Souvlaki - Slowdive

With an unusual orientation of introspection, shoegazing, muted vocals and breathless guitar effects, Reading band Slowdive were a diamond in the rough in the early 1990's. While the rest of the world was busy getting caught up with Nirvanathon and American grunge (which is fair enough, I must say), Slowdive were quietly making beautiful music that, sadly, has never quite recieved the attention it so rightly deserves. 'Souvlaki' represents Slowdive at the peak of their success and skill. Released between the promising EP 'Just for a Day' and full length album 'Pygmalian', this record strikes the perfect balance that the band has always strived ...  Read the complete review

Sandwiched between their promising debut 'Just For A Day' and the slightly disappointing 'Pygmalion', 'Souvlaki' represents Slowdive at the peak of their powers. Here was a band that garnered huge amounts of coverage in the music press but sold precious few records. Souvlaki (which is a Greek dish!) is awash with dizzy guitars and timid vocals and provides a benchmark for many shoegazing wannabies. Slowdive had a knowing detached cool about them. Their music wasn't lyrically based but it packed a huge emotional punch. Back in 1993 when the album was released the shoegazing scene was in the throes of burning itself out but ...  Read the complete review

From the late 80's came Slowdive, seemingly typical of artists of that generation producing music associated with dream pop, indie and shoegazers. They formed in 1989 in Reading, producing a kind of trance-pop sound that gave them respect and a great CV of music. Slowdive's music generally has a slow, dense feel about it, induced by distorted guitars and ethereal vocals from Rachel Goswell. They were signed to Creation in UK and SBK in the US, and despite problems with SBK they went on to produce relatively successful records. But their success would never equal their talent. 'Souvlaki', following the LP 'Just for a day', works around the ...  Read the complete review