Active Child - Curtis Lane

Artist: Active Child
Album: Curtis Lane
Year: 2010
Genre: Ambient, Dream Pop, Mildly Electronic
Country: U.S. (Cali)

Sometimes, you just find albums in your library without any recollection of when, why or how you got them. Everyone reading has probably looked through their collection once and said, "who the fuck are these guys?" Sometimes, they're things you downloaded and forgot to listen to, or just downloaded for the indie cred. Regardless, its there, you're bored, and you feel like listening to something new. The initial reaction is to go online, see if pitchfork gave it a review (don't lie, you all do it), and if there is none, you know you have a hipster victory token. Two things can happen from here, you could either find your band of the week, or found something to contribute to the infamous recycling bin. Finding a hidden treasure on your computer is one of the many joys of having a collection that in retrospect, is far too large.
If you were to ask if I knew who Active Child were 2 weeks ago, you would see a confused look on my face. Little would you know, a release of theirs has been chilling in my collection since mid-October. It was found clusterfucked with a bunch of other albums completely unknown in my collection, some of which still have yet to receive a listen. Thankfully, this album has been heard, and enjoyed to its potential. (Incidentally, this album does have a pitchfork review.) After a few more listens, this album has been deemed worthy by a specific screening process.
Calling the album ambient is quite a stretch to be honest, but it kind of has to be included. The album is dominated by keyboard, drums, guitar, and falsetto vocals. However, it sounds nothing like Sigur Ros. Usually once the songs pick up, they are actually danceable. Not that this music was probably intended for dancing at all, but the pace is much faster than most ambient, dream poppy, post-rocky, electonicy styles. It even has ostinatos  at some points in certain songs. Point being, this record is far from what it may seem like it may be. Its actually catchy.
The main charm of this album is its 'bedroom' recording feel. Even if you've never heard this term, you should know what it means. Essentially, it has a somewhat personal appeal, like he's actually playing for you. It's like the demos your friends send you over the internet. It's like these recordings feel actually private in a way. He's not in your face about his music. A great release, which shows potential in Pat Grossi and Active Child.
Rating: B+

Tracklist:
1. I'm in Your Church at Night
2. She Was a Vision
3. When Your Love is Safe
4. Take Shelter
5. Weight of the World
6. Wilderness

Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?lx1zvj5u4ki
If you really like him, you should check out his latest release, which became available 2 days ago. http://activechildmusic.com/2011/01/06/daytrotter-performance-out-for-free-download/

Alison's Halo - Eyedazzler 1992-1996

Artist: Alison's Halo
Album: Eyedazzler 1992-1996
Year: Released in 1997
Genre: Shoegaze, Dream Pop
Country: U.S. (Arizona)

No one can deny that early 90s Shoegaze was a British thing. Sure the U.S. had bands that were of the specific style, such as Drop Nineteens or Lilys, but the main movement was centered in England, particularly in the River Thames area. The U.S. was still dominated by Grunge during the early to mid 1990s, and Shoegaze was not something that was commonly talked about between music listening teens and young adults. The U.S. counterparts of Shoegaze were typically college students with an extreme fascination in English Alternative music, and they typically came to be in large, Northern cities.Cities such as New York, Boston, and Chicago were where these few bands seemed to conglomerate, and develop a small but loyal fanbase of those who wish they were in Oxford to see Lush play with Ride.
Alison's Halo, on the other hand, were from Tempe Arizona, a place definitely not known for a music scene, or a very English influenced culture. However there is little question what kind of music they played, this is pure Shoegaze at its finest. They are still, I believe, the only Early 90s American Shoegaze outfit to feature female vocals, a theme not exactly prominent with American Alternative in the 1990s. Female vocals in English Shoegaze, however, are arguably just as prevalent as male vocals. Now, knowing whether this band is actually playing tribute to the English scene, or are developing their own fusion of Space Rock and Punk, is unknown.
This release, much like Gala by Lush, is a collection of songs from their previous EPs, due to these EPs not having a very significant amount of copies. Even though Gala was 7 years senior to Eyedazzler, their similarities are remarkable. They are both very female orientated groups focusing on Pop ideals, just as much as the musicianship and sound of the noisy instruments around them. In total, with the creativity, both records sound absolutely beautiful.
It is unknown if the tracks are in any sort of chronological order, or rearranged for this release, but the order seems to flow well enough. The songs on the album vary from abrasive and noisy to gentle and dreamy. This creates an unpredictable album flow that works well with the songs. Some songs seem to branch out more, such as 'Always April' which reminds me a lot of 'Zombie' by The Cranberries for some reason. The songs vary in length as well. Some are quite short, and some run for 7 or 8 minutes.
This album is a great example of American Shoegaze, and sounds a lot different than that of the New York and other big city Shoegaze counterparts. Well worth an intent listen.
Rating: A-

Tracklist:
1. Raindrop
2 .Wishes
3. Melt
4. Chime
5. Always April
6. Snowbleed
7. Torn
8. Leech
9. Sunshy
10. Chalkboard James
11. Untitled [Live from 1995]

Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?yzyztnzyier
May or may not work, let me know if it has troubles. I know at least one mediafire link has corrupted files.

