another compilation. The 17th edition of loverswhoareseekers compilation contains the best of sugar-red noisy stars crashing into the sky and bathing us in its cosmic lightrays of pure bliss and delirium. 

Enjoy it!

enjoy!

Orange

Orange is not arguably the most obscure Shoegaze/Dream Pop I've came across in my (almost) 26 years of existence. The little information I've found tells they're british and released only one self-titled full length at 1994, besides a cassette at 1993 and two singles at 1990 and also at 1993. Their soundscapes do not hide the influences of the Dream Pop masters like Cocteau Twins, Cranes, Lush, Swallow and similars, such that Orange could fit more than perfectly in the 4AD catalogue back then. 

Unfortunately, times were cruel for the lovegazers in those years, probably the reason why they didn't survive much longer. But, most important than all, they recorded an amazing compilation of hazy and delirious pieces that really shouldn't be forgotten, as it must behappening since its release. Right below, you can taste Orange's full length added with assorted tracks from the singles, the cassette and a 4AD cover tribute, where they played an amazing version of Pixies' Gigantic. I hope you enjoy it as deserved! ;)

enjoy!