10th Anniversary special

I really don't think of the album in terms of any legacy. I just enjoy it. :-)

(I only know about this cos Steady Mike told me it years ago.)

Actually, I was going to say that it might just be that I have a better stereo than when I first heard it. I think Psychocandy might best be heard on a crappy set up. Cranked up loud, I admit.

'Loveless,' on the other hand, is a miracle. It's one of the most special records I can think of, and I don't mean that in a personal sense, or in a strictly subjective sense, either. There's a whiff of magic about it, and I don't know what else I can say right now.

It is of its place and time. I suspect Mr. Shields would have had more up to date sounds to work with had he been recording it later, and the word was during 1994 that he had some mindfuck noise/jungle combinations going, for instance. Friend of mine actually *heard* it, the bastard! Oh well, we can but dream.

The first thing I thought when I put it on was that the production sounded dated. I know this point was argued earlier, and my main point would also be the recording and mixing of the drums. It’s not a major point, however, and I soon got over it. The second thing I thought was “Cocteau Twins”. The main similarity being breathy, floaty vocals coexisting with a heavily treated/distorted guitar track that seemed to be recorded on a different planet. But while the ‘Twins often go for ethereal and soothing, MBV are clearly trying to take the top of your head off with guitar noise. Part of me wanted this aspect of the band’s sound to go even further; when Big Black and Sonic Youth have corroded themselves into your memory, its hard to imagine a guitar sound that goes beyond that. I know that comparison is an unfair one is some ways, but all three bands are trying to sculpt new and abrasive sounds out of heavily distorted electric guitar. Perhaps MBV are more sophisticated, and not going for such an immediately brutal approach. I do know that I'm going to be listening to “Loveless” more than I am “Daydream Nation” or “Atomizer”, although those got their share of play ‘back in the day’…

I do think the vocals are kind of weak, but since they’re murmured and down in the mix, it really doesn’t matter so much. There’s one weird moment on one song, I forget what it’s called, where the girl and guy are singing along together, and it seemed like a corporate jingle from the 70’s (ok, so I was stoned at the time), but with the demented addition of all that noise…

My favorite tracks are “Loomer” and “Only Shallow”... I kind of wish there was more sampling/electronic elements, and less of a “rock band” approach, although from what I’ve read they were attempting that in some later recording sessions. I wonder if my impression of the record would be different if I had bought it when it came out; I do intend to keep listening to it; my review is after playing it five times over the weekend. The verdict is I like it, it does sound somewhat dated, it’s not the greatest thing ever recorded, but it was worth the ten bucks.