Seaspin - Reverser [EP]

Artist: Seaspin
Album: Reverser EP
Year: 2010
Genre: Shoegaze, Dream Pop
Country: U.S. (Cali)

As previously stated, 2009-2010 marked a huge Shoegaze revival. But sometimes, the EPs are better than the LPs. Why express an albums worth of songs when you can sample the best of the best on 4 or 5 tracks? Is it because they would sell more copies for a higher price? It doesn't matter, true music nerds will download it all for free anyway. If you want to sell more, put it on vinyl. Its 2011, vinyl is back. The hipsters will eat it up. I have an extensive vinyl collection myself, so I honestly shouldn't be talking.
Its the power of the internet that helps people discover bands like Seaspin. Its nothing new really, its just a god-tier Shoegaze revival EP coming from the San Fransisco scene, an area that has released dozens of excellent EPs in the past couple of years (see LSD and the Search for God and Whirl). Because of the internet, legions of Shoegaze revivalists can download these even though they are stuck in Bum Fuck Nowhere Missouri. Even though I'm sure the bands aren't great fans of this, people would definitley come to their live shows if they came to, say, Missouri.
The EP opens with 'Love is a Fable', which is really the greatest track on the album. A noise pop classic, the underlying guitar track makes Shoegazers smile. Topped with the melody and the harmonizing vocals, this song could be compared to 'Leave Them all Behind' by Ride, except with female vocals. After the fuzzy noise of the first track, the EP segues into a much more poppy song, 'Dream Life'. There is no other way to describe this track other than pure beauty. You would honestly think this is not the same band that you just listened to on the previous track, but it is. It is a non-distorted, yet heavily delayed and reverbed. The vocals almost sound like a common pop star's, but it just fits with the tune so well.
The album fluctuates from there, varying between different levels of effects in the guitars, between hard and soft melodies, and the aggressive and passive vocal styles. This record does take some random turns, but at least it doesn't bore you. A highly recommended piece.
Rating: A-

Tracklist:
1. Love is a Fable
2. Dream Life
3. Give Yourself
4. Reverser
5. The Way You Move

Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?u5gnmughjlm

Whirl - Distressor [EP]

Artist: Whirl
Album: Distressor
Year: 2010
Genre: Shoegaze, Dream Pop, Noise pop
Country: U.S. (California)

EP of the year in my opinion. Actually scratch that, It's a tie with Broken Dreams Club by Girls. Also the Cloud nothings EP. Oh fuck, whatever. Point is, this is really good. It sounds like it's the bridge between Shoegaze and Dream Pop. The rhythmic fuzz with one guitar along with the heavily reverbed lead guitar, and droning, androgynous sounding vocals, is what proves that this is a recording for Shoegaze fans to remember. Listening to it, it sounds as if it is a fusion of all the original bands of Shoegaze put together; The underlying noise of My Bloody Valentine, the pop hooks of Ride, The pretty, yet harsh vocals of Slowdive, and the sheer beauty of Lush, almost makes a total fusion have its own sound ideal. Just the way 'Preface' leads into 'Leave', shows you the ride you're about to take. Embrace it, its a very good ride.
My Rating: A

Tracklist:
1. Preface
2. Leave
3. Blue
4. Ghost
5. Meaningless
6. Child
7. Sandy

Links: (mp3) http://www.mediafire.com/?t2neunngqko
(FLAC) http://www.mediafire.com/?aac25417ffw72ag

Slowdive - Pygmalion

Artist: Slowdive
Album Pygmalion
Year: 1995
Genre: Dream Pop, Shoegaze, Ambient
Country: UK

If you're on here, I'm sure you know Slowdive. They pioneered Shoegaze in the 90s. You should have Souvlaki in your collection right now, and if you don't, I highly suggest you get off this blog until you do just that. However, most people, like me for a long time, stop there. Pygmalion was quite different, songs clock in at an average of around 5 or 6 minutes, The sound is nowhere near as aggressive, and even me calling it Shoegaze myself is kind of a stretch. However, I've always had this album downloaded, and never really gave it a good listen until I recognized one of the songs from this album on a film I recently watched. The film was 'Doom Generation' in case you were wondering. I also found it somewhat mediocre if you're wondering that too.
The song at the end of the movie is great though. The song was 'Blue Skied an' Clear' which in my opinion is the highlight of the album. It gives me a feeling of the apathetic nostalgia that I believe everyone experiences in their youth, particularly their later teen years. Honestly the whole album kind of sounds like this, like a dream that is fading away slowly, but its almost as if these are good memories you want to go away, so you can remember intently. I think this may be my own personal feeling from listening to this, but I wish you experience these thoughts as well. It just feels right.
My Rating: B

Tracklist:
1. Rutti
2. Crazy for You
3. Miranda
4. Trellisaze
5. Cello
6. J's Heaven
7. Visions of La
8. Blue Skied an' Clear
9. All of us

Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?gzyknf2nmjy

Ringo Deathstarr - Sparkler

Artist: Ringo Deathstarr
Album: Sparkler
Year: Late 2009
Genre: Shoegaze, Dream Pop
Country: U.S. (Texas)

With a band title which is an obvious pun on the drummer for The Beatles, this album is a shoegaze staple. Noisy, textured guitars, ethereal vocals subdued beneath walls of jangly noise, pounding drums, and killer bass lines to hold it all together. If you really liked the glide guitar, and dance oriented drum lines from 'Soon' by My Bloody Valentine, you will like this album. The vocals are a lot more in your face than most of the albums in the first wave, but they are definitley not a vocal led band. All the instruments work as a collective. The sound is not particularly too noisy, but textured. It flows together very well.
Overall, this album is a fine example of how a musical genre spawned in England can be done with style overseas.
My Rating: B+

Tracklisting:


1. Swirly
2. Starrsha
3.Some Kind of Sad
4. Down on You
5.Sweet Girl
6. In Love
7.Summer Time
8. Rats Live on Evil Star
9.Your Town

Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?mm2miutn3zl