Slowdive - s/t (2017): let's rejoice, shall we?

I don't know if the genre is 'intrinsically nostalgic,' or if it is, you might as well say that about a lot of music in general, whether it's rock or something else. In that there was often a perceived built in sense of retreat/reflection, that's one thing, but when you've got something like three generations of musicians now doing something with the form one way or another, is it nostalgia or extension? (Certainly, as with so much else, a lot of newer stuff simply recreates rather than fuses and inspires in new directions, but again, why hold them to particular account?)

I think the first Mojave 3 album is the best one. Very very gentle and the closing track is very Slowdive.

"Sugar For The Pill" sounds like it could have come from the Black Hearted Brother album, which I really liked

'Out of Tune' by Mojave 3 has ended up being one of my most loved albums. 'Excuses For Travellers' is also very good and the others have their moments.

The early Mojave 3 demos, that made up part of the first album were originally sent out under the Slowdive name. I was surprised to read that the first M3 album was released within 10 months of 'Pygmalion', it came together that quickly.

Would love a new Mojave 3 record one day, however I am looking forward to Slowdive too.

xp i agree, it has a very different feel from the others. it's like slowcore. very atmospheric, great lead guitar tones

The early Mojave 3 demos, that made up part of the first album were originally sent out under the Slowdive name. I was surprised to read that the first M3 album was released within 10 months of 'Pygmalion', it came together that quickly.

wow i didn't know this! will definitely have to dig into to m3

Sugar is something very special
And fuck the Coldplay comment because SD are 20 years older than them and experience counts for something

the first four mojave 3 albums are all great, I didn't care for the last one

Out of Tune was the first one I bought. Still listen to it the most though Ask Me Tomorrow is close behind.

These new songs are great.

I wasn't really sold on the singles but this album is great, it's a nice midpoint between Souvlaki and Pygmalion. highlights are probably "Go Get It" and "Don't Know Why"

Jealous of you guys hearing the album already! I can't wait

It's out there.. leaked super early

Rachel is going to be on KEXP tomorrow morning (John in the Morning show is doing an all shoegaze program 6-10 Pacific) if anyone has any interest.

So far, spectacular. No new ground broken here but as shoegaze records go by reformed bands go, it'll probably beat your expectations.

"Sugar For The Pill" is a gorgeous track

seeing them tomorrow! at a gorgeous newly renovated old 1920s theater with what's supposed to be an amazing sound system. saw them last time at the worst venue in mpls so i'm pretty stoked

Remix of "Sugar For the Pill" by Avalon Emerson -- not bad

https://soundcloud.com/deadoceans/slowdive-sugar-for-the-pill-avalon-emersons-gilded-escalation/s-5gxmk

Went to the show last night, no better or worse than the one I saw in 2014 (at the "worst venue in mpls"). Old hollowed out theater made for cool atmosphere, the sound was fine, and yet... my favorite of the reunited shoegaze bands I've seen is the one I've had the most trouble connecting with live. Just me?

cmon the fine line is pretty bad you have to admit

The quotes weren't meant to suggest I was questioning your judgment. I used to hate that place (for blasting Muse right before a Deerhunter set, and other crimes) but I've been to a lot of great shows there in the past few years.

'don't know why' is killing me

this is a damn good album. there's nothing as good as Alison, but as a whole it seems to be as good as any of their other albums.

not even close imo

i don't know how many times i've listened to 'don't know why' today, but it is a lot of fucking times, that is for sure

i had a very stupid and somewhat embarrasing thought about its structure - it's sort of like the lifecycle of a snowflake:
crystals forming on floating dust particles -> sudden blooming as flakes cohere -> the gradual surrender of melting -> final state of liquid non-being

poor sad snowflakes ;_;

this is a damn good album. there's nothing as good as Alison, but as a whole it seems to be as good as any of their other albums.

