Search - Pacific Uv :: Pacific Uv

Stunningly beautiful!

J Lee Harshbarger | Ypsilanti, MI United States | 08/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have not heard an album like this in years.In the early 1990s, I loved the fluid, relaxing sounds produced by Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine (i.e. the Tremolo EP), Lush (Split), Cocteau Twins, and Curve (the Frozen EP). But it seemed that by mid-decade, this style of music I loved so much had vanished. Lush abandoned their floating sound and came out front with Lovelife, with the hit song "Ladykillers" sounding like angry surf music rather than the gentle, floating music they had been making. Curve became more up front and aggressive with Doppleganger. I never heard from Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine again after the early 1990s.So since then, I've been listening to these old albums when in the mood for laidback summer music. More recently, I've been thoroughly enjoying Starflyer 59 and Bon Voyage, who have had a type of floating music, but their albums are more pop. (If you like the song "All The Traps" by Bon Voyage, you are certain to like this Pacific UV album--similar in sound and mood.)I picked up this CD on the basis of the album cover and the fact that one of the instruments listed was "drones." I didn't know what to expect, but certainly it wasn't what I got! What a wonderful surprise! This lovely style of music I've been missing, back again!The music is very slow, just drifting along. The male vocals are sung at lower register and as someone would sing while they were far away in thought (think Starflyer 59). Sometimes the male vocalist is accompanied by a female, who sings in the same manner. The electric guitars don't play notes so much as drift along. It is all so beautiful.This album is perfect for lazy days of summer. The fluid sounds of the music make it perfect for enjoying while at the ocean. You've got to listen to this at least once through headphones--at a couple points, the sound shimmers back and forth between your left and right ears, helping to create that floating feeling. At one point in the song "Blind," I can envision just having come over a hill and suddenly seeing before me the vast stretches of the ocean...a grand yet relaxing feeling.If you are far away from the ocean, this also works for lakes or quiet pools or perhaps even a hammock. Actually, I sometimes listen to this at work! I work in a windowless office, and when I have some tasks that are more mechanical, I can put on this album and forget about being in a windowless office...this album takes me oceanside, basking in the sun, like I'm almost really there.I have been listening to this album a lot! There is not a single weak song on it; every song is equally wondrous, whether instrumental or vocal. Every time I put it on, it makes me feel so good, so relaxed, so peaceful. It is stunningly beautiful music! I am so glad I have come across this album!!!"

Amazing!

Christopher | 11/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"mix in 7 parts the best of slowdive, 2 parts the best of mojave 3, 1/2 a part the best of spiritualized, and 1/2 a part the best of jesus and mary chain, and voila! a really impressive album. don't listen to the 2 star reviewer, he's just bitter that this album rivals slowdive's soulvaki. hipsters get upset whenever anything comes close to reaching the heights of their staples... (loveless, storm in heaven, soulvaki, disentegration...) but this does it."