“I will likely keep doing this as long as I’m still breathing and discovering music that I enjoy and provided I continue to have the finances to do it.”

“Submotile is a band that sneaks up on you, storms your senses, and thoroughly ensnares you.”

Beth Arzy is well known for her sweet vocal work in Aberdeen/Trembling Blue Stars/The Luxembourg Signal, Lightning in a Twilight Hour, and now the excellent UK band *Jetstream Pony.

“A fine ending to the wonderful reissues of Game Theory and Loud Family releases from Omnivore Recordings.”

“Glasgow singer-songwriter Daniel Wylie and his regular musical cohorts (Neil Sturgeon, Johnny Smillie, Stu Kidd) have once again graced the ears of listeners with a beautiful new record, one released at the trailing end of a deadly pandemic.”

“The Loft were a promising entry in the vast swarm of Creation talent, and seemed more likely than others to make it big. Trailing in the wake of The Smiths, they were right in the thick of guitar-based indie pop. Reveling in their influences, including The Velvet Underground, Television, and Modern Lovers, they released two killer singles: “Why Does the Rain” and “Up the Hill and Down the Slope”.”

“Hovering easily between post rock, shoegaze, and dream pop, this song cycle is one of the best shoegaze records I’ve heard in years. I am amazed by the immense production values and the many-layered tapestry that colors each song. I hear different things every time I listen through, and this one has been on repeat throughout the past month.”

“Lancaster PA band Vicious Blossom is Nate Zerbe (vocals/guitar/lyrics) and a revolving collection of musicians that varies from release to release. The band combines dream pop and shoegaze with a side order of psych for good measure.”

“Beautify Junkyards plays a unique blend of tropicalia, dream pop, and folk. Their songs are like wandering inside a dreamscape.”

“There are eight tracks drenched in dream gaze and a post punk sensibility that will rock your corner of the world for a short time. While it may rain colder on your senses, there is always a warmth to be found at the core of these soundscapes.”

“I’d be hard pressed to give a hard and fast description of this release, as it’s a constantly shifting musical cape, colors swirling about as crystalline notes settle around you. The instrumental passages are exotic swatches of tropicalia meshed with dreamy psych folk.”

“HULL, U.K. FIVE-PIECE BDRMM’s debut album resonates from musical touchpoints far deeper than one would expect from a newer group. Drop the needle on any song, and you’ll be reminded of The Chameleons, DIIV, and even Pale Saints.”

“The band may remind you of well known acts such as Chemical Brothers or Primal Scream. It is dance music that occasionally dips its toes in international waters, which ushers in a whole other layer of complexity to these grooves.”

“We were very much of our time. A product of our times. Shaped and moulded by the explosion of creativity that made the Sixties in Britain so vital, so exciting. You only get one big chance in life. That was ours.”

“We called ourselves The Sidekicks. We then changed our name to The Key. I wasn’t happy about this and came up with the name Kaleidoscope. It was at this phase, as you say, that Pete and I started writing together and kept in the more progressive type of music.”

“Kursaal Flyers were an integral element of the ‘Thames Delta’ music scene emerging from the late 60s clubs into the bright lights of the 1970s pop world. Alongside contemporaries, and in some cases old schoolmates, in bands such as Dr Feelgood and Eddie & The Hot Rods, the Kursaal Flyers (named after a Southend amusement park carnival float) were a regular fixture on the Pub Rock and College circuit of 70s Britain.”

“Suddenly you are swept up in a buzzing maelstrom, a multitude of layers swirling about your ears and lulling you into sonic submission.”

“This 69-song edition showcases artists from 10 different countries, doing just about every sub-genre of pop music, including power pop, pop/rock, folk/pop, psychedelic pop, garage, indie-rock, and so forth.”

“The band’s excellent debut album Ghosts Fade on Skylines instantly enchanted me with its mesmerizing sonic weave of dream gaze and soft drones.”

“Silver-laden music with elven choirs may not transport you to Rivendell, but it will surely bloom into something precious and wonderful and stay present in your head.”

“This pair of releases will please fans and should draw in new listeners who’ve only heard a song or two.”

“She deftly meshes electronica with dreamy, psychedelic rainbow swirls of sound that comfort and succor the listener. Electronic music so often has a chilled ambience, whereas Jane’s music is suffused with warmth. I am not sure how she does it, perhaps she’s divinely inspired on some level.”

“So I was teaching music to kids and that was how the healing process began. I thought I was done playing music, but once I started treating the PTSD, anxiety, and depression that followed with talk therapy and EMDR trauma therapy, the songs started slowly coming out again. This was the only way I saw results in my improvement. Eventually I started playing shows again and before I knew it, the anxiety started to lessen the more and more I played.”

“Piroshka is a UK supergroup formed from members of Lush (Miki Berenyi), Moose (KJ “Moose” McKillop), Elastica (Justin Welch), and Mick Conroy (Modern English). For those expecting this new group to sound like any of those other groups, think again.”

