Morningrise - EP

iTunes Review

Slowdive's self-titled EP established the group as the most ethereal of the U.K. shoegaze bands. Its interest in obscure forms made its music a perfect soundtrack to dream to by lava lamp. Morningrise took Slowdive to the next step. The trance-like music breaks into actual songs, with childhood friends Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell merging their voices with the whirlwind of instrumental sound. Where My Bloody Valentine explored the darker end of distortion and Ride flirted with power pop, Slowdive held firm to gentle textures. "Morningrise" is close to Steve Roach in its subtly shifting forms. "She Calls" takes a drive down a foggy path that breaks into pure light. "Losing Today" is an ominous-sounding instrumental piece. Singling out specific instruments is nearly impossible; everything congeals into the overall sound. It's a beautifully transcendent EP.