A couple of Mondays ago I posted Reload's remix of Slowdive from 1993, ambient techno re- versioning shoegaze. This led to some discussion of other ambient techno remixes of shoegaze, two sub- genres that seems completely in tune with each. The common feeling was that one of the highlights of the sub- genre's sub- genre was Future Sound Of London's remix of Curve, also in 1993.
This is a nine minute deep space exploration, ambient by way of grungy indie goth rock/ shoegaze. The Future Sound Of London pair, Brian Dougans and Garry Cobain, take their time and eventually bring the drums in to give the ambient backdrop some propulsion. This remix was part of a three CD single set, this one titled Blackerthreetrackertwo. Layers of sound, an ethereal female vocal, lots of early 90s techno sounds but without techno's harder edge. FSOL's remix was built on outtakes from the Cuckoo sessions.
I often feel that FSOL should have featured here more than they should, something I need to rectify. Curve have never been on these pages before, something that is a little odd. I bought their debut EP on release and liked a lot of what they did but never went that deep with them.
In 1991 Curve released their debut EP, a 12" single called Blindfold. Curve were Dean Garcia (who appeared here on Saturday as part of Sinead O'Connor's touring band) and Toni Halliday. They mixed up a lot of late 80s and early 90s culture into a pummeling shoegaze/ Mary Chain/ alternative/ post- goth dance rock that struck a chord with fans and music press alike. The lead song on the EP was this one, Toni's vocals gliding over the top of a Reverence like rhythm and some crunchy guitars. Rapper JC- 001 contributes co- vocals.
The EP's title track Blindfold was slower and less frenetic but no less dense, a morass of swirling guitars/ FX, drums and Toni's vox.
3 comments:
Curve have a ton of unreleased stuff on their Bandcamp page. I read something a while back that suggested Garbage stole their sound and made it commercial, which has some truth in it.
I think Toni said (something like) Garbage were Curve but as a pop group
There was a time when most of the spotty youths with integrity were hooked on Toni's fine opinions.
Post a Comment