Vibrato 20

"... a more wretched hive of scum and villainy..."

Unlike Obi-Wan Kenobi, I am referring to the pustulant sore that is the capitol of this once-great nation. Outside the halls of power, of course, the people of Washington D.C. and the surrounding area are probably no better and no worse than those found in any other part of the world.
One thing of which I am certain, however, is that they certainly have been putting out some good music in the greater D.C. area. Although part of the scene, bands like Ceremony and Screen Vinyl Image will not be included here, as they have already been used to represent Virginia. Even without them, there was still no difficulty in finding ten bands to use in this compilation. ~~NWshoegazer

1. Lake Trout - Peel (Rx) from the 2005 release "Not Them, You"
2. Velocity Girl - Sorry Again (Sub Pop) from the out of print 1994 "Sorry Again" EP
3. Alcian Blue - Night Sky (Elephant Stone) from the band's 2006 self-titled and final full-length release
4. Beach House - Apple Orchard (Carpark) from the self-titled 2006 release
5. Phaser - Life and Illusion (Emperor Norton) from the 2003 release "Sway"
6. The Sky Drops - Green to Red (Fridabear) from the 2006 "Clouds of People" EP
7. (The Sounds Of) Kaleidoscope - New Language (Hackshop) from the 2006 release "From Where You Were to How You Got There"
8. Thrushes - Aidan Quinn (Birdnote) from the 2007 release "Sun Come Undone"
9. Dead Meadow - Such Hawks Such Hounds (Matador) from the 2005 release "Feathers" ~~ some good, old-fashioned Psychedelica
10. Black Tambourines - Throw Aggi off the Bridge (Slumberland) from the 1999 release "Complete Recordings" ~~ what a shame that this one CD can hold all the music this band produced, and do it with room to spare


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Vibrato 19

Cover Songs

1. Lunasect - Fascination Street [The Cure] from the out of print 2000 release "Long Lost"
2. The Lassie Foundation - Inside Out [The Mighty Lemon Drops] from the second disc of the 2006 Northern Records compilation "Through and Through"
3. The Mighty Lemon Drops - Splash #3 (Now I'm Home) [13th Floor Elevators] from the 1997 Chrysalis Records compilation "Rollercoaster"
4. Japancakes - Loomer [My Bloody Valentine] from the 2007 Darla release "Loveless" ~~I bought my copy from the iTunes Music Store and found it to be a major disappointment (I've included one of the shorter and least objectionable songs). I know that somebody is bound to like this CD, but I think there is a good reason why Shoegazing bands use effects pedals rather than pedal-steel guitars.
5. Mira - When You Sleep [My Bloody Valentine] from the self-titled 2000 Projekt release
6. Galaxie 500 - Listen, the Snow is Falling [Yoko Ono] from the out of print 1990 Rough Trade Records release "This is Our Music"
7. Chapterhouse - Rain [The Beatles] from the first disc of the out of print 1996 Dedicated release "Rownderbowt"
8. The Prids - Motor Away [Guided by Voices] from the 2007 Five03 "Something Difficult" EP
9. Seven Percent Solution - Oh Yeah [Can] from the 1998 Lone Starfighter Records special edition release "Gabriel's Walz"
10. Loop - Mother Sky [Can] from the out of print 1989 Chapter 22 release "Fade Out"


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Vibrato 18

If At First You Don't Secede EP

The four states represented in this compilation withdrew from The Union after the seven states with whom they then joined to form the Confederate States of America. ~~NWshoegazer

1. The Friendly Friends - Wheelchair (unreleased)
2. Frally - Picture of Me (unreleased)
3. *Sons - F Train (Fractured Discs) from the 2007 release "Viracochas"
4. Celebrity - They Notice (Doghouse) from the 2006 release "Mining For Twilight"
5. Screen Vinyl Image - Chaser (Safranin Sound) from the brand new "Chaser" EP
6. Ceremony - Miss You (Safranin Sound) from the newly released "Disappear"
7. The Leaky Diamond - Darlin' Bambi (unreleased) ~~I'd like to hear what he could do in a real studio
8. Skywave - Walk My Way (Cherry Coated) from the out of print 2002 "Don't Say Slow" EP


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Vibrato 17

Rebel Reverb EP

Songs from six of the first seven states to secede from The Union (if there's any shoegazing going on in Mississippi, I couldn't find it). ~~NWshoegazer


1. Lunasect - Without You All I Am is a Lie (Louipimps) from the out of print 2002 release "Points of Departure"
2. The Horrid Lorries - December Morning (self-released) from the 2007 release "Hearts in Flight"
3. Belong - I Never Lose, Never Really (Carpark) from the 2006 release "October Language"
4. The Linear High - Clear as Broken Glass (not yet revealed) from the soon to be released "Lights & Obstacles" ~~I'm looking forward to this one
5. The Kiwis - Mexico (Die Slaughterhaus) from the out of print 2003 release "Beware of Falling Rock" ~~
6.Lesbian Afternoon - See the New Arrival (Vacant Moon) unreleased as far as I can tell
7. Ou·tré Violette - Fools Paradise (unreleased) ~~Alex of Boy's other band
8. Pre Atomic Rituals - Push Comes to Shove (Sleepaway) from the extremely limited 2007 release "Fortress Vol2" ~~or it might be on the soon to be released "Fortress Vol1" - who can tell?