“The approach this time mixes in dance beats with trippy elements and features a more blended approach with respect to vocals.”

“This is not the album people will point to when they talk about the band’s greatest songs, and that would be a shame since some of their best songs reside here.”

“These songs are powerful and exquisitely rendered with love for the craft and the artists behind these works, and what a treat for Record Store Day collectors.”

“The venerable Dunedin quintet is back after three years with a delectable but moody new release.”

“Neil Sturgeon and his band of Infomaniacs have created a delightful new release, full of well-constructed hooks and excellent lyrics.”

“Meadowsweet is a mind-bending and cosmic head trip, immediately dousing your synapses with its dreamy hooks.”

“This music is unsettling, sparse, elegant, and always engages the listener. Yet, it is never easy listening by any stretch.”

“Their songs are full of sensory imagery and deeply felt instrumentation, and it’s their unique way of trying to approach universal joys and sorrows that allows the band to achieve the emotional connection with their listeners that makes them so special.”

““Golden Blunders” is marvelous ear candy with a memorable main melody and strong lyrics. And the muscle behind the sweetness kicks ass! That’s what power pop is all about really, an amalgam of sweetness and light mashed with hard driving drums and bass, and these guys do it so well!”

“There really is no mistaking Victoria Legrand’s winsome alto, or the delicate little flourishes the group employs to dress up their sound. Victoria and musical partner Alex Scally have produced a winning collection of songs on what is arguably their best album.”

“pokes its head through the delay pedal fog and has a renewed focus on song and vocal. There are still some moments for the deep tryypr, but this record ranges from psych fuzz rock mayhem to acoustic fingerpicked whispers.”

“In some respects Spirit were too inspirational and eclectic to ever become major stars, because what they were doing danced around the edges of many musical genres, but in doing so they mined a rich and exciting seam of music.”

“A highly melodic release with huge hooks and the usual amalgamation of punk, garage, goth, and psych that the band excels at.

“The Hanging Stars are a delightful, London folk rock collective whose musical range also extends into country (think Gram Parsons) and West Coast psych.”

“He pens lovely compositions drenched with emotion. Carey’s easy, almost laid back approach speaks of confidence and clarity of vision. He was trained in jazz and it lends itself to the skillful presentation on this release”

“Whatever you’re expecting with this fine new release from Melbourne band The Citradels, it’s not one size fits all psychedelia. They manage to mash up a wide variety of styles, ranging from the paisley vibes of “Believe and Receive” to the stellar, Beach-Boys infused “Dawn Chorus”, with its gorgeous harmonies and gentle melodic warmth.”

“I listen to this release and wonder how they summon such creative talents on all their work, fine, crystalline pop with a gentle dream pop cadence and hints of psych pop. It’s like they channeled Lloyd Cole’s entire catalogue and mashed it up with the best of Flying Nun and Postcard era music.”

“ this seemingly obscure band has been venerated by a generation and more, and the album has been reissued multiple times”

“This music is always striking, profound, and intensely emotional. It is difficult to write emotive instrumental music, but here, we have ethereal, supremely beautiful tone poems that paint multi-hued pictures in the listener’s mind.”

“The music twinkles, sparkles, and hints of anger and anxiety peek through the pretty melodies and well-executed harmonies. Don’t let its beauty fool you; Halliwell has plenty to say on the current political situation.”

“It isn’t exactly easy to pin a label on them, and maybe that’s the point. I suppose to start, it’s fair to say that they’re a psych influenced group. It’s the light and airy type, with dulcet harmonies and charming melodies winding around your ears. At other times, the group inhabits a similar art rock space to Radiohead.”

“…savor their unique blend of trippy but dreamy sonic textures. They remind me in spots of Cocteau Twins and even Kate Bush, but in the end, they sound merely like themselves.”

“This is a sublime collection of post rock pieces, arranged meticulously and exquisitely rendered. Fans of post rock, ambient, and modern classical will greatly enjoy this release. “

“It’s all about the emotion swirling through these compositions, and whether you call it post rock or dream gaze or even drop the term polymath in passing, there are multiple layers here on these long tone poems. For exquisite works of art they are, with stunningly gorgeous instrumental passages chock full of strings and horn sections.”

“When you hear its rich, lush layers, it will seem inconceivable that it wasn’t recorded in an expensive studio. Jen’s music is a technicolor, acid-washed daydream, both trippy and expansive and cinematic in all the best ways.”

“The Best of Big Star_ makes me wonder what superlatives I can offer that haven’t already been offered by a thousand other scribes. I got into Big Star in the 80s, before reissues happened and when original copies on Ardent Records were fetching big bucks. I remember how difficult it was to find #1 Record and Radio City back in the day, and my resulting delight when I found them in New York City via mail order. Reissues came later and now it’s dead easy to find these tunes, but even so, it’s always a pleasure and a delight to hear these songs, sounding as crisp and clear as the day they were recorded.”

