I’ve posted about my love for all things My Bloody Valentine before, but with all the recent MBV news, I thought I’d reiterate: MBV = most innovative band of the last 25 years, most innovative guitar work since Hendrix, and owners of two of the best albums in my lifetime. All this praise is probably in part due to the way they just vanished following the release of their second LP, Loveless, in 1991 (what if Zeppelin had stopped after IV?), but most of it is legit. Sure, they inspired a whole generation of musicians that have released some pretty solid stuff since then, but I honestly don’t think there has been an album quite like Loveless (especially in terms of how they reinvented the guitar, which had pretty much become a dried out old fruit by the late 80’s).
I’m not eloquent enough to describe how amazing this album is, but I think the guys over at Pitchfork nailed it:
Few pop albums are routinely described in religious terms but this is one of them. It’s partly because, like any scripture worth its salt, it leaves itself open to interpretation. Going back to that Eno quote, there’s no telling what many of these songs “mean,” even after you’ve read the lyrics. They bypass the language center of the brain and head for other areas– where memory, tactile sensation, and emotions lie. It’s an album you feel more than one you understand.
If you’re reading this and thinking “I don’t get it the hype” or “it’s good but religious?” or “I like M83 better” or “My Bloody who?”, check out Loveless. And remember, those are guitars (most of the time only one or two), and not synthesizers, making those noises. Sure, I love me some Pavement, Built To Spill, Broken Social Scene, etc, but none of those bands would have been quite the same without MBV.
Also, if you have a minute or two and want to read a little more about MBV from people way better at articulating stuff with words than moi, check out the articles below. The Quietus interview with Kevin Shields (mastermind behind the band) is particularly interesting.
Spin’s 100 Greatest Guitarists (Kevin Shields at #2)
I love J. Mascis’s description, especially after watching his video interviews. Also my boy Nels isnt satisfied with 43.
So MBV is that band that would always come on my itunes shuffle and make me think, “Hey, that’s got some catch.” I haven’t truly given them their own “phase” yet, but maybe it is time.
It is definitely time.