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Vibrato 16

Shoegators Alligazing

Ten songs from Florida-based bands (well, The Human Echo have relocated to Seattle). All songs are from the artist's MySpace pages; follow the links and see what each is up to and what merchandise they have to sell. ~~NWshoegazer


1. Hope in Ghosts - Snowfall Fell (Actually) from the 2007 release "All Your Departures"
2. Giddy-Up, Helicopter! - Lucas Alexander (self-released) from the not yet released "It's Not a Monster" - the 2007 release "I Am Secretary" is available to order
3. Vera Violets - Lights Out (Daydream Delay) from the 2005 "Last Kiss" EP ~~I wish I could find a copy, but I do own (and you should too) the 2005 release "Sunshine Dust"
4. The Human Echo - Twilight Shower (Spiral Box) from the 2006 release "Carried On by Voices in a Song"
5. Mira - Window Seat (Projekt) from the 2005 release "There I Go Daydreamer"
6. Boy - Train to Mansfield (unreleased)
7. Fantome - Pretty Boys (Soulow) not yet released
8. Space/Love/Robots - Space Girl Love Burst (unreleased)
9. Autumn's Grey Solace - Treasure Box (Projekt) from the 2006 release "Shades Of Grey"
10. Candy Bars - Lovesong Lake (New Granada) from their 2006 debut release "On Cutting Ti-Gers in Half and Understanding Narravation"


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Vibrato 15

'gazing at the Rising Sun EP

One hears that there is a serious Shoegazing movement in Japan. Well, after a quick tour around MySpace, I am happy to report that this does, indeed, seem to be the case.

Having recently been reminded of a Japanese band I really like: My Dead Girlfriend, I decided to have another look at MySpace to see what else I could find. The length of this playlist is not an indication of just how much good music is being produced in the Land of the Rising Sun; it is, rather, the result of my decision to leave out any songs from the usual suspects--even though I found a great song by Cruyff in the Bedroom I was tempted to use.

Another reason for the brevity of the playlist is the annoying habbit several bands have of fading out songs--that are obviously still going strong--at around the three minute mark. I know they are trying to avoid having their music stolen, so I can't really blame them, but what is the point of letting us hear snippets of great songs that we can't hope to find for sale at a reasonable price?

If not for the fade-outs, I would have added songs by Maimaiscripting, Sphere, and especially Mash (check out their MySpace page; I would buy all of their CDs if I didn't have to pay "Japanese Import" prices). Wouldn't it be nice if ToneVendor would open a West Coast office? ~~NWshoegazer


1. Boyfriend's Dead - Melting Ice Cream
2. Urokoroa - Sinkuunokazi
3. Salt Water Taffy - KMS (Miles)
4. Burrrn - Sweet Breath
5. Texas Pandaa - Jade
6. My Dead Girlfriend - Miss Katejina
7. Syojoskip - Azami


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Vibrato 14

"Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig"

The title is a quote from one of my all-time favorite films, the final cut of which premiers in several cinemas (including Cinema 21 in Portland) tonight. In honor of this occaison, I have assembled songs from fifteen locations which at one point or another I have called home (sometimes the location is exact, at other times merely in the vicinity). The songs are presented in the chronological order of my residence in each place and begins with my birth in the greater Los Angeles area (though not in 2019).
All the songs are or have been available on each artist's MySpace page. Follow the links to these pages and you will usually be informed about the availability and method of ordering CDs and other merchandise for sale by the artists. ~~NWshoegazer