“This new release is a celebration of the Eighties Indie scene, documenting a golden era when tuneful guitar-based bands made records on shoestring budgets, often issued on small labels with hand-made artwork, with little hope of mainstream exposure.”

“Many shoegaze blogs, magazines and radio stations started talking about us when our single. “Anyway” came out, and we have found out that the “shoegaze scene” is very like… brotherly, it’s like everybody knows everybody and supports everybody.”

“The idea for a B-sides record came when we realized just how many non-album songs had been made over the years, and how hard it was to find and hear many of them. This compilation contains every song we have ever made that does not exist on one of our records.”

“The band’s sound continues to evolve into a hammering wonder of drones, peaceful passages, and boot stompin’ psych blues.”

“This batch of songs is meant to surround and comfort the listener with fuzzy vibrations and soft tones.”

“Stutter Steps is a Pittsburgh based jangle pop group who’ve deeply mined the Kiwi pop sound and added a soupcon of Luna and maybe some Go Betweens along the way.”

“Omnivore has done another outstanding job of reissuing this underappreciated record and it’s worth it for the 13 tracks alone along with the commentary from people who have worked with Scott. The extra tracks are an added dollop to an already satisfying release. Recommended for all Let’s Active, Game Theory, and Loud Family fans, as well as for anyone who appreciates intelligent, well constructed indie rock. “

“This entire collection evokes a lot of memories from my childhood, and features a wide swathe of musical styles and unusual artists. Well worth picking up for collectors and music aficionados alike.”

“Jane Weaver is progressive rock in its purest molecular form. Fossilised in ferric, the crystal in the concrete. Magnetic, melodic, folkloric, unapologetic and rhythmic in her discipline.”

“I hear so many things as I parse through these songs, all of them memorable in that timeless way that great 60s songs had on me. I also hear echoes of modern artists like Sloan, *Fountains of Wayne, and The Posies. I am sure that is because all these bands have similar influences and all grew up with the same records in their collections.”

“Martin Phillipps, acclaimed singer/songwriter from the equally fabulous group The Chills, is on a roll. He’s emerged in the last several years with one of the finest albums of his career (Silver Bullets) and this version of The Chills is better than ever. Following last year’s Record Store Day release, The Chills return with a fine single “Rocket Science” / “Lost in Space”.”

“When I heard that Cherry Red was releasing a band-curated box set of all their recordings, I thought it was about damned time. That the band is enjoying a renaissance is no accident, as classic bands from that era are reforming and drawing bigger audiences than ever.”

“His iconic career has followed many twists and turns, but on his upcoming release, he is revisiting the quirky psych pop he is known for. Tongue is firmly in cheek with these songs, but there are serious moments too. The sound here hearkens back to The Soft Boys as well as his early solo records.”

“This new album is a testament to his strength, courage, and unflagging determination to heal and soldier on. And what a great new album this is.”

“The title track is an extended mini jam with interesting elements percolating through at different points, but the brilliant use of trumpet is what makes it really stand out! It’s an instrument I love, and it’s so classy.”

“Robert excels at everything he touches, ranging from chiming jangle pop and on to gritty post punk. His work always is a standout, and his voice is unmistakable.”

“Witness the gorgeous opener “Amaris”, which will thrill dream pop fans and remind you of late period Engineers. Rich with melody and grand passages, it is crammed with sparkling notes that chime pleasantly in your ears.”

“They have created a winning collection of medium tempo songs, sunny melodies only partially disguising the moody lyrical content.”

“Diverse arrangements and themes abound on this album. Put the needle anywhere, and you’ll be drawn into an intoxicating melodic drift that sweeps you along with it.”

“This truly is music for floating away forever into the clouds, an infinite journey with Complekt as the perfect soundtrack. Highly recommended!”

“The Clean need no introduction as they are a long established classic Kiwi pop band on the venerable Flying Nun label.”

“This supercharged psych quintet records for the Portland, OR imprint Little Cloud Records. With a triple threat in the form of three guitarists (Josiah, Kate, and Tayler), these folks kick out the jams on this 8 song short album.”

“Hammock sounds utterly unique, their shimmer and shine is all their own. All their releases are gems that stand on their own, each the next chapter in a series of dreamscapes.”

“Cherry Red has become the archival label, in my humble opinion. In conjunction with Grapefruit Records, this fantastic compendium spanning four hours and eighty tracks has arrived. All manner of sounds inhabit the three disks, anticipating the fiftieth anniversary of the Summer of Love and chronicling a tumultuous 12 month period of music in the British Isles. “

“I find myself tapping my toes and bobbing my head as I listen, and the roots of all those Jason has worked with kind of come through. “Glori” even has a spot where the guitar reminds me of Swervedriver. And “Untry Love” is not unlike The Foo Fighters circa “Learning to Fly”.”

