PACIFIC UV

Pacific UV make this impression on me as foreign beings travelled from the cosmos, who finally came to rest on Earth, probably under the water of the sea. But as far as my imagination takes me, the facts say that in fact Pacific UV are a band formed in Athens, Georgia in 1998. Now residing in Portland, Oregon, the band have established their signature sound; loveable and drenched with the peaceful emotion that's seemingly difficult to come by in this busy world. The wonderful thing about this sort of shoegaze/dream pop inspired music is that the movement is so soft and flowing, like a paper boat drifting across a lake. There are no jumps or bumps, just billowing instrumentation and vocals sung at a low register, sounding as a voice would if it was carried through the clouds. Pacific UV's music is simple in structure, an easy listen because it takes the individual to the dream location of choice; a floating beach island in the sky, a glass house in the center of Spain, the space between different dimensions. Many ambient drones mixed with electronic sounds and breathy vocals whispering secrets, it is a guarentee that your eardrums will be soothed by Pacific UV, a perfect way to end the day...

Listen!
Lijv
Maryanne
Need

website - myspace - last.fm - buy

GROUPER

The word 'grouper' comes from the name of a type of deep swimming fish found in warm and tropical seas. In another case, 'Garoupa' is in the Russian dialect of the Enchained Forest region of Siberia. Then, a particularly different Grouper, my favourite of all, is actually Elizabeth (Liz) Harris from Portland, Oregon. Though she has been releasing music since 2005 (Way Their Crept (2005), Wide (2006), and Cover The Windows And Walls (2007)), Grouper has only just recently begin to recieve the attention she well deserves, with the arrival of her new album, the creepily named 'Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill'. Not much information is provided on Liz Harris, and perhaps this mystery is a good thing, for it will just have to let the music speak for itself.
What I feel from Grouper's music is it being somewhat of a hazy dream, one of the ones you get when you are sore with the cold and the world appears dim and you are very forgetful...yet years later, you can recall those peaceful hours of sleep and beautiful dreams that occured. The music is melodic and the vocals are wispy and ethereal, though I have yet to know of the lyrics. Although built on a guitar, vocals and some special filtering and processing, the atmospheric feel of Grouper's music is absolutely immense, almost overwhelming. The earlier albums are more oriented on a drone style, more focused on that form of escalating ambient sound. The newest album, Dragging A Dead Dear Up A Hill has revolutionised the sound of Grouper, bringing a more melodic dream pop quality to the already wonderful music. The sound is dark but yet always dotted with the feeling of hope. The track 'Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping' especially reflects this aspect for me; I'm imagining a girl walking through the street calmy, observing a surrounding chaos that is slowly resolving on her peaceful behalf. All these images are accompanied by a slightly vignetted, unfocused effect, which makes me wonder whether Grouper's music actually exists or whether this is all just some wonderful dream.

Listen!
Disengaged
Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping
Make Me Over

myspace - last.fm - buy

SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS

School Of Seven Bells is a new band compromised of Benjamin Curtis (Secret Machines) and twin sisters Alejandra and Claudia Deheza (On! Air! Library!). Perhaps this is why their music is so harmonious and melodically well done; a strong friendship within the group, as well two girls sharing close biological bond. Formed in 2007, School Of Seven Bells have been generating much talk about their very recently released debut, Alpinisms. The reason behind this is quite clear. Already we are captured by the band's curious name (taken after the legendary South American crime college) and by the crafty album cover (a burst of colourful rays from between mountains). On receiving this album, I couldn't wait to listen but it was worth to wait...first run through I was intrigued, second time I was already absorbed by the music, and third listen left me completely in love! It must be said that this album would be the best approach to shoegaze style music I have heard in quite some long time; School Of Seven Bells are certainly set apart from the less imaginative latter-day shoegazers. Borrowing from many different styles of varying origins, School Of Seven Bells' music sparkles and shines, wearing its range of influence quite well. Appalachian melodies and folk tradition are blended with chilly electronic textures on 'Iamundernodisguise' and 'Connjur' was clearly inspired with pristine 60s style harmonies. The whole album is filled with psychedelic bass, cosmic rhythms, silky vocals and sweeping arrangements. This is ethereal pop at its finest.

Listen!
Face To Face On High Places
Half Asleep
Iamundernodisguise

website - last.fm - myspace - buy