1. Los Angeles: The Warlocks - So Paranoid from the just released "Heavy Deavy Skull Lover" (Tee Pee)
2. San Diego: Ilya - Baalbec from the 2006 release "Leaving Sans-Souci" (self-released)
3. Abington, Pennsylvania: Sunsplit - Running After You from the digital-only "Sing for Sunday"
4. Heidelberg: Etheruncool - Lebe Lieber Schwer from the 2006 "Noch Weiter Weg Von Uns" EP (Tumbleweed)
5. Tacoma: Kinski - Punching Goodbye Out from the 2007 release "Down Below It's Chaos" (Sub Pop)
6. Fayetteville, North Carolina: Glissade - Burned in Blue from the 2006 "Burned in Blue" EP (self-released)
7. Florence, Alabama: Lunasect - Next Exit from the 2002 release "Points of Departure" (Louipimps)
8. Denver: A Shoreline Dream - Projections from the 2006 "EP" EP (Latenight)
9. Marysville, California: Fleeting Joys - LightsUnderground not yet released
10. Kolding: The Raveonettes - Blush from the upcoming release "Lust Lust Lust" (Fierce Panda) ~~what a great song; I'd love to hear them do more like this
11. Salt Lake City: Dulce Sky - La Huida from the 2006 release "Lands" (Eden's Watchtower)
12. San Jose: LSD and the Search for God - Backwards from the 2007 self-titled release (Mind Expansion)
13. Bridgend: The Voices - The Sound of Young America from the 2007 release "The Sound of Young America" (My Kung Fu)
14. Manchester: Palo Alto - Catalan from the 2003 "Wades Into Water" EP (Valentine)
15. Portland, Oregon: The High Violets - Chinese Letter [Ulrich Schnauss Mix] from the soon to be released "Satellite Remixes" (Reverb)


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Vibrato 13

Triscadecaphonia: The Sound of 13 (cover songs, that is)

Triscadecaphobia is a clinical term for that strange superstition: the fear that the number 13 is somehow unlucky, but there is nothing to be afraid of here (unless, of course, you don't like cover songs). Hopefully, you'll forgive me for straying from a strictly (and, at times, even a loosely) shoegazing lineup.
~~NWshoegazer


1. Lotte Kestner - Falling out of Love [6ths] unreleased ~~I'm not sure if she will include this on her forthcoming solo release due later this year, but I hope so (BTW a new Trespassers William CD is supposed to be out in spring 2008)
2. Siddhartha - Holiday [Madonna] from the soon to be released "Through the Wilderness: Tribute to Madonna" (Manimal Vinyl)
3. Patti Smith - When Doves Cry [Prince] from the first disc of the 2002 release "Land (1975-2002)" (Arista)
4. Sinéad O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U [Prince] from the 1990 release "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" (Capitol)
5. Dead Can Dance - I am Stretched on Your Grave [Sinéad O'Connor] from the 1994 release "Toward the Within" (4AD)
6. Ride - Severance [Dead Can Dance] from the out of print 2003 release "Waves" (BBC)
7. Hostage Juliet - Sennen [Ride] unreleased
8. This Mortal Coil - Strength of Strings [Gene Clark] from the 1998 release "Filigree & Shadow" (4AD)
9. Damon & Naomi - Song to the Siren [Tim Buckley] from the 2002 release "Song to the Siren" (Sub Pop)
10. Lunasect - Some Are [Brian Eno/David Bowie] unreleased
11. Malory - Lord of the Rings [Bilbo Baggins] from the out of print 1999 release "Not Here - Not Now" (Soundfile Studio) ~~I would guess that some kind of legal hassle prevented this song from being included on the re-issues
12. Slowdive - Some Velvet Morning [Lee Hazelwood] from the second disc of the 2005 re-issue of "Souvlaki" (Castle)
13. Shallow - I Love You [Pete Kember] from the out of print 1996 "CD Laser Lens Cleaner" EP (Zero Hour)


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Vibrato 12

Going Abroad

Taking a break from touring the U.S., these ten songs are all from other countries. Three of the middle songs are by members of what could be considered the first family of Shoegazing. Here's a hint: in February 2008, Rhino will release a 4CD Box Set called "The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities"--a collection of songs from a seminal Shoegazing band which has featured the talents of these three siblings.
--NWshoegazer


1. Pia Fraus - Pretend to be Here (Seksound) from the 2006 release "Nature Heart Software"
2. The Morning After Girls - Shadows Evolve (Best Before) from the 2005 release "Shadows Evolve"
3. The Ecstacy of Saint Theresa - Alpha Centauri (Rev-Ola) from the 2004 compilation "Thirteen Years in Noises"
4. Lazycame - Mcintoshlost (Hall of Records) from the 2001 release "Finbegin"
5. Sister Vanilla - K to be Last (Chemikal Underground) from the 2007 re-issue of "Little Pop Rock"
6. Freeheat - Shine On Little Star (Outafocus) from the out of print 2001 "Retox" EP
7. Malory - Wake Up (Supermodern) from the 2006 release "The Third Face"
8. The Lovetones - Alone (Tee Pee) from the 2007 release "Axiom"
9. Rumskib - Springtime (Darla) from the self-titled 2007 release
10. Resplandor - Driade (Ninfa Version) (ToneVendor) from the 2005 re-issue of "Elipse"