― brotherlovesdub, Friday, May 5, 2017 2:41 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

not even close imo

― imago, Friday, May 5, 2017 2:53 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

yeah, but how many albums have songs as good as Alison?

amazing record. I wasn't a huge fan of Slowdive back in the day so I'm comfortable asserting that "Star Roving" is as good as it gets.

Anybody even partially slagging this off is talking absolute nonsense. This is easily their third best album.

Pretty fantastic stuff.

i think this is easily better than pygmalion

i think it's their second best, frankly

i like this fine. I like all their albums in different ways, not so into ranking them.

very good comeback album

This album has grown on me a lot. I'm not sure where I'd rank it right now. It could well be my second favourite. The only song I'm not totally sold on is the last one. The way the, "thinking about love" bit overlaps near the end seems a bit clumsy and grates after a while. Everything up to that point is very enjoyable.

Dammit, I guess I really should hear this!! Is it better than the My Bloody Valentine comeback album?

yes (i didn't like mbv that much)

not remotely but give this a listen

My knee jerk reaction upon hearing mbv four years ago was basically, "Hmmph, guess they needed to wait for this sound to be fashionable again." Because it honestly sounded to me like the follow up recorded right after Loveless, just that they had waited to release it. As good as it is (and it **is** so good, so satisfying), it seemed kind of cold and calculated after the dust had settled.

But this new Slowdive, upon my knee jerk reaction, has me thinking it's a much more rewarding listen, just because of how it germinated and came to life. It feels to me a lot more. . . I don't know, earnest?

Both are really excellent records, but I think the comparisons between them stop at "shoegaze band that hasn't released a new album for a long time."

The only song I'm not totally sold on is the last one. The way the, "thinking about love" bit overlaps near the end seems a bit clumsy and grates after a while.

this is my only criticism of the album as well. though on my second listen through, it annoyed me less. i love everything else about that song

Good comeback album, but not as GREAT as Portishead's comeback.

this album is incredible

Doesn't seem to be on their main site yet but there's a live session over on Pitchfork's FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/Pitchfork/videos/vb.28015075999/10155179953621000/?type=2&theater

Saw them last night, and despite technical issues at the beginning, they were fantastic. The production was pretty impressive too, with a complex light show and a smoke machine that actually added to the concert experience without being corny

A board veteran disapproves. (Said veteran is wrong.)

I have done extensive research into the rock music of the 1990s and genuinely cannot comprehend why anyone cares much about Slowdive

— Matthew Perpetua (@perpetua) May 10, 2017

but he's done the research

he calibrates his hot takes with his devotion to Radiohead

Good comeback album, but not as GREAT as Portishead's comeback.

I agree with this sentiment. I think it was because Portishead evolved their style so much that it felt like a true followup and not a nostalgic look back to what once was. Really exciting record and they had a great live show to go with it, too. While this Slowdive album is certainly a progression, there's also a ton of nostalgia.

I guess Portishead are one and done with their comeback at this point. It's been what... nearly a decade since Third? Hope Slowdive has a few more in them.

Right. The problem is everyone else.

What's the phrase about how the truly insane people are that way because they have no grasp on how abnormal their own behavior is?

xpost, obviously.

Be on the lookout for "30th June", a 7.5 minute JP bonus track.

...which has never been named on ILM: The Soft Cavalry (Rachel and her husband Steve Clarke) is solid but leaves me wanting more of Rachel's voice.

they've confirmed they're playing new material live this year, hopefully that means we'll start hearing about the new album very soon too.

i've got a ticket to see them with modest mouse & tfs in april, very much looking forward to that

confirmed on instagram that the new album is complete

Awesome. Absolutely loved the 2017 album, so I’m pumped for this.

Fantastic. Hope they will tour as well. The show supporting the 2017 album was brilliant.

For sure. Low opened up here, love an awesome double bill.

listings were accidentally put up early for the new album everything is alive out september 1. eight tracks including "shanty", "prayer remembered", "alife", "andalucia plays" and "kisses". according to the press release they've incorporated more electronics into their sound and john cale is cited as an influence

looking forward to seeing them next month after they cancelled the tour last minute in april