I’m listening to “Only Shallow”. I’ve loved this My Bloody Valentine record for so long I don’t even remember when I first heard it. It had to be sometime in 92, probably when I was working at what was then known as a “CD store” across the street from Alderwood Mall. The funny thing about this place — apart from the fact that it sold only CDs, packaged in cardboard longboxes — was that they specialized in “import” and “underground” music while also selling CDs from other genres like pop, country, and rock.
I only worked there for a summer, but I sure owe that place a debt. It’s where I first saw records by the Pixies, Fugazi, Blur, Primal Scream, and others. The other funny thing about it was that unlike other small record shops, it was very clean, neat, and well-lit, rather like a place that would now sell cellphones. And it was way out in the stupid suburbs, like I said, across from a very bland mall. Needless to say, it didn’t last too much longer at that location.
“Soon” : it goes on for exactly seven minutes and I can easily imagine people taking ecstasy for this song. There was probably a 12″ dance remix just for that purpose. Funny thing about this legendary album is that I don’t understand a single word of the lyrics. They may as well be Sigur Ros. And it doesn’t matter at all.
“Sometimes” : my favorite on this album, okay and I guess I can understand a few of the phrases. This song was famously included in the “Lost in Translation” soundtrack. It’s really beautiful, and could easily be performed by one person playing a superfuzzy guitar and singing into a microphone.
god this record is heavy. The early 90s was totally one of the very best eras for British music, without question.
The wonderful thing about wonderful things is that they tend to happen again.
Not only are MBV touring again next summer, they are also releasing a new album sometime next year as well. In addition, there is a bunch of new bands, mostly from the UK, that are reviving the early 90’s right now.
I just heard something about this on a podcast tonight! (sound opinions out of chicago public radio) how very odd, I wonder what it will sound like!
I was just talking about MBV a few days ago when I was writing out a list of CDs I’d sold or lost along the years, and wish I had back. A lot of it was sort of crappy girl music (some pop, some riot), and a ton of other indie bands… And then I remembered my space rock, my shoegaze, and my don’t-even-know-what-to-call-it.
I’m a huge Bark Psychosis fan. I still love Jessamine and Fuxa, and remember being exposed to a ton of Dearborn music, like Windy & Carl, Asha Vida… not even sure if any of this rings any bells. Helium — I remember them, and Tsunami. Yeah… so you have some great eclectic taste in music and I thought I’d say something.
“Soon” might be my fav off of Loveless, but it’s been awhile and I don’t remember like I used to. I remember loving “Only Shallow” too.
loveless
I feel so lucky that I got to see MBV in Detroit in 1992 (MBV, Buffalo Tom and Yo La Tengo). One of the best (and loudest) shows I had ever seen.
Wow, I’ve never heard of that scene referred to as “dearborn music”. Nuts. All of those bands played in Ypsi at one point or another.
Re: loveless
wow that is lucky. I’m trying to think if I have been “lucky” to see any bands. The only thing that comes to mind is seeing Nation of Ulysses in 1992, Jawbreaker the same year in someone’s basement, Green Day’s last show at Gilman in 1993, and maybe getting to see Pulp play at Bimbo’s in 1996.
Re: loveless
Dearborn had a lot of space rock 🙂 At the time, all of my friends worked at WHFR and put on radio shows and/or were in those bands, so I kinda of assume it was larger than it might have been. It seemed like my entire world at the time, and everyone I knew was very familiar with the scene. I might be exaggerating 🙂
In particular, I remember The Life According to Larry Show, and saw Larry around a lot. A lot of the people from bands I listened to as a kid wound up being friends of my boyfriends and such. It’s a very small Dearborn.