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Vibrato 11

Son of Psyclones or Twister the Night Away

Fifteen more songs from the Mid-West. Enjoy. --NWshoegazer


1. Early Day Miners - All Harm (Secretly Canadian) from the 2005 release "All Harm Ends Here"
2. Airiel - Peoria (Highwheel) from the 2007 release "The Battle of Sealand"
3. Hostage Juliet - Kills the Mind (unreleased)
4. Shallow - I Wonder [Sonicwonderglyde Mix] (Zero Hour) from the out of print 1996 "CD Laser Lens Cleaner" EP
5. The Appleseed Cast - Signal (Deep Elm) from the out of print 2001 release "Low Level Owl: Volume 1"
6. Ester Drang - All the Feeling (Jade Tree) from the 2003 release "Infinite Keys"
7. L'altra - Better Than Bleeding (Hefty) from the 2005 release "Different Days"
8. Billy Corgan - Walking Shade (Reprise) from the 2005 release "TheFutureEmbrace"
9. Velour 100 - Bittersweet (Tooth & Nail) from the 1997 release "Of Color Bright"
10. Polara - Can't Get Over You (Susstones) from the 2002 release "Jetpack Blues"
11. Dykehouse - Lost Holiday (Ghostly International) from the 2004 release "Midrange"
12. Mahogany - Soleil Redieux (Darla) from the 2001 release "The Dream of a Modern Day"
13. The Greenhornes - I'm Going Away (V2) from the 2005 "East Grand Blues" EP
14. E for Explosion - Antarctica (self-released) from the 2007 "Paper Flowers" EP --apparently, the EP is only available for purchase at their shows; they come to Portland on the 23rd
15. Azure Ray - No Signs of Pain (Saddle Creek) from the 2002 "November" EP


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Vibrato 10

Psyclones of Sound

Music from the Great Plains and Greats Lakes areas of the US. That's a lot of territory, so I'm sure to have missed some good stuff. Coming from what is often called the Heartland, it is not surprising that some of the songs have a distinctly American feel to them. --NWshoegazer

1. Jessica Bailiff - If We Could (Kranky) from the 2006 release "Feels Like Home"
2. The Violettes - Blue Hearted Fool (self-released) from the self-titled 2004 release
3. For Against - Stranded in Greenland (Words on Music) from the 2005 re-issue (with bonus videos) of the 1988 release "December"
4. Stella Mora - Daguerreotype (not yet released) --Someone needs to sign this band
5. Oblisk - Ancestors (not yet released)
6. STAR - Blonde Sound (not yet released) from something to be released soon, hopefully. In the meantime, if you don't own "Devastator", you should; it is one of my favorite CDs from 2007 --The way that Shannon Roberts' solo projects remind me of Lori Carson makes me wonder if STAR might not be the answer to the question: what might The Golden Palominos have sounded like had they dabbled in Shoegazing?
7. Rainer Maria - Burn (Grunion) from the 2006 release "Catastrophe Keeps Us Together" --I am sorry to hear that these guys are no longer together, especially since I missed their last show in Portland because the venue that booked them has a crap reputation
8. Lab Partners - Tidal Wave (Reverb) from the 2005 release "Wicked Branches"
9. Ether Aura - I Wasn't Her (not yet released) from the forthcoming "Semblance" EP --They seem to be moving away from Shoegazing, but still sound great; plenty of Goth-tinged Shoegazing on the 2005 and 2007 releases "Crash" and "Before We Could Sing"
10. The Emerald Down - Sometimes the Sun Shines (Honest in Secret) from the criminially out of print 2002 "Aquarium" EP --How a band this good could spend their days toiling in obscurity before sinking into oblivion is beyond me.


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Vibrato 09

Again, no theme, just the usual disclaimer: in most cases, better songs are to be found on the CDs from which each song was taken. --NWshoegazer

1. Scut - This Thinly Veiled Metaphor (Alison) from the 2007 release "This Is How It Feels When You Stumble" I bought my copy from ToneVendor, but they must be out of stock
2. Lowsunday - For a Moment [Goodbye Mix] (Projekt) from the 2007 compilation "200" which celebrates the twenty-plus year history and 199 previous releases of this important and esteemed indie label. This 3-disc collection also includes previously unreleased tracks from Tearwave and Lovespirals
3. The Brother Kite - Out of Sight (Clairecords) from the 2006 "Waiting for the Time to Be Right"
4. A Cloud Mireya - Bliss in Seclusion (Eastern Developments) from the 2006 release "Singular"
5. [The] Caseworker - Three Thousand Feet Below (Manifesto) from the 2003 release "These Weeks Should Be Remembered"
6. Jeniferever - The Sound of Beating Wings (Drowned in Sound) from the 2006 release "Choose a Bright Morning"
7. SPC ECO - See You Soon (unreleased) If you loved Curve...
8. Film School - Sick Hipster Murdered by Suicide Girl (Beggars Banquet) from the 2007 release "Hideout"
9. Ghost of the Russian Empire - Mandroid (self-released) from the self-titled 2007 EP
10. Trespassers William - More Past (self-released) from the 2007 "Noble House EP"