“It’s a sophisticated, elegant record, comprised of heavenly layers of calming tones and Daniel’s lovely voice. He has no problems hitting the high notes, and has a firm grasp on what makes a great pop tune.”

“A sometimes jumbled, often crazy, and dazzlingly brilliant, reminding completists and slighter fans alike what a towering talent Alex Chilton was. It will make you sad but also completely joyful that this archival collection exists.”

“The words are recessed so deep they become part of the melodic tapestry. It moves past like a shining skein of silk, and catches you up in its musical snare.”

“The sound here is crystalline, airy, and expansive, seeming to spread over a long distance as it weaves its musical web around you.”

“It’s a summery affair, full of hazy, gentle vocals and endlessly pleasant melodies. It’s like the band has mainlined the entire Yo La Tengo catalog and maybe tossed in late period Feelies.”

“A cool melange of psych, garage rock, and punk.”

“This is a duo on the verge of many great things if they continue creating music at this level. Gorgeous and essential for those who enjoy British folk music.”

“Game Theory’s bandleader was a multitalented force of nature with his quirky, excellent songs, and I am delighted at the series of reissues Omnivore has been putting out.”

“She will remind you briefly of female dominated bands with lots of reverb, but her music skews closer to dream pop.”

“It’s the sound of a band in transition and one with a lot of creative energy. Highly recommended for fans of all things shoegaze, dream pop, and psychedelic tinged pop.”

“One listen to barnburners like “Wavygravy” or the fantastic “Running Late” will hook you for life; both songs are ripe with hooks, heavenly harmonies, and over the top feedback and swirling effects.”

“A wonderful treat for all existing TFC fans and for anyone who enjoys beautiful melodies and harmonies played by masters of the genre.”

“This is a great collection of lovely and catchy psych pop, lyrics akin to the Village Green style of writing that Ray Davies laid down decades before. It also reminds me of vintage Who and XTC’s Skylarking-Mummer period. You may also be reminded of the work that the excellent Pugwash has laid down. These are all touchstones, obviously, because the eccentric Martin Newell’s work is charming, brilliant, and stands on its own merits.’

“Matt wrote and recorded the rough demos of over 50 songs and sent them home to friends to tell the story of what he was going through, who would then send back the songs with overdubs as a sign of support.”

“Fans of soft, gently wafting psych and Syd Barrett styled music will enjoy this trippy offering from this long running Finnish group.”

“The magic, merry-go-round keyboard washes remind the listener of fun times and maybe just a hint of The Chills, alternating between the somewhat downcast lyrics and bright, swirling melodies. It’s this dichotomy that makes this band and its forebears so fascinating.”

“An Italian shoegaze band with a cinematic sensibility to their art, and a barrel of creative ideas and visions to elevate your listening experience far above the typical ‘gaze band.”

“Listening to them is like stepping out of time and being suspended in golden sunshine, eyes closed against the dazzling brightness and feeling comforted by the beauty of this music.”

“All Move fans should own these, as well as any fan of late 60s English psychedelic pop with baroque flourishes, so jump on these while they’re still available.”

The original 11-song record plus four bonus tracks previously available only via a handmade CD/vinyl hybrid disc.

“You can look at C87 as a sequel of sorts, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the original C86. Neil Taylor once again does the honors, contributing extensive liner notes on top of a substantial booklet featuring illustrations of original record sleeves, flyers, and so forth. There are more than 70 tracks here, ranging from well-known artists to obscuro musicians making their debut on CD. None of the tracks here have been available on any of Cherry Red’s recent compilations either. So you can view these three disks as a treasure trove of period music.”

“It’s this filtered brightness and pain that make this music so compelling. Emily’s beautiful voice trembles with feeling, though she keeps the listener at a distance. It’s like watching life through dirty lenses, you squint to see everything, but reality is only partially revealed. It’s this mystery I like so well and what makes Emily stand apart from her contemporaries.”

“Do the words enchanting, delightful, magical, and incandescent mean something to you when you think of music? If not, the one listen to this record will fill the bill for you. This Leicester UK five piece fronted by singer Robyn Gibson have created a 60s pastiche of elegant and timeless songs you won’t soon forget.

“Every Little Thing is a very human reflection on the ebbs and flows of our relationships. It also spurs the questions naturally asked when certain life milestones are reached.”

“The album is majestic, cinematic, and epic from a sonic perspective, yet it seems to wing by effortlessly, transporting the listener to another dimension.”

You’ll go nuts for this new video

“He is definitely from the eccentric school of psychedelic pop that crosses genres into gothic and synth pop with creepy overtones. Think Legendary Pink Dots, and you’re getting warmer.”

