-=- SHGZ -=-
* Shoegaze * Indie * Post-Rock * Grunge * Dream Pop * Psych-Rock * Ethereal *
Artist..: Ulrika Spacek
Album...: The Album Paranoia
GENRE....: Psychedelic Rock
STYLE....: Indie, Alternative, Experimental, Space
LABEL....: Tough Love SCENE.....: 2016-03-04
BITRATE..: 243 kbps avg STORE.....: 2016-00-00
ENCODER..: LAME 3.98.4 -V0 TRACKS....: 10
SIZE.....: 79.25MB SOURCE....: CD
URL..: http://www.ulrikaspacek.com/
- TRACKLIST
1 I Don't Know 4:35
2 Porcelain 3:59
3 Circa 1954 2:12
4 Strawberry Glue 3:32
5 Beta Male 6:20
6 NK 6:54
7 Ultra Vivid 4:14
8 She's A Cult 4:21
9 There's A Little Passing Cloud In You 6:55
10 Airportism 2:06
Total Playtime: 45:08
Formed in Berlin but now residing in London, Rhys Edwards and Rhys Williams
aka 'Ulrika Spacek' began their tentative first steps in what would be a two
year journey to finish their debut album entitled 'The Album Paranoia' back
in 2014. Employing the help of three skilled musicians & friends they
embarked on sonic journey that would reap them immense rewards. With a sound
that swerves between alt-rock & krautrock whilst taking a trip through
downright fuzzed up lo-fi brilliance, 'Ulrika Spacek' create hazy impressive
soundscapes that are sonically worthy of your ears. 'The Album Paranoia' was
officially released via 'Tough Love Records (EU) & LEFSE Records (USA) back
on the 5th February 2016.
The album opens up with 'I Don't Know', a fuzzy swirling triumphant track
that loops & arcs through addictive reverberating guitars intertwined with
glorious psych tinged effects and a steadying drum progression that holds
that stunning vocal aloft like a king sitting atop a mountain of golden
sound. Track two, 'Porcelain' oozes alt-rock splendour with whirling
repetitive guitars and another impressive vocal performance. 'Circa 1954'
lives in a beautiful shimmering experimental ambient world while 'Strawberry
Glue' jangles & struts like a sonic peacock before opening up into a glorious
fuzzy alternative masterpiece. Track five, 'Beta Male' stands up there with
some of the great modern day psych tracks. Reminiscent at times of 'Fuzz Club
Records' own 'Throw Down Bones' with its hypnotic swirling maelstrom of sound
that builds into a fuzzy multifaceted sonic whirlwind. 'Beta Male' is
probably my favourite track on this entire release. Very cool! Up next,'NK'
is a slow but sludgy psych tinged monster with a lazy 'Sub Pop' styled
effected vocal line and a very impressive break that builds & builds forever.
We're back on a subtle alt-rock vibe with 'Ultra-Vivid'. This track is full
of melodic melancholy with beautifully intricate guitar lines, gorgeous synth
swells and an effortlessly striped back vocal take. 'She's A Cult' screams
'Radiohead' from its very first distorted chord structure while 'There's A
Little Passing Cloud In You' shakes the sonic ether with is psychedelic
flavourings dripping with repetitive guitars, throbbing bass line & a
brilliant drum progression that collectively leads us into a false sense of
security before opening up & exploding into a massive cacophony of sound.
The albums closer 'Airportism' is reminiscent of latter day 'Radiohead' with
its beautifully delicate vocal lines accompanied by that addictively melodic
guitar progression and a lazy drum pattern. A perfect finale to an overall
impressive debut album. Recommended listening for fans of MBV, Television,
Pavement, Sonic Youth, Radiohead & Deerhunter.
*
One night in Berlin: that's all it took for Rhys Edwards and Rhys Williams to
form and conceptualise Ulrika Spacek and decide on the title æThe Album
Paranoia'. Reinforced by three further members during recording back in
London, their debut LP is an immense experience.
Whilst their cited influences of Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine and
Deerhunter are apparent on the likes of æStrawberry Glue' and lead single and
liveliest number æShe's A Cult', the reminiscences which emerge throughout
the album are just as satisfying and commendable. Opener æI Don't Know' is
rich in intense Hookworms fuzz, whilst æAirportism' makes for a fleeting yet
nostalgic finale with its echoes of some of Radiohead's most subdued moments.
But no matter what influences and likenesses they contain, all ten tracks are
bound by one thing: an otherworldly ambience. æThe Album Paranoia' takes the
listener on a mind-altering journey through Ulrika Spacek's supernatural
soundscape, through a maze of guitars that drone menacingly and chime
harmoniously û often together. Even if the end of the record affords an exit
from the maze, the temptation to return and get lost in it time and time
again may just prove too much. Indeed, there are moments such as ominous epic
æBeta Male' where the urge to hit repeat is almost overwhelming.
Worth a mention is the fact that Ulrika Spacek collect old TVs which they
"hope will become wormholes". It's an apt wish, for æThe Album Paranoia'
could so easily serve as the soundtrack to a trip through space-time.
-=- SHGZ -=-
P.S.
** Thanks ***
*** BCC FNT IPC SSR ***
*** For Knowing Where The Music Is At ***
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* NuHS we miss you! *
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