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Vibrato 08

No theme or bad puns this time. I can no longer reach the Internet from the comfort of my flat, which is probably just as well, as the recent purchase of both a bicycle and a new iMac has left me short of disposable income. No disposable income, no new CDs. So, my Shoegazing journey around the States is on hold for the moment, but I hope to get back to it soon, as I have some really bad titles I'm dying to use. --NWshoegazer


1. Astreal - With Child (Wallwork) from the 2006 release "Fragments of the Same Dead Star"
2. (The Sounds Of) Kaleidoscope - Suite-T (Hackshop) from the 2006 release "From Where You Were to How You Got There"
3. Sennen - Opened Up My Arms (Hungry Audio) from the 2005 release "Widows"
4. Heliconia - Loose Ends (Isolation) from the self-titled 2006 release
5. Jets Overhead - Bridges (Microgroove) from the 2005 release "Bridges"
6. Lab Partners - It's How You Feel (Reverb) from the 2005 release "Wicked Branches"
7. Twigs - Phantonemesis (Endearing) from the 2001 release "Epicure"
8. Darker My Love - Helium Heels (Dangerbird) from the self-titled 2006 release
9. Mahogany - My Bed Is My Castle (Darla) --features the voice of Lucy Belle Guthrie from the 2006 release "'Connectivity!'"
10. The Meeting Places - Sink into Stone (Words on Music) from the 2006 release "Numbered Days"
11. Viva Voce - Bent (Cadence) from the out of print 1998 release "Hooray for Now"
12. Silver Screen - Something to Prove (Clairecords) from the 2005 release "The Greatest Story Never Told"
13. The Charade - September (Skipping Stones) from the 2006 release "A Real Life Drama"
14. Swoon - Time and Time Again (Kitty Litter) from the 2006 "Everlast EP" --after putting out two excellent EPs in 2006 (both out of print), I am disappointed that this Swedish band has not released anything in 2007
15. The Year Zero - The Truth About Stars (Skipping Stones) from the 2006 release "Oceania, I Will Return" --it is worth getting this CD just for the gorgeous Moon Viewing Parties


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Vibrato 07

Play on Words (Other People's)

I think cover songs are like puns in several respects. One thing the two seem to have in common is that people either appreciate and enjoy them or they hate them. I'm hoping that you are to be found in the former category, as I have put together a two CD compilation of cover songs for your listening pleasure. --NWshoegazer

DISC 1
1. Chapterhouse - Losing Touch With My Mind [Spacemen 3] from the second disc of the out of print 1996 Slumberland compilation "Rownderbowt"
2. Th' Faith Healers - Mother Sky [Can] from the out of print 1992 Elektra release "Lido"
3. Moose - Everybody's Talking [Glen Campbell] from the out of print 1992 Hut release "...xyz"
4. Drop Nineteens - Angel [Madonna] from the out of print 1992 Caroline release "Delaware"
5. Bleach - Relax [Frankie Goes to Hollywood] from the out of print 1993 Musidisc "Fast" EP
6. Spirea X - Signed D.C. [Arthur Lee] from the out of print 1992 4AD release "Fireblade Skies"
7. Loop - Rocket USA [Suicide] the first of three bonus tracks on the out of print 1987 Head release "Heaven's End"
8. The Charlottes - Venus [Frankie Avalon] from the 1991 Cherry Red release "Things Come Apart"
9. The Flatmates - If Not for You [Bob Dylan] from the 2005 Cherry Red compilation "Potpourri {Hits, Mixes and Demos '85-'89}"
10. The Dandy Warhols - Stars [The Brian Jonestown Massacre] from the second disc of the 2004 self-released "The Black Album/Come On Feel the Dandy Warhols"
11. The Primitives - As Tears Go By [The Rolling Stones] from the 2006 Castle Music compilation "Buzz Buzz Buzz" Buy Here --the original version of this song was playing when, for the first time, I danced with a girl of my own volition. This, in turn, led to my first kiss, so this song occupies a special place in my memory.
12. The Boo Radleys - Boo! Faith [New Order] from the 2001 Pinnacle re-issue of "Learning to Walk"
13. Curve - I Feel Love [Donna Summer] from the out of print 2004 BMG UK & Ireland release "The Way of Curve" --my alias at the time, Tao Jones, can be found near the middle of the fourth column of fan names listed in the last pages of the booklet.
14. Spacemen 3 - Any Way That You Want Me [The Troggs] from the second disc of the 2003 Space Age/Orbit release "Playing With Fire"
15. Luna - Bonnie and Clyde (The Bonnie Parker Version) [Serge Gainsbourg] a duet in French featuring the voice of Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier from the out of print 1995 Beggars Banquet "Bonnie and Clyde/Chinatown" EP

