joy zipper - american whip
surely you know all about this album.
after months of being left on the shelf, record label hiccups, white hot glowing reviews everywhere nearly 18 months ago, followed by ebay battles and general loss in the post i have now at long last become a lifelong friend with an album that has always existed but never been fully realised, until now.
matching serene girl/boy harmonies, subtle fuzzed up guitars, sunny vibes with a david lynch dark underbelly to a complete whole, the romantic overtones of this loved up nyc couple takes a few listens to get its sugary claws into you.
but trust me .. it is worth it.
the first listen you will hardly notice the album is on. the second you will pick up on the more forthright aspects, the quiet storm of layered guitars, sweet melodies. third listen you will become disconcerted with some of the lyrics. forth you will succumb. do not resist.
i have lived with this album for several months now and i can assure you i still feel the same rush of joy when the girl/boy vocal interplay kicks in, when the subtley funked up stone roses style bassline on 'out of the sun', the trumpet part on 'dosed and confused' overlying the string quartet and acoustic strum, and many other moments of sheer excellence. i just melt when the overly reference my bloody valentine production becomes apparent. though i should add - do not expect a 'loveless' style noise overload, kevin sheilds has held back and just added the slightest of his trademark guitar stylings.
quite simply, this is the best album of 2003, and now it is being released in 2004 i suspect i will still hold the album in that position for 2004.
discography - interview - link