“In a genre (psych) that is well worn, this self-described ‘hypnotic reverb rock’ band have pulled out the magical stops. They evoke such great bands as Chatham Rise, JAMC, and BJM but mark this their own territory with fantastic melodies and harmonies mixed with a tripped out and mesmerizing backdrop.”

“ It stands to reason that Joy Division and The Cure and maybe Nick Cave figure largely in their respective music collections, but that is all to their credit. Many have been called to mimic their heroes, but few really get it right. Mayflower Madame has nothing to worry about, they have it nailed!”

The first in a series of singles is a wordless ballad themed around the stages of grief

“A band that defined a certain period of British psychedelic rock from 68-70. Their music contained all the expected hallmarks, including flowery lyrics, slightly lysergic tones, and a boatload of memorable melodies and great harmonies.”

“It’s no surprise that this heady brand of dream pop is effervescent and seamless, a crystalline soundscape that will tickle your synapses and warm your senses.”

“The album opens with the driving power pop of the uber cool “We R Power”, pushed over the top by groovy organ and twining harmonies that resonate like old friends we haven’t seen in ages.”

“There are many ideas here, all worthwhile and it achieves the magic one remembers from “Doldrums”, or maybe “This Is The Way”. There is sometimes a childlike innocence to Martin’s work that I find delightful, and despite the serious tone of many songs, the music always lifts you up.”

“The band often paints somber musical portraits, but even in the deepest darkness, there are glimmers of light floating through.”

Another step forward in the Nashville duo’s musical journey

“All throughout this record, your ears are caressed by Brett’s knack for spinning magical earworms and his wordsmithing skills keep you engaged. Well worth a listen for all fans of highly infectious power pop.”

Members of Winter Hours, The Feelies, The Bongos, and Luna unite for a super single!

“Seattle’s three quarters female garage/power popsters Tacocat are huge X-Files fans. From the band’s name to the title of the album and straight on to their cute tune “Dana Katherine Scully”, their reverence is self-evident.”

“ Last of the Gentleman Adventurers won’t rock you like a hurricane, but its unhurried way of enchanting you with its cool, mellow vibes might just suck you in.”

“Those of us in the know back in the 80s reveled in Miller’s slightly twisted sonics with shades of psychedelia, chamber pop, and power pop. Toss in new wave if it fits better, for none of these labels completely describes what Game Theory pulled off back in 1987.”

“Resident in those golden licks were traces of Bob Dylan, The Byrds, The Clash, Buffalo Springfield, The Everly Brothers, and The Beach Boys. They were also a mainstay in The Paisley Underground movement, along with Green on Red, The Dream Syndicate, and Rain Parade. By any measure, this was a band ahead of its time, and this retrospective is long overdue and welcome.”

“A familiar and relaxing trip through the softer side of psychedelic music, painted with warm washes of organ and charmingly accented English.”

“There is a strong attempt to differentiate and grow, instead of relying on the British-inflected folk rock that inhabits their early work. That style is here of course (“Lilac Man”, “The Defender”), along with the gorgeous harmonies this pair weave so effortlessly.”

“It is unadorned but charming jangle pop with an obvious debt to the Velvet Underground, and really, what is wrong with that? Astor has a laid back voice with the same timbre as James Hoare, and the two blend together effortlessly.”

“chilly but lush music, refining it to jagged, lacy points of light streamed through the darkness.”

“Shoegaze is a term that came into general use around 1990 to describe a new breed of UK indie guitar bands inspired by the likes of 4AD Records and My Bloody Valentine. Bands such as Ride, Moose, Lush, Pale Saints, Swervedriver, Slowdive, Catherine Wheel, Chapterhouse, and The Telescopes married dreamy, off-kilter melodies, skewed, heavily effects-laden guitar riffs and psychedelic production values.”

“It is perhaps their loudest and boldest album, yet it is populated with intricate patterns and delicate passages linking it all together.”

“a trippy, head-spinning deep dive into the world of dark psychedelia.”

“a fine, mature album from one of the 60s greatest songwriters, and it’s mighty good to have him back.”

“This outing is three disks and 33 songs chock full of gorgeous dream pop, shoegaze, and atmospheric soundscapes.”

“it’s a delightful trek through the musical histories of these two veteran performers. And while it’s undoubtedly stuffed full of hits, these songs are indelible. And believe me, this is the highest praise from someone who as a rule doesn’t care for live albums. If you buy one live recording, make it this one.”

“This album seems to be about sunshine and roses, but an unease creeps through this suite of songs. Kudos to the band for trying something different than their last album and succeeding on all levels.”

“a lovely, atmospheric jazz album with classical and world music overtones.”

“This 10th anniversary of this beautiful album displays both how far the band has come and how close they remain to their sonic roots. What you can expect here is delicate and beautifully rendered ambient dream pop that bares the listener to their soul and drenches them with blistering joy and heavy emotion.”