DISC 2
1. Tam - No Cars Go [Arcade Fire] from the 2006 self-titled release on Ecstatic Peace
2. Fleeting Joys - Masters of War [Bob Dylan] unreleased
3. Garlands - Being Boiled [The Human League] from the 2001 3D compilation "Reproductions: Songs of the Human League"
4. Bardo Pond - Cry Baby Cry [The Beatles] from the 2007 ATP release "Ticket Crystals"
5. Jim Reid - And Your Bird Can Sing [The Beatles] from the compilation "Revolver Reloaded" included with the July 2006 issue of Mojo magazine
6. Manual - Blue Skied An' Clear [Slowdive] from the first disc of the 2002 MORR compilation "Blue Skied An' Clear"
7. Jessica Bailiff - Down [Low] from the 2004 Fractured Disc compilation "We Could Live In Hope: A Tribute to Low"
8. Dump - Rasberry Beret [Prince] from the 2001 Shrimper release "That Skinny Motherf*cker With the High Voice?" --Yo La Tengo's bassist (most of the time) does an entire CD of Prince covers. Good luck finding a cheap copy, however; I didn't even know it existed until a friend loaned it to me--thanks Dan.
9. Lake Trout - Street Fighting Man [The Rolling Stones] from the 2005 Palm Pictures/Rx release "Not Them, You"
10. Heather Duby - Love Is a Battlefield [Pat Benatar] from the 2006 self-titled release on Sonic Boom
11. Televise - Mercy Seat [Ultra Vivid Scene] from the 2006 Club AC30 release "Songs to Sing in A & E"
12. Diesel Park West - All Come to Meet Her [Alexander "Skip" Spence] from the 1999 Birdman compilation "More Oar: A Tribute to the Skip Spence Album"
13. Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane [The Velvet Underground] from the 1990 RCA release "The Trinity Session"
14. Future 3 - Alison [Slowdive] from the first disc of the 2002 MORR compilation "Blue Skied An' Clear"
15. Lotte Kestner - Leif Erikson [Interpol] an unmastered version of the song the singer from Trespassers William has promised to include on her upcoming solo release. The original is my favorite Interpol song and quite possibly the finest last song to be found on any CD.


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Vibrato 06

L'Austin Space

Heh, heh. Sorry about that; I don't know what got into me. Perhaps it was all the tabloids I was exposed to while living in the UK (see, that's the great thing about being an American: I don't have to take responsibility for my actions--there is always someone or something else to blame).
In any case, as you may have guessed, this collection of ten songs features bands from the Austin, Texas area. The home of Psychedelia's 13th Floor Elevators, Austin seems to have been late in discovering Shoegazing--only Sixteen Deluxe were active in the 90's, but the city is rapidly catching up in terms of both quantity and quality. I did have to leave out one promising newcomer, The Linear High, because they have not yet released a CD and the poor quality of the streaming files from their MySpace page rendered their songs unusable.
As usual, better songs await the listener on CD.
--NWshoegazer

1. I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Last Ride Together (Secretly Canadian) from the 2006 release "Fear is on Our Side"

2. The Black Angels - The Sniper at the Gates of Heaven (Light in the Attic) from the 2006 release "Passover"

3. For Those Who Know - Night at the Danceclub (Christmas Mountain) from the 2005 "For Those Who Know" EP

4. All in the Golden Afternoon - Tidal Wave (Mind Expansion) from a soon to be released "All in the Golden Afternoon" EP

5. The Paper South - Caught Leaving the Scene of the Accident (self-released) from their debut EP. All six songs are available for legal download or you can contact the band and request a copy of the EP be sent to you

6. Ghost of the Russian Empire - Psychomedicated (Thirty Ghosts) from the 2006 "With Fiercest Demolition" EP

7. Sixteen Deluxe - Apronstrings (Trance Syndicate) from the out of print 1995 release "Backfeed Magnetbabe" available used

8. Experimental Aircraft - Ghost Train (Graveface) from the out of print 1999 release "Experimental Aircraft" contact the band for CD-R copies

9. Sound Team - You've Never Lived a Day (Capitol) from the 2006 release "Movie Monster"

10. She, Sir - Prairie Burn (She, Sir) from the 2007 "Who Can't Say Yes"


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Vibrato 05

Rocky Mountain High-Tops

With the exception of mid-90's Arizona and present-day Colorado, the Rocky Mountain states don't seem to be a hot-bed of Shoegazing. This compilation features songs by four Phoenix, Arizona Beautiful Noise Festival alumni, three Colorado bands, two more from Utah, and one from New Mexico. A fourth Colorado band, A Shoreline Dream, has been featured in previous Tremelo and Vibrato compilations, while New Mexico's Henry's Dress enjoyed their fifteen minutes in California's Bay Area. Built to Spill was the closest I got to finding a Shoegazing band from Idaho; Montana, on the other hand, seems almost to be bereft of music of any kind.

