Only a stunning comeback by the Popguns kept the Luxembourg Signal from attaining my
album of the year for 2014. A year later, it's nice to take a look back at that list with no regrets about those two long players. Doesn't always work out that way, and there it is floating about the 'Net forevermore, but I digress. Thinking about the Luxembourg Signal today because there's a dynamic new take of self-titled album opener "Dying Star" being released tomorrow via Test Pattern Records, and I have had it on a constant loop all evening. Speaking of Loop, I hope you have fond memories of that pioneering shoegaze outfit because frontman Robert Hampson is the one who took the courageous step of tinkering with this dreampop masterpiece. I always meet the remix of a favorite with some trepidation, but my worries have proven to be unfounded. Mr. Hampson's touches are inspired, and the spirit of the original is intact.
"Dying Star (Cirrus)" is one half a beautiful limited edition split 7" with "Breaking" by Soft Science on the flip side. A better complement to the Luxembourg Signal's sound you will not find. A nice discovery just as I'm compiling this year's list of best songs.
Order from Test Pattern Records now.
7 comments:
I like this very much, Brian. I'd better investigate further. Might I also recommend the 'Lost Recordings' by Aberdeen that John Girder has made available via Bandcamp if you've not already heard 'em. I always thought the bands releases were a little too polished, at least for my tastes, but these recordings really give a flavour of what must have attracted Matt and Claire at Sarah to their demos. Regarding Loop, by the way, I recall them as being (along with MBV, of course) one of the absolute LOUDEST live bands I ever saw...
Cheers, MisterPrime
Thanks for letting me know bout these songs from Aberdeen, MisterPrime. Here's a link for those who would like to know more. I had no idea. So good. I have always liked them, but I do see why you would be attracted to this lo-fi approach.
https://aberdeenstate.bandcamp.com/album/it-was-the-rain-lost-recordings-1993-1995
Did you get Popkiss, the book about Sarah Records? I hope to be opening that one Christmas morning. Happy to hear you like this remix.
That is brilliant Brian but it will be expensive to buy the single with the price of shipping.
Actually shipping was quite reasonable, 8 of your US dollars. Duly purchased
Wonderful, Drew. Shipping is our plight, isn't it? Luckily I have finally found a couple of places on this side of the Atlantic that are good about stocking my favorite UK labels. Hope you're home from Leeds... although your misery does make for a good read.
Well that just floored me! I've always found shoegaze (I hate the term Dream Pop) very addictive, but this one is like a mainline straight into my sensory system. There's a really fearsome beauty in Hampson's remix. He certainly still knows how "to bring the loud" to a song.
Echorich, My apologies. I forgot about your aversion to that term. Anyway, no matter what you call it, sure glad you enjoyed it. Can't shake this one. Just listened to it again.
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