Sam's Record Collection #3

1. Lush- Spooky

So, my next favourite record is one I obtained from a record shop I used to work at last year. It had been there gathering dust for some time and I never thought to pick it up. It was the standard black issue release from 1992 but it was, in fact, limited edition which meant that it cost £40. This was actually the first album that I played on my new pioneer DJ decks I got last year. I remember setting up my record on the brand new player and hearing that raw, authentic sound- it made me fall in love instantly with this album and my new record player. After having multiple listens I knew that this could be one of my favourite shoegaze albums from the 90s due to the intense, spiritual feel the album gives off, and that organ drop in the opening track 'Stray' always gets me gassed. A song which is, in fact, about a stray dog that used to hang out with the band (very wholesome.) The rest of the album follows on perfectly from this song and goes from strength to strength.

In 2006, Pitchfork marked 'Spooky' number 27 on the “50 best Shoe Gaze albums of all time” and it's no surprise! The album is layered with angelic guitar tones, heavy effects, blissful vocals and a generally warm, but heavy, feeling which was offered by Robin Guthrie from the Cocteau Twins. When I listen to this album, I feel as though I have been transported back to 1992 and I am sat in my room depressed being soothed by this music. A song which resonates this feeling is the track 'Covert' which, like the rest of the album, is laden with spiritual/dream-like guitar tones. It's a stripped back, simple song which encourages you to focus on the touching harmonies that offer you a feeling of sadness, despite not actually being able to hear clearly what they are singing about.

To put it simply, this album is brimming with well-crafted pop songs that have aged well through history and makes me (who wasn’t even alive 1992) feel nostalgic and like I was there. Music is pretty cool ay.

Favourite track- For Love