Collider New Album from Citrus Clouds
Collider LP – Citrus Clouds
Citrus Clouds are local dream Rock (AKA shoegaze) from Phoenix AZ . I’m glad I checked them out last year as they dropped a bunch of great singles which you can read about here. https://meatsheetfanzine.com/citrus-clouds-single-and-video-honey/ , and “Whoa” https://meatsheetfanzine.com/new-aggro-october-music/
Don’t forget this video and single. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYG_WR1Xl2k
I don’t believe I wrote about their first video and single above “A Pastel Sky” but that track stands out. There is a drum rhythm that gives a nice offset feel. It took me off guard. Sounds like a mistake at first. Definitely a unique percussion technique to get listener’s attention.
Moving right along we have the rest of the LP Collider on Lollipop records.
“In A Daydream ” is a floaty, meandering , track. Bright with sugary but not over sweet guitar tone. This song is appropriately titled. The vocal melodies stand out on this track.
Cloud like bliss against a blue sky vocals (and music)
Next, “Let Love Find You” is even more of the same qualities of “In a Daydream” the lull of the bass line blended with the airy vocals is a striking contrast that works to the Citrus Clouds favor. The guitar tone straight out of your favorite gaze records. Clean at times, then changing to dirtier overdriven signal.
The title track, Collider, features a driving rhythm and a slightly harder edge than the previous two songs but the craftsmanship is of the same quality.
Edgier and on the outskirts of what some may consider “goth” but without the sense of gloom.
Collider is edgy, but glisteningly bright. This could be the centerpiece of the LP as it hits almost in the middle.
“Summer Everywhere” features the tracks in a sun drenched glorious feeling and reverbed out vocals. A little whammy bar out of phase action (think MBV) and noisier breakdown fill this one out.
“Feel The Spirit” offers clean plucky intro which divides the ether up nicely, but very soon it gets spacey and dreamy quickly. That is not necessarily a bad thing though. The guitars are nice and warm in tone. The low end perfectly accentuates the picking and rhythm of this song.
“Whenever That Might Be” seems to be the most dynamic as far as female vocals. If you know the 90’s band Ivy’s stuff from Sarah records and their early EP’s I can definitely cross reference this track’s vocals.
Finally we come to “Motion Blur. A pulsing, poppier song with the guitars dropping in and out. You still hear all the dreaminess when the guitars come back in. Stacie’s higher pitched , soothing backing vocals highlight Erick’s deeper toned voice, both are echoing and resonant. “Motion Blur ” is a good choice to close this LP out. I use the term ‘shoegaze’ with protest but this a very fine shoegaze album that will delight those who favor dreamy, noisy , and tone rich indie rock.
Bonus Gazing.
Shine – Stare Into The Sun – Single
This is so good. It’s like Hum and Chapterhouse’s lovechild. The guitar tone is warm, a bit fuzzy, heavy. The intro uses tremolo perfectly.
I don’t believe this is a reference to Uniform Choice’s album, but if it is, even better.
The vocals are also warm, distant, but feel good. Picture RIDE’s Vapor Trail main vocals with reverb and blending right in with the guitars and beats
I am probably a shoegaze purist but this one just hits me right in my 90’s soft spot. It’s the perfect blend of dreamy and heavy. All at once !
Support them here. https://shinemusicseattle.bandcamp.com/releases The single has a video as well and not to downplay it, I just dig the audio so the video is a nice bonus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTY9fldw1I0&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR0ZTAcx8bDQ6Gkv4frfmij5EyQocAqb1ygZnfCfaVH_dmPrxtmtO0oOOxQ
Stay tuned for more music that dropped this Bandcamp Friday. We have Nitekat, Mike Polizze, if not more.