“…Brilliant, trippy folk with field recordings of bird song; it is like a daydream behind closed eyelids with the afterburn of bright sunshine.”

“Mark has migrated somewhat from shoegaze to dreamier electronic music, but the beauty of his older work remains. The music is lush and beautiful, perfect for daydreaming on warm summer days.”

““Linen Garden Part I” is a wonderful opening track, fronted by guitar and piano and buoyed by layers of treated instruments and the bone-shivering quiver of Aimee Norris’s cello. It is liquid beauty of the highest order, and the presence of the stargazing masters of this genre is icing on the cake.”

“The Sun Dehydrates is soaked with buzzing, heavy guitars that start off ominous and build gradually, joined by cool keyboards on their way to the top. Fizzing out like a shaken soda, the song spirals in all directions like a pinwheel. And then it careens back to Earth, drawn back to simple drums and ringing guitar. Listeners can barely exhale before the song rockets up again, ending in joyful, noisy oblivion.”

“Their beautiful work is captured here in this comprehensive box set that includes their three studio albums, bonus tracks, and extensive liner notes. It’s been a long time coming, and I hope fans like me who remember those lost days are lining up to buy this, along with newer fans who missed them the first time around.”

“Just Stay” bobs more slowly, like a bird riding the waves on a perfect summer day. The tripped out guitar is just the icing on a many layered cake.”

Mysterious and entrancing, transformative and peaceful

“The band seems to still be finding its sea legs, though this is beautiful music that transcends language.”

“There is a very attractive pop sensibility about this group, who know when to rein in the pyrotechnics and deliver blissfully sweet harmonies over catchy riffs.”

“Everyone will hear something different in these grooves, from Tame Impala over to Pink Floyd, but no matter, this young band will not disappoint. Catch them while they’re still playing smaller clubs.”

“Sometimes people take what I say too seriously on social media, but I’d like to think this shows another side to Northern Star and the personality and train of thought behind it.”

“Pastoral it is, especially on opening track “On The Swings”, which is a perfect little slice of summer about that unattainable woman.”

“Another stellar release from Ear to Ear Records, this double A-side single from Cambridge, England’s Tape Runs Out defies easy categorization. Imagine if you mixed ambient music with wispy dream pop, and you’ll start to get an idea.”

“When I found music it was different, it added an extra “something” that gave me much more excitement and freedom. Before shoegaze, Sonic Youth was the band that introduced me to all this noisy experimentation with guitars, so that was what opened the gates to a flood of shoegaze bands for me.”

“For those familiar with the band’s majestic debut, you will be extremely happy with the gorgeous layers of lush dream pop (the phenomenal “No Happy Day”) contained herein. Think Cocteau Twins and Slowdive for a start, but expect the band’s shimmering, original take on this heavily mined genre.

““Diamond Girl” is my favorite track on the EP, maybe because it reminds me of what Engineers would sound like from a post rock perspective. It is a tripped out masterpiece with all the cool fx you can imagine, shoegaze with a prog sheen to it.

“Wow, what a treat! A split EP from two of my favorite psych bands, timed for release with the change into full summer. The EP title is fitting, as are track names from “dawn” to “meadowsweet” to “sunshine in my head”. Everything is lowercase, from the band names to song titles, but the music is UPPERCASE with a bang!”

“England’s Presents for Sally is reassuringly great whenever they find the time to release music.”

“All that matters is the music, and rest assured that it’s wonderful. I look forward to hearing a lot more from this up and coming band.”

“All the songs have a certain amount of us wishing we were somewhere else in them, I’m sure of that. We’ve always done our own thing and we’ve never been bothered if the people of our home town like it.”

“They sounded so far ahead of their time back in those dark musical days when only the punk and new wave scenes offered any hope for listeners turned off by disco, bad metal, and hair bands.”

“Malmö, Sweden’s Death and Vanilla are a duo with an enchanting and occasionally creepy sound, composed on vintage instruments and drawing on musical influences ranging from Julee Cruise to Broadcast to The United States of America.”

“I snapped up the vinyl the week it came out and played the crap out of it going forward. And you know, that classic guitar, bass, drums sound never goes out of style when it’s played this well.”

“The band combines spacey elements with solid musicianship, and seems to bypass most of the stereotypical MBV studio trickery that plagues many shoegaze bands.”

“Graveface Records (home of The Casket Girls and other great bands) in Savannah just released this split 12” vinyl on Record Store Day 2015. Dott is a band from Ireland and Night School (members of Whirr) hails from Northern California.”

“This Swedish duo first captured my fancy with their “From Above” single, as sublime an example of dream pop as anything released in 2013. Imagine Air combined with Ennio Morricone, and you start to get an inkling of the musical vein these talented musicians are mining.”

“This compilation reveals the roughness and edginess inherent in early music experiments in this genre, and also shows the punk influence on this San Francisco by way of LA group.”

