Swirlies - They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the Salons

Swirlies were a noise pop band formed in Boston, MA, in 1990. Their 1995 album 'They Spend Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of Salons' is just one of the best albums of all time; definitely one of the most colourful, exuberant pop records ever conceived. It's a shame that they never received the kind of recognition that MBV, Slowdive, Ride etc did, least of which because they were fairly unique by noise pop standards in any case.

Thoughtful, brilliantly written pop music is definitely for the keepers. This Swirlies LP is downright magnificent. This bears all the hallmarks of every great noise pop record, layer upon layer of intertwining material, blissed out musical landscapes to wander and reminisce in, lyrics that cut into the heart of you, obscure samples and synthesizers that add to the whole swoon of the whole affair. Sometimes, the songs seem to mutate often halfway through themselves, becoming relentless drum/guitar riff rhythm assaults, and then come back to their melodic roots like it was no big deal. And then, there are some jaw droppingly good  songs on here that would be the highlight of anyone's careers - "Sounds of Sebring", "San Cristobal de las Casas", "Two Girls Kissing" and "Sunn", the latter of which is one of my favourite tunes of all time. For some reason, this album has been overlooked by tons of people. Swirlies were one of East Coast's best kept secrets, and everyone with a love for good noise pop and a twinkle in their eye, look into this. You will not be disappointed.

i see the sunn
wrapped around the strands of your red hair
i burn inside from my fear of telling you that i care
i wake up from the phone, its you
calling me to tell me of your dream
i believe your ways are true
unlike most others do

a latent calm that's half confused

Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy

The Jesus and Mary Chain (or JAMC as they're more affectionately known) are a Glaswegian group formed in 1983, revolving around the songwriting partnership of brothers William and Jim Reid. 1985 saw the coming of their debut - Psychocandy, which is still regarded as a milestone in British music and has stood the test of time as a classic, for me. It was one of a kind, one of the earliest to combine pop songs with searing guitar tones and fuzz, that beaaauutifull fuzz.

The sound that The Jesus and Mary created was famously described as like hearing a chainsaw in a hurricane. It's a barbwired kiss. It's a nightmare of static and honey. Based around the core duo of brothers William and Jim Reid their debut LP still sounds as raw, electrifying and chaotic as it did in 1985. This is pop music eviscerated. Beautiful melodies debased by screaming feedback. Classic chord progression burnt and buried beneath sheets of shrill white noise. Pop toyed with and tarnished.Psychocandy is the perfect title for this collection of dazzling melodies haunted by the ghost of the Velvet Underground. The band exploded onto the indie scene in the UK in 1984-85. Their harsh black leather take on the outside stance offering stark relief to the fey strumming that dominated at the time. Bathed in a dissolute wasp nest of feedback these where howls of romantic nihilism. Simple, short, brutal exercises in the art of the classic pop single. This is Phil Spector's wall of sound bashed out by John Cale and Iggy Pop. From the opening scream of Just Like Honey the Reid brothers drop nothing but classic track after classic track. The basic reverb drenched drumming is provided by Bobby Gillespie.  His lack of technical ability amplifies the beautiful naivety of the songs. It's the battle between the sonic battering and the sweetness of the music that gives the material it's power. These are dark places, dank with desperation but brisling with aggression and strident song writing.  Anyone with a faint interest in the glory of guitar music should own this record already. If you don't have a copy and you love your music loud, difficult and loaded with attitude then buy this album. Revel in its beautiful chaos. (*)

taste the floor

Stereolab - Transient Random Noise Bursts With Announcements

Behold, ladies and gentlemen, one of the greatest bands of the last two decades, no questions asked. Stereolab were formed in 1990 by like minded music enthusiasts Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier. Throughout their career, they've been called fiercely independent and creative, both of which would somehow still be understatements in comparison to what they've accomplished over their time. From their early jangle pop and c86 incarnations they transformed into children of the Velvet Underground and heirs to the krautrock scene, without losing their pop sensibility or the passion for experimentation on album, the evolution continuing over the course of their career (and all the way upto Mary Hansen's unfortunate death in 2002, no two albums had anything in common except for the fact that they were all masterpieces). Now with so many fucking good Stereolab albums and compilations (yeah they have about 5cds worth of non LP material which is just as good) I'm going to have to take some time to get through them all, so I'll just start with my favourite of theirs, their major label debut; Transient Random Noise Bursts with Announcements - and a top 5 album of the 90's for me.

Sometimes I have to be in the mood for this. But when I am, nothing else will even begin to suffice. Every single song on this is its own beast, whilst still retaining the signature Stereolab sound. Not a wasted note here, this album basically showed that the band is more than faithful to its name and were pioneers to the exact revolution they idealised in their songwriting. And oh yeah, Jenny motherfuckin' Ondioline. 'Nuff said. 

If there's been a way to build it, there'll be a way to destroy it