The thing about this album is most of the songs have lengthier intros than songs on JFAD/Souvlaki, with lots of textures and melodies and subdued vocals. Just to pick out a song - "Slomo', the use of the synth in the intro reminds of something Brian Eno would have had them do back in the day. Goes to show how a one-time involvement stuck with them.
My favorite part of this is it's definitely a Slowdive record. When you think about it, their sound is inimitable. They are literally the next band after MBV to be mentioned when you hear the term shoegaze. It's stood the test of time, over 20 years. And then after no one else has successfully mimicked the sound enough to steal their early 90s thunder, they come out with the same magic two decades later. And if anything the age difference has only deeply seasoned their music making skills. Slowdive is a hell of a band man. They aren't done leaving their mark.
Honestly I was a bit fearful when I first heard they were making a new album. I thought it would be Mojave 3 with a couple of shoegaze songs thrown in. This album is like a dream. The first time I heard the intro of 'Slomo' I was just floored. As in they managed to sound like themselves but in a way that sounded 'new' if you get my drift.
It takes until 2:25 of "Falling Ashes" for the vocal to enter. How many long songs out there have very extended intros that you get impatient for the vocals to enter, but with this it's like the 2:25 flow by like it's nothing. I love how the band takes its time for everything to come together & flow just right. 8 minutes, not too long or short, just right. "Stairway to Heaven" is about the only other 8 minute long song I can remember that had the same dynamic. But more on "Falling Ashes", it doesn't sound like anything they've done before. Reading some interviews Neil & Simon are are enthusiastic ab out this song and what 'avenues' it allows them to pursue beyond prototypical shoegaze. Super excited about their next project which I hope won't need a 22 year wait.
Fans of this should consider checking out Beach Fossils' new album, Somersault. It's one of my other favorites of the year and Rachel does guest vocals on the track "Tangerine."
Interesting how thin the sound is without Christian, you can clearly tell the missing guitar part. Also Simon on an electronic percussion pad is a bit weird!
Episode 111: Slowdive Here song exploder meets with Neil Halstead to talk about the construction of 'Sugar for the Pill'.
I've become obsessed with this band, went and downloaded the whole discography. Can't wait to see them in November.
The piano in Falling Ashes sounds like Radiohead and it's fucking awesome. This album keeps getting better for me.