The entire production was rather like a stoned symphony, with Kilbey as the ringmaster.

“I feel very fortunate at this point in my life that I was able to meet and collaborate with these wonderful people. It would certainly be an experience to play live shows, but recording and releasing music is as much as I can hope for at this point.”

“Scott Miller was like the Mitch Easter of the West Coast, sharing Mitch’s songwriting and guitar playing prowess. They were a match made in indie music heaven.”

“This album is a sonic feast for shoegaze fans, and an excellent start to what promises to be another great year for this revitalized genre.”

“This is not down in the doldrums fare, rather it is like your perfect beach read, containing all the components for a good time.”

“There won’t be another five year gap between albums. I knocked it down, and now I’m building it back up.”

“St. Marie’s annual Static Waves compilation hit just around Thanksgiving this year, and it’s a massive three disk compilation, one comprised entirely of Slowdive covers! What a treat for the scene that celebrates itself.”

“Opening track “Chromatique” moves like an ominous mist over and through you before Durant and Edwin charge in with bold musical strokes that surge into a mind storm.”

Try to imagine a many colored quilt patched with The La’s, and maybe even Paisley Underground faves, The Long Ryders.

“I had a spiritual experience in Austin, TX. Long story short, I basically died and was reborn by some dirty old railroad tracks.”

Magic Castles hits my sonic sweet spot. Just one listen to the gorgeous “Dragonfly” with its majestic flourishes of guitar and you’ll be bought and sold.

Deepfieldview is the musical vision of Danny Lackey, the founder of the When the Sun Hits musical blog. Danny passed away of cancer in 2013, leaving his project unfinished. Producer Charlie Nieland and his wife Nancy Nieland (Her Vanished Grace), Danny’s wife Barbie Lackey, Eric Matthews (Cardinal), Anna Bouchard (Drowner), and Joey Levenson (SPC-ECO) all contributed to this project and brought it to completion.

“My Time (Taking)” is like reveling inside someone’s beautiful dream where Liz Fraser has a starring role

It is all so unexpected, listening to this record. It is neither run of the mill psychedelia or easy listening, and will take a dedicated set of ears to truly appreciate its finer nuances.

I think the current constellation of Engineers actually says more about me than any previous members – the other guys in the band both have their own projects but are happy to help realize my ideas and both bring aspects to my songs that I couldn’t achieve.

The music is memorable and its impact has lasted decades, and that is a testament to the power of this band’s songwriting and playing. Like all such bands, they deserve a much higher profile.

He is the quieter side of The Clean, always keeping it on the down low with his candlelit music.

I first listened to these guys in the early 80s, when all the great Flying Nun music was drowning us in a veritable flood, making us wonder what was in the water.

It’s a classic early 60’s girl group thing to have super snappy/up beat songs with dark lyrics or serious messages. i’m a big fan of that.

We own all of the rights to our back catalog, so we asked ourselves for permission to use some older tunes, and we generously told ourselves that we would be happy to let ourselves use them (we have a very good relationship with ourselves in that respect)

“Passage” peels back the layers of reverb and lets you dive in a bit closer to its sonic heart, but Jane emotes from a great distance, and you’re no closer to figuring out what it all means.

The winds of change blow through us all, and Mark is moving toward more experimental synth pop with occasional jazz overtones, and seems less inclined to trot out traditional song structures.

I love to play with all of these effects pedals and to create sounds. A lot of that stuff is from your country… the whole room flashes like a pinball game.

And oh, “Ruby”, where have you been all my life? What a shimmering jewel of chamber pop this is. I love its ornate stylings as it unfolds in the best tradition of bands like The Left Banke.

That’s why a great song, just missing one or two pieces, can lie dormant for a few years before we finally polish it off, complete with icing and a cherry on top.

Daisy House is generous music, and very old school at heart. Who knows? It might even be revolutionary.

This is music for communing with constantly rotating objects in motion, such as planets in orbit.

… a marvelously detailed and meticulously researched story of the little band that could from Zion, Illinois…

It’s also very refreshing for us to step out of the hazy gloom and into a different shade of light; it’s still a very melancholy sombre black bulb sort of light.

Seven bands, two nights, thirty five bucks. What a bargain!

Karl’s voice is undiminished in its power and clarity after all these years, a time which included a brain aneurysm which left him with the inability to speak. That he recovered so well is a testament to his passion and drive as a musician.

“God’s Dream” would not be out of place on a Pale Saints album, but it stands on its own as a classic slab of ‘gaze.

Wyatt Parkins has a knack for finding artists whose music stretches across the sonic palette, and this is a compilation of many colors.

The smoothly ominous bass lines will suck you straight in, as witnessed by the deceptively dreamy “Milk and Honey”.

Hammock’s music draws out such powerful emotions that one can be blinded with joy even while tears blur your vision.

