Essential shoegaze Albums

Although the new My Bloody Valentine album came out over a month ago, it’s safe to say that plenty of people are still listening to it. In many ways, it’s brought back the spotlight to the rock subgenre that’s basically been ignored since 1993 or so: shoegaze.  The name “shoegaze” originally referred to how the members of bands that sounded a particular way would just stand still and look at their shoes, and while that isn’t really applicable, shoegaze music certainly has a very distinctive sound just waves and waves of sound with melodies (and often the vocals) buried underneath.  Anyone that’s listened to a My Bloody Valentine/Ride/Slowdive album knows that I’m talking about.  Anyways, without further ado here are what I consider to be the essential shoegaze albums for anyone who likes the genre or is trying to get into it.

1. Loveless - My Bloody Valentine

One of those albums that is just as good as everyone says it is, Loveless is without the seminal shoegaze album of all time and  is justly regarded not just as one of the best shoegaze albums ever, but simply as one of the greatest albums of all time. Every fan of music owes it to themselves to listen to this album at some point in their lives.

Favorite Tracks: “Only Shallow,” “When You Sleep,” “Soon”

2. Nowhere - Ride (album cover pictured above)

The consensus 2nd best shoegaze of all time as it were, Nowhere is much more self-consciously epic than Loveless with soaring guitar lines and pounding drums and much clearer vocals as well.  Although the album is much more pop-oriented than Loveless (and is much accessible than Loveless because of that), the album is by no means shallow or simple and is one that’ll definitely grow on you with multiple listens.

Favorite Tracks: “Dreams Burn Down,” “Vapour Trail,” “Here and Now”

3. In the Presence of Nothing - Lilys

Released during the genre’s heyday in the early 90′s, In the Presence to Nothing is the sequel to Loveless in some alternate timeline somewhere.  Although no one has ever really figured out Kevin Shields’ (MBV songwriter) formula Lilys bandleader Kurt Heasley came the closest releasing his one truly shoegaze album when he was only 21.  Although the album is the most clearly influenced by My Bloody Valentine of any other great shoegaze album, Heasley does enough things different to make the album more than stand on its own as a great piece of music. The closing track “Claire Hates Me” might be the best song the genre ever produced.

Favorite Tracks: “There’s No Such Thing as Black Orchids,” “Threw a Day,” “Claire Hates Me”

4. Whirlpool - Chapterhouse

Probably the most accessible of any of the albums on this list, Chapterhouse was the most unabashedly poppy of any of the great shoegaze bands of the time, and in fact the lead single from this album “Pearl” actually made it into the Billboard U.S. Modern Rock Top 10.  For anyone looking to get into shoegaze this album (especially the song “Breather”) is a great place to start.

Favorite Tracks: “Breather,” “Pearl,”  ”Falling Down”

5. Cryptograms - Deerhunter

One of the few albums on this list to come out in the 21st century, Cryptograms was Deerhunter’s 1st great album and the only true shoegaze album they ever released, although every album they’ve made since has been even better.  One of the more inaccessible albums on this list, it can only be truly appreciated once someone is a real shoegaze fan.

Favorite Tracks: “Cryptograms,” “Spring Hall Convert,” “Hazel St.”

6. Souvlaki - Slowdive

More dream-pop than shoegaze, this band is generally considered to be one of the best shoegaze bands of all time and indeed one of the most influential bands of the 90s.  Souvlaki is the best album Slowdive ever produced and would rank higher on this list if  these albums were ranked by how good they are, rather than how essential they are to the shoegaze album as a whole. Nevertheless, this is a great album.

Favorite Tracks: “Alison,” “Here She Comes,” “Souvlaki Space Station,” “When the Sun Hits”