Loop - Array 1 [12"]

Reunions of bands like Slowdive and Ride are getting (most rightfully so) a lot of attention in the press, but the fact that LOOP -although musically quite different than the other bands i just mentioned- came back to make music again at the end of 2013, shouldn't be overlooked either. And this ARRAY 1 EP is their first release since 1990's A Gilded Eternity - and apparently there are two more EP's to follow. They have not lost any bit of their strength with this EP. The first two songs on side A sound like the band we know from the late 80's/early 90's, yet still very modern. Coma, the third one on side A, is a (rather uncomfortable) ambient soundscape. The whole B-side is taken by Radial, a song in 3 parts. An instrumental beginning (vaguely reminding me of Bowie's instrumental tunes during his Berlin period, like Warszawa), then an uptempo part with vocals, and at the end another instrumental ambient part. This 17-minute song is definitely my favourite one of the EP. Great to have them back, and looking forward to hear EP number two, which is scheduled for the autumn.

Label: ATP Recordings
Cat.nr.: ATREP07
Year of release: 2015

SIDE A:
01. Precession
02. Aphelion
03. Coma

SIDE B:
01. Radial

Loop - Fade Out [12", LP]

This LOOP album is another find from the Utrecht record fair last weekend. FADE OUT was their second album (of only three, not counting the singles compilation The World In Your Eyes and a Peel Sessions LP), and the only one that was still missing in my collection. Just like Heaven's End and A Gilded Eternity this album's packed with psychedelic repetitive space rock. Great stuff. Recorded at Blackwing Studios, about which i wrote something a few months ago. The original release was in 1988 on the Chapter 22 label, but this is a 1992 reissue on the Reactor label. Limited edition, grey vinyl. Extremely happy that i bumped into this album on the last day of the fair when it was sold for less than half of the normal price.

Label: Reactor
Cat.nr.: REACTOR LP4
Year of release: 1992 (originally: 1988)

SIDE A:
01. Black Sun
02. This Is Where You End
03. Fever Knife
04. Torched

SIDE B:
01. Fade Out
02. Pulse
03. A Vision Stain
04. Got To Get It Over

Various Artists - The Bridge (A Tribute To Neil Young) [12", LP]

When this compilation had just come out, i borrowed the CD from the library and taped it. Around 6 years ago i threw away all my tapes and i forgot about this NEIL YOUNG tribute called THE BRIDGE ever since. It's long deleted on CD as well nowadays so you rarely find it in shops anymore, but last weekend i stumbled upon the vinyl edition at the Utrecht recordfair. Brought back sweet memories so i couldn't resist buying it. I must say that I'm not particularly a Neil Young fan (although i appreciate his work and i'm certainly not a hater), but i really do love some of the artists on this tribute LP. I mean, where do you find a compilation of rare tracks by bands like Flaming Lips, Loop, Nick Cave, Pixies, Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr.? One by one great versions of these songs as well. Definitely worth the purchase.

Label: Caroline
Cat.nr.: CAR LP 5
Yera of release: 1989

SIDE A:
01. Soul Asylum - Barstool Blues
02. Victoria Willams & The Williams Brothers - Don't Let It Bring You Down
03. Flaming Lips - After The Goldrush
04. Nikki Sudden & The French Revolution - Captain Kennedy
05. Loop - Cinnamon Girl
06. Nick Cave - Helpless

SIDE B:
01. Pixies - Winterlong.
02. Sonic Youth - Computer Age
03. Psychic TV - Only Love Can Break Your Heart
04. Dinosaur Jr. - Lotta Love
05. Henry Kaiser - The Needle And The Damage Done/Tonight's The Night (Medley)

Loop - Heaven's End [12", LP]

Originally released in 1987, this year's reissue marks the 25th anniversary of HEAVEN'S END by LOOP. A psychedelic masterpiece, this debut album, with bluesy droning riffs and howling guitar soundscapes, soaked by wah-wah pedals and drowning in reverb. Hypnotic from the first tones of Soundhead until the very last ones of Carry Me.
Great to finally have this on vinyl 'cause i've been looking for a second-hand copy of the original for quite a while, but never managed to find one. This is a numbered edition by the way, but i've no idea how many were made. My number's #1952.


Label: Reactor
Cat.nr.: REACTOR 01 LP
Year of release: 2012 (originally: 1987)

SIDE A:
01. Soundhead
02. Straight To Your Heart
03. Forever
04. Heaven's End

SIDE B:
01. To Real To Feel
02. Fix To Fall
03. Head On
04. Carry Me

Loop - A Gilded Eternity [12", LP]

A record that i ran into by coincidence at the Velvet Vinyl Outlet about a year ago, and of course i couldn't resist buying it. A GILDED ETERNITY is a psychedelic gem that hypnotises you. If you don't know LOOP but are into bands like Spacemen 3 for example, you should listen to this album.

Label: Rebel Records
Cat.nr.: 008-30561
Year of release: 1990

SIDE A:
01. Vapour
02. Afterglow
03. The Nail Will Burn
04. Blood

SIDE B:
01. Breathe Into Me
02. From Centre To Wave
03. Be Here Now