Some may call this ‘electrogaze’, but I call it a taste of dream pop heaven.

We want to suck you in and take over your body!

Most of the melodies were made walking down the street, riding on the train, at random, and then recorded onto cell phones. You then have an idea that turns into a song skeleton and we build a shape around that. I believe that most of the best songs are written spontaneously.

When I began the process, I thought I’d have a 200 page manuscript by the end of that summer. Gary Klebe said, “No, this is going to be like a Shoes record. It’s going to take longer than you thought, but it’s going to be better than you thought.” He was right. Three years later, it’s a 500 page, wide-ranging consideration of the entire music industry over the last 40 years. Not what I envisioned at first, but much better.

You can revel in the shimmering guitars and the wall of feedback driving such lovely tunes as “Stay With Me”, bliss out to the piano driven “You” or let your mind wander with the beautiful ambience in “Not There”.

Through death, divorce, and illness, they’ve managed to pull off something that is beautiful yet challenging. It unveils itself over time and reveals many-hued layers of complexity, yet it can also be boiled down to simple melodies.

I’m not into shoegaze music so much, it’s kinda boring. I want to hear a song. I think shoegaze was a great thing at one time, but now it’s all about delay and what pedals you have. I love crazy sounds and feedback, but there has to be a song.

For me, it’s not so much the message as the sound that gets me. Especially when you hit perfect summer songs like “American Lovers”.

Our future plans are to crush the pop world, make it bend to our will, and install Tatiana as the new un-spoilable, folk-rock, high priestess of pop.

When people receive you quite well and like what you do, you can’t help but be influenced by that, and feel like you want to make something people will like. But we tried to do what we do, and make songs that we like, and not think about it too much.

I could be way off, but it sure reminds me of classic Black Sabbath, going way back to Paranoid days.

The fact that someone has taken something you have written, recorded and then taken their own time not only to listen to it, but write and tell other people means more than anything I could possibly put into words.

The beauty of good shoegaze rests in how it hits you, and this one bowls me over.

I can’t just sit around strumming a guitar for fun anymore. I can only last a few minutes. So having all these poems sitting around has helped me to finish songs more quickly, and the words are somewhat more intentional and vivid, because they were meant to be able to stand on their own.

It can drip with gentle piano when you expect sonic bombast, or meander into the liquid notes of the lovely instrumental “Encrypted Wilderness”.

This memorable cycle of songs will resonate with listeners long after the final note has faded away.

He had the ability to touch the hearts of people all over the world, simply by being himself. He loved deeply both beauty and music; his passion was experiencing both of those simultaneously, whether he was making the music or listening to it.

HVG has a weird intensity that makes it not regular pop, but also has a melodicism that is inviting. We kind of glower at you and serenade you at the same time.

It still amazes us when a support band turns up with a plectrum and a tuner and expect us to provide a full backline. We tend to tell them to get back on the tube and sort themselves out!

The best music ingrains itself into your being and helps get us through our lives, marking milestones and watershed moments in our lives.

All the cool modern shoegaze bands I know are punk rock people at heart, they show up on the stage to GO OFF, not to piddle with their reverb pedal and pretend to be cool.

Deftly played songs about nature, love, and the sea.

In this day and age, everything needs to be sold with a catch phrase; if it takes more than 15 seconds or a sentence to explain, people are on to the next thing.

This transcendent double album is studded with stellar compositions that push you to a higher plane.

She is touted as the comedown queen, or the late night/Sunday morning pick me up for others, but the beauty of her work is that she can be whatever you want her to be.

“We are both Southern born and bred. I think having that common background in the South, with all of its grandeur and undeniable flaws, pretty much permeates everything we do.”

It’s about making a monument to our imagination and trying to create something that is beyond ourselves.

The songs are often straightforward pop songs, but they’re pop songs with a twist. I’m not saying that we’re avant garde or experimental, because we aren’t really, but I really hope that we are subversive in some way, even if it’s just subliminal.

The perfect sonic storm faded away even as the tornadic maelstrom kicked up outside.

I generally find that intention doesn’t come into the music part of record-making all that much – you just kinda start, and then sooner or later a direction makes itself apparent, and the momentum of that carries you through to the end.

This enchanting power pop group put a spell on the entire audience during this Good Friday show at the Paradise in Boston. Well worth the trip.

I quit painting many years ago to focus on music. And shoegaze / effect-based music was a natural fit for me due to the experimentation and lush beauty involved. It’s like painting for your ears.

Everything we like about the Blurries is born from what we were doing wrong as Slider Pines. Even now, we use that band name (which is god-awful) as a reverse rally cry for doing things better, or just differently.

Never attempt to recreate what’s already been done, where’s the thrill in that?

“I would hope that the real connection people would make with our music is a spiritual one…that lifts you to a higher mental state, and away from everyday consciousness.”