2008: The Shoegaze Strikes Back

On paper, Shoegaze would appear to be the most unlikely genre to make any sort of revival 20 years after the fact. Ambition, careerism and long-term business plans are not concepts one readily identifies with a scene defined by heavy drug use, 45 minute Suicide covers and uncompromising live performances characterised by Noise and Not Really Doing Much On Stage. Nostradamus himself (a massive Ride fan) couldn't have predicted that 2008 would sound as much like 1988 as it has done. Call it drone-rock, shoegaze, whatever - so far this year we've a comeback bigger than Christ and Take That's combined from My Bloody Valentine, rapturous scenes at Jesus and Mary Chain gigs, everybody is nuts about The Black Angels, and now we have the re-issues of connoisseurs faves Loop's first two legendary/seminal/great lost yadda yadda LPs (get 'em here). If you want to know where Black Rebel Motorcycle et al got every good idea they ever nicked, go listen to 'Straight To Your Heart', HERE, from their debut LP 'Heavens End'. (Go dig heavensend.org for all your Loopy needs.) (Fuzz)