Search - Swallow :: Blow

Outstanding Unknown Gem from the Golden Age of Shoegaze

Gabriel V. Delsaz | Miami, FL USA | 08/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"God I love this CD. It brings back memories of the golden age of shoegazer in the very early 90's. Back then I was listening to Medicine, My Bloody Valentine, The Drop Nineteens, Slowdive, et al and remember feeling priviledged to bear witness to such a beautiful and creative movement. This is an unknown album which is criminal because it is so good. There are a number of outstanding songs on the CD and no bad ones. Although it is not quite as good as My Bloody Valentine or Medicine, it is a notch below and well worth investing in if you have even the slightest interest in that ramarkable period. I'd compare the style to an upbeat Chapterhouse, or a quiter Medicine. Its very different from bands like Slowdive or Ride in that it is almost dancey but not quite. Listen to it and enjoy it. This is a must buy."

A lost shoegaze classic from 4AD Records.

Joahua C. Hernandez | MN is my hometown | 09/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This group consists of Mike Mason and Louise Trehy and their sound can be compared to the Cocteau Twins (both band use a drum machine) and other 4AD artist such as His Name Is Alive, Lush, Mojave 3, and The Pale Saints with a little 90s shoegave flavor (Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine comes to mind). There are some real gems on this album, especially Taste Like Honey, Sugar Your Mind, Peekaboo, Oceans & Blue Skies, and Follow Me Down (my personal favorite). Another great track is Cherry Stars Collide which is feature in the 1996 film Joyride which stars Tobey Maguire, Amy Hathaway, Wilson Cruz, Benicio Del Toro and Adam West and is a pretty entertaining movie if not that great movie.



I first heard of this group on a 4AD compilation called Lilliput, back when 4AD use to make these great compilation CDs. The songs on it were Tastes Like Honey and Follow Me Down (Instrumental Version). One I heard the group I was hooked and bought the whole album on both CD and vinyl. This album does not get the credit it deserves and is a lost treasure in the 4AD Record catalog which is a shame. This moment I heard it I was hooked and often would walk through the desert late at night and listen to this record. It is great music for those who love dreamy vocals, guitars with feedback and reverb, and a techno fell to their music. It is still one of my favorite records for this genre."