Shoegaze

Sneer · 09-02-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duga

^

Not Here Not Now is also a great album. I've been a Malory fan for a while now. I'd say they definitely hit on an M83 vibe. Not surprising considering they are both French...I've found shoegaze to be very regional. The French like to add a lot of electronica, the English like a very twangy Britpop sound, and American shoegaze is usually very beefy and dense.

Are you taking about the original scene, or 'nu-gaze'?

Howard the Duck · 09-02-2011, 11:50 PM

Alcest's debut is pretty good for that kinda thing

VEGANGELICA · 09-27-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zer0

I know I've posted a bit about them lately but Malory are just amazing. A beautiful and seductive mixture of shoegaze, dream-pop and ambient electronica. The two albums I have, Outerbeats and The Third Face, are both incredible.

I learned about Malory only today when I googled "German shoegaze" after liking one song by the band Get Well Soon and hoping to find a similar band.

I listened through the beginnings of around fifteen of Malory's songs online and like the following the best because of its beat and the pervasive wash of sound they create. Their other songs have less punch, I feel, and so don't appeal to me as much as this one:

Malory - "Want You"

Zer0 · 09-27-2011, 05:52 PM

Yeah the song 'Want You' has a nice interesting beat, but they have quite a few good songs that are well worth listening. To really appreciate them however you really have to listen to an entire album from start to finish, they're definitely more of an album band in my perspective. As I mentioned earlier Outerbeats and The Third Face (which the song 'Want You' appears on) are both incredible albums and well worth investigating, Outerbeats has a more ambient shoegaze feel to it while The Third Beat leans more towards dream pop. Have yet to listen to their debut Not Here - Not Now and their last album Pearl Diver but I will get around to them soon.

YorkeDaddy · 09-27-2011, 07:07 PM

Can someone explain shoegaze to me?

I mean, I really enjoy Loveless and stuff simply because it's masterful songwriting, but I just don't see the draw towards most of the other shoegaze bands that you all talk about.

duga · 09-27-2011, 08:48 PM

What attracts me to it is how you have to search for the melodies. At first listen, it just sounds like noisy guitar with ass loads of fx. The more you listen and pay attention to it, the intricate melodies start to come out. Basically, that's why Loveless is a good starting point. The melodies are all fairly obvious despite the crazy amount of effects they use. I dunno...a good shoegaze band can make a really awesome atmosphere that you can just get lost in.

Sneer · 09-27-2011, 08:57 PM

It's all about the layered tones and textures, and how they interweave to create this amorphous wall of sound that has the capacity to completely engulf the listener. For me, Shoegaze expresses abstract moods and feelings better than any other musical genre. Some do it a lot better than others, but when done right, it's a massively rewarding listening experience.

TockTockTock · 09-27-2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

It's all about the layered tones and textures, and how they interweave to create this amorphous wall of sound that has the capacity to completely engulf the listener. For me, Shoegaze expresses abstract moods and feelings better than any other musical genre. Some do it a lot better than others, but when done right, it's a massively rewarding listening experience.

Alright... I'm up for it. Would you mind sharing a few shoegaze bands and albums that exhibit this?

(I'm pretty much in the same boat that YorkeDaddy is in).

duga · 09-27-2011, 09:24 PM

I know you are asking Stu, but this being my favorite genre I have to throw you a few suggestions.

Bethany Curve - You Brought Us Here
Talking about layers...this album has it in spades.

Ringo Deathstarr - Colour Trip
These guys just released their debut this year, and it is one of the better records of the year. Fuzzy, poppy, and a lot of fun...highly recommended.

Medicine - Shot Forth Self Living

Pia Fraus - After Summer
I call this "twee shoegaze". Very catchy.

A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Scribble Mural Comic Journal
Definitely rewarding with repeated listens. Probably the pinnacle in what I was saying about a buried melody that you have to search for.

That should get you started...

Sneer · 09-27-2011, 09:33 PM

Medicine - Short Forth Self Living
Ride - Nowhere
Chapterhouse - Whirlpool
Bowery Electric - Beat
Slowdive - Souvlaki

I'd say these 5 albums, not including the holy cow that is Loveless, exhibit the wall of sound characteristic the most. Others will of course disagree with me on this, but give them all a shot and I think you'll be impressed, they're all classics.

There are other great bands within the genre, Ecstasy of St Theresa, LSD and the Search for God (their one EP is stunning), Lush, Curve, Nightblooms, Catherine Wheel, Moose, Swirlies, Lilys, Pale Saints, Bethany Curve etc... all would be worth your time.

09-27-2011, 05:52 PM	#304 (permalink)
Zer0 ∞ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 3,792	Yeah the song 'Want You' has a nice interesting beat, but they have quite a few good songs that are well worth listening. To really appreciate them however you really have to listen to an entire album from start to finish, they're definitely more of an album band in my perspective. As I mentioned earlier Outerbeats and The Third Face (which the song 'Want You' appears on) are both incredible albums and well worth investigating, Outerbeats has a more ambient shoegaze feel to it while The Third Beat leans more towards dream pop. Have yet to listen to their debut Not Here - Not Now and their last album Pearl Diver but I will get around to them soon. __________________ Last FM \| RYM \| The Final Sound

09-27-2011, 08:48 PM	#306 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	What attracts me to it is how you have to search for the melodies. At first listen, it just sounds like noisy guitar with ass loads of fx. The more you listen and pay attention to it, the intricate melodies start to come out. Basically, that's why Loveless is a good starting point. The melodies are all fairly obvious despite the crazy amount of effects they use. I dunno...a good shoegaze band can make a really awesome atmosphere that you can just get lost in. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

09-27-2011, 08:57 PM	#307 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	It's all about the layered tones and textures, and how they interweave to create this amorphous wall of sound that has the capacity to completely engulf the listener. For me, Shoegaze expresses abstract moods and feelings better than any other musical genre. Some do it a lot better than others, but when done right, it's a massively rewarding listening experience. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

09-27-2011, 09:24 PM	#309 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	I know you are asking Stu, but this being my favorite genre I have to throw you a few suggestions. Bethany Curve - You Brought Us Here Talking about layers...this album has it in spades. Ringo Deathstarr - Colour Trip These guys just released their debut this year, and it is one of the better records of the year. Fuzzy, poppy, and a lot of fun...highly recommended. Medicine - Shot Forth Self Living Pia Fraus - After Summer I call this "twee shoegaze". Very catchy. A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Scribble Mural Comic Journal Definitely rewarding with repeated listens. Probably the pinnacle in what I was saying about a buried melody that you have to search for. That should get you started... __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

09-27-2011, 09:33 PM	#310 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	Medicine - Short Forth Self Living Ride - Nowhere Chapterhouse - Whirlpool Bowery Electric - Beat Slowdive - Souvlaki I'd say these 5 albums, not including the holy cow that is Loveless, exhibit the wall of sound characteristic the most. Others will of course disagree with me on this, but give them all a shot and I think you'll be impressed, they're all classics. There are other great bands within the genre, Ecstasy of St Theresa, LSD and the Search for God (their one EP is stunning), Lush, Curve, Nightblooms, Catherine Wheel, Moose, Swirlies, Lilys, Pale Saints, Bethany Curve etc... all would be worth your time. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

09-27-2011, 07:07 PM	#305 (permalink)
YorkeDaddy silky smooth Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pangaea Posts: 4,079	Can someone explain shoegaze to me? I mean, I really enjoy Loveless and stuff simply because it's masterful songwriting, but I just don't see the draw towards most of the other shoegaze bands that you all talk about.