Vaadat Charigim - The World is Well Lost (Burger, 2013 - CS)

Maybe its too soon for this here at The Nomadic Subject as we're really just getting into the thick of winter but I didn't want to forget this one. Vaadat Charigim is a great new shoegaze band with a cassette out on Burger Records (the vinyl was just issued somewhere as well). Its a classic shimmering dream pop sound (heavy on the Ride, light on the MbV), with that hopeful vibe that usually hits me in early spring. This combined with a bit of dark new wave a la 1985 The Chameleons / Echo gives them that 'cruising with the top down' feeling.

So, you're wondering what distinguishes them from the million plus shoegaze revival bands, right? Well, its the fact that these guys are Israeli, and the low baritoned vocalist does not try to hide the accent. Its thick and lovely. If you're not familiar, it sounds like a French accent with Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Yiddish. As far as the voice as instrument, this one wins. Perfect package here. Great music when you need a little pick me up.

Ulrich Schnauss and Jonas Munk - S/T (Pedigree Cuts, 2010)

Since 2001, this enigmatic German producer has been keeping me interested in progressive Shoegaze concepts. Many people are emulating these 90's ideals that we all love but he's one of the few that herald the banner properly. Several records into his discography, there is this from last year; a collaboration that encompasses the entire Shoegaze aesthetic but in a minimal fashion. Alongside Danish Dream Pop producer extraordinaire, Jonas Munk (of Manual), he might have made his boldest and most mature statement yet. This is beautiful music for any occasion.

The guitars on the record are mainly the Fender based including Jonas’s slim line Telecaster and his moded Jazzmaster. Guitars when amped where recorded through a Fender Twin. Ulrich’s synth palette include, for the 70’s influenced tracks, the CP80 and the Korg PS3200 and for the 80’s and 90’s inspired tracks he chose the polyphonic Oberheim OB8 and Oberheim OBX for the basis of the tracks.

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Vestibule - Guaranteed to Cure What Ails Ya (Mixtape, 2011)

Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride in 1985.

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Craft Spells - Idle Labor (Captured Tracks, 2011)

"Despite of all our conflict
I still sit and adore you
A tragedy for the ages
Now at least I can say this

Even though our love has died
You're still mine
You're still mine"

These intense lines open "Idle Labor", Captured Tracks latest release and full-length debut from Stockton, CA native Justin Paul Vallesteros. What was initially a bedroom project has evolved into a full and permanent band, one that is a contender in the current climate of 80's revivalism.

Most people just write off this sort of music but I imagine most of these people didn't grow up obsessing over The Cure either. I feel its relevant when done properly, and Craft Spells are a fine example. With the dream pop influences of Factory Records band, The Wake, some early MBV and a whole lot of Head on the Door, CS really convey the classic 80's new romantic sentiment. I'm reminded of hazy and blurred visuals of early MTV and the immense scarring of our own teenage love (or so we thought).

Vallesteros writes the best lyrics of this resurgence as well. Brokenhearted yet hopeful, he'd make Robert Smith proud.

Remember kids, summer vacation is over before you know it. Make sure to spend a lot of time in a car with the windows down, don't worry about a thing and, most importantly, tell that girl you like her, even if you feel she's out of your league. You never know what might happen.

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Slowdive - Souvlaki (Creation, 1993)

Now that Kevin Shields has seen god-like revival status and most music fans are tossing the term "shoegaze" around for any old indie rock band that uses reverb or delay, let's talk about the band that slipped through the cracks.

In May 1993, Reading, UK's own teenage band, Slowdive released their sophomore effort Souvlaki just a few months after Suede dropped their debut and the britpop movement was born. Their sound was distinguished from contemporaries in that they were sweetly and delicately melodic and densely layered. Slowdive didn't rely on any sense of noise. Sure, there was feedback but always controlled and focused. Sometimes the feeling of 60's pop folk even comes to mind. The dual vocals of Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell remain an eternally mesmerizing pair. With brilliant guitar work from Christian Savill, solid bass from Nick Chaplin and immensely tasteful yet powerful drumming from Ian McCutcheon and Simon Scott and the production of one Brian Eno, Slowdive crafted the cornerstone of the shoegaze / dream pop movement.

Rest easy, those of you who don't like your musicians to come across too seriously. Slowdive weren't pretentious. According to interviews with the band, the album was titled after an explicit skit on the first album by telephone pranksters The Jerky Boys, containing the line: "My wife loves that Greek shit. She'll suck your cock like souvlaki."

This is a must have. Falls somewhere in my top ten albums...ever.


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