Labels: Laser Ghost
Review by: Andy Malcolm
I suspect that there a million and one shoegaze bands out there these days. There seems to be for most types of music – the internet has caused this. However, we don’t get sent much shoegaze for review. Hence, when we do, it doesn’t feel quite so standard as it actually may be, in fact it stands out from the pile of mediocrity that generally desceneds on my doorstep by being a rather enjoyable listen. The Fauns play typically nice stuff, it’s all fuzzy wuzzy with drifting female vocals and summons up visions of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and jangly 80s indie pop. Given that I only hear new bands doing this thing once in a blue moon, I find it all very pleasant and endearing. I am more than aware that plenty of bands out there ape this style but I simply don’t get round to hearing them. There is far too much other generic stuff in other styles that I love to glorify to be dallying with generic shoegaze. This album is a pleasure to listen to. The music is undoubtedly nice, the electronic ambience pulses gorgeously on each track, and it has the requisite warmth – the Fauns sound like being in bed and never wanting to get out. Generally though, I prefer not to hang around in bed these days and as nice as this album is, it isn’t going to stun you with ground breaking ways. However, if you are happy with blissful, cuddly shoegaze then you should check this lot out right away as they have the sound nailed and will soothe your troubled heart. Whilst if you got bored of this thing nigh on two decades ago, go listen to something else then you grumpy old bastard.
If you still haven’t figured it out: this is a good, if somewhat familiar, album.