1. Henry's Dress - All This Time For Nothing (Slumberland)
from the out of print 1995 release "Bust 'em Green"

2. Half String - Momentum (Independant Project)
from the out of print 1996 release "A Fascination with Heights"

3. Supra-Argo - Die Aphrodite (Tantalus)
from the out of print 1997 release "Silveresque"

4. Bright Channel - Howler (Flight Approved)
from the 2006 release "Self-Propelled"

5. The Echo People - Incapacitating (self-released)
from the 2006 "Inside" EP

6. Moccasin - Ezra's Ghost (self-released)
from the 2006 release "Last Leaf"

7. Allison's Halo - Sunshy (Burnt Hair)
from the out of print 1997 compilation "Eyedazzler 1992-1996"

8. Dulce Sky - I Dreamt of You (Eden's Watchtower)
from the 2006 release "Lands"

9. Volplane - Mirror (Flight Approved)
from the 2006 compilation "Volplane 1997-1999"

10. Lovesliescrushing - Youreyesimmaculate (Projekt)
from the 1994 release "Bloweyelashwish"


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Vibrato 04

'Gazing Up and Down the Pacific Coast Highway

This week, we take a virtual trip up and down the western shore of the United States and sample five songs each from Seattle as well as Northern and Southern California. All songs were taken from the artists' MySpace pages.
One band, The Slow Club, apparently disbanded without releasing any CDs (if anyone has news to the contrary, please let me know; I'd like to buy something from these guys).
--NWshoegazer


1. Sky Cries Mary - Rainfall (HoodooH)
from the 2007 release "Small Town"

2. The Otherside - Dirty Devil (self-released)
from the out of print "Something Else Right Now" EP. Their self-titled full-length can be had for $6 (shipping included)

3. Sky Parade - Free My Love (Sky Parade)
from the 2007 release "Love is Forever"

4. Black Nite Crash - Soft Focus
not yet released

5. the Stars Misplaced - Prophets and Kings
not yet released

6. The Slow Club - Keep It Cool
never released?

7. Blue Light Curtain - Sleeping (BLCMusic)
from the 2006 "EP" EP

8. August Bodies - Golden Dream
not yet released

9. Tears Run Rings - Beautiful Stranger [demo] (Disaster Club)
not yet released, but the 2007 "A Question and an Answer" EP is available

10. Voyager One - The Future is Obsolete
from the soon to be released "Afterhours in the Afterlife". A new single, "Bed Of Sound", is available

11. Fleeting Joys - LightsUnderground (Only Forever)
not yet released, but make sure you own a copy of "Despondent Transponder"

12. The Warlocks - Isolation (Bomp)
from the vinyl-only "Isolation / Red Camera" single

13. C'est la Mort - Stand Fast
not yet released

14. Halcyon High - Close Your Eyes, See the Light (Vibraphone)
not yet released

15. In Waves - A Walk [demo] (Henry)
not yet released


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Vibrato 03

Shoegazing on the Willamette

I am not a Portland native and do not pretend to know the history or full scope of the local Shoegazing scene, but in this compilation, I have included ten slices of what I have discovered since moving here.
I do know that Portland is home to several indie labels, one of which is particularly worth noting. Reverb Records currently has only four bands signed: Drakes Hotel, The High Violets, Lab Partners, and The Upsidedown, but all four are very good. Lab Partners are not present on this compilation only because they are neither from nor currently residing in Portland, but I do recommend checking them out. If you order from Reverb, be sure to pick up the three, free compilation CDs from the sadly defunct NW Shoegazers Ball: NW SHOEGAZERBLISS, IN A DIFFERENT PLACE, and THE FUZZY BALL.
Portland also has a music mail-order establishment of some renown. At CD Baby, one can find--among many others--CDs by Charmparticles, Nordic, The Prids, and Saturna.
Once again, I have, in most cases, deliberately avoided using the best songs from the sampled artists and CDs. So, if you find a song here that you like, chances are you will also like the CD from which it was taken.

-- NWshoegazer


1. Swoon 23 - Pussycat Fingertips (Tim Kerr) from the out of print 1995 release "Famous Swan Song"

2. Saturna - Just for Thrills (self-released) from the 2006 "...All Night" EP. The recently released "Some Delicious Enemy" is also available

3. The Upsidedown - Drag Race (Reverb) from the 2004 release "Trust Electricity". New CD coming soon

4. Nordic - Polare (self-released) from the 2004 "The Transatlantic" EP. Nordic release CDs at a rate only marginally faster than post-"Loveless" My Bloody Valentine

5. The Dandy Warhols - Best Friend (Tim Kerr) from the 1996 release "Dandy's Rule OK"

6. The Prids - Lienzencages (Death Tech) from the out of print 2000 "Duracraft" EP. Two full-lengths are available: "Love Zero" and "...Until the World is Beautiful"

7. Stars of Track and Field - Say Hello (Wind-up) from the 2007 release "Centuries Before Love and War"

8. The High Violets - Ballad (Comet Rock) from the 2000 "Dream Away" EP. This one is out of print, but, if you don't already own them, you can and should buy "44 Down" and "To Where You Are"

9. Charmparticles - Moving On (Chris Gragg) from the 2004 compilation "Deep Roots 7"--which is not about Shoegazing

10. Drakes Hotel - Here's to the Days (Reverb) from the 2007 release "Tell Me Everything"

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Vibrato 02

Here's a bunch of cover songs for you. About a third of the source CDs are out of print, but most can be picked up used from Amazon re-sellers, eBay, and the like.
-- NWshoegazer


1. The Raveonettes - My Boyfriend's Back (Angels)
from the 2005 release "Pretty in Black" (Columbia)

2. The December Sound - Reverence (The Jesus and Mary Chain)
from the 2006 "Kill Me" EP (self-released)

3. Lush - Outdoor Miner (Wire)
from the 1992 "For Love" EP (4AD)

4. Spacemen 3 - Mary Anne (13th Floor Elevators)
from the 2003 re-issue of "Taking Drugs to Make Music to Take Drugs To" (Space Age)

5. Trespassers William - Vapour Trail (Ride)
from the 2004 release "Different Stars" (Nettwerk)

6. Ride - Sight of You (Pale Saints)
from the 2003 release "Waves" (BBC)

7. Pale Saints - Blue Flower (Mazzy Star)
from the 1992 release "In Ribbons" (4AD)

8. Loop - Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young)
from the 1989 compilation "The Bridge: A Tribute to Neil Young" (Number Six)

9. Anne McCue - Machine Gun (Jimi Hendrix)
from the 2004 release "Roll" (Messenger) Makes me wonder: had Jimi Hendrix lived long enough, would he have tried his hand at Shoegazing?

10. The Upsidedown - Spirit in the Sky (Norman Greenbaum)
from the 2004 release "Trust Electricity" (Reverb)

11. Morella's Forest - Voices Carry ('Til Tuesday)
from the 1995 "Hang-Out" EP (Tooth & Nail)

12. The Boo Radleys - Alone Again Or (Bryan MacLean)
from the 2003 re-issue of "Learining to Walk" (Pinnacle)

13. The Manhattan Love Suicides - Indian Summer (Beat Happening)
from the 2006 self-titled release (Magic Marker)

14. Galaxie 500 - Ceremony (Joy Division)
from the 1996 box-set re-issue of "On Fire" (Ryko)

15. Lunasect - How To Disappear Completely (Radiohead)
from the 2001 compilation "Anyone Can Play Radiohead" (Cleopatra) While some of the songs clearly demonstrate that the claim made in the CD's title is false, I really do like this cover of my favorite Radiohead song.

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Vibrato 01

With few exceptions, I have deliberately chosen not to use what I feel are the best songs from the sampled CDs. I did, however, try to include songs that give an accurate representation of the CD's content while keeping the quality high enough to pique the listener's interest. So basically, if you want to hear the best songs from any of these CDs, buy the CD. -- NWshoegazer

1. The Molecules - DNA Forever (self-released)
from the 2006 debut full-length "23 Factory Slaves" If you can figure out how to obtain a copy of this CD, please let me know; following the link on their MySpace page doesn't work.

2. All In the Golden Afternoon - All In the Golden Afternoon (self-released)
from the 2007, limited edition (50 copies), self-titled EP.

3. Afraid of Stairs - Let Me (Lavender)
from the 2006 "Afraid of Stairs" EP.

4. A Hundred Times Beloved - Ella (Alison)
from the 2007 full-length "Antarctic Sunrise". .

5. A Shoreline Dream - New York (Latenight Weeknight)
from the 2007 "Coastal" EP.

6. Ghost of the Russian Empire - The Sovereign and a Sword (Thrifty Ghosts)
from the 2006 "With Fiercest Demolition" EP.

7. Elika - We Stay the Same (This Quiet Army)
from the 2006 "Elika" EP.

8. Sway - Opentillate (Sillas Famosas)
from the 2003 "The Millia Pink And Green" EP.

9. Model Morning - The Worst of the Three (Club AC30)
from the 2006 "Your Worst Enemy" EP.

10. Anilore - World Ends (self-released)
from the 1997 full-length "Still Awake" re-issued in 2006.

http://www.tremelo100.blogspot.com/

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