Or how you can create a great rock sound with the use of some guitar distortion and a set of foot pedals, among other things. At the time when shoegaze became a legitimate term in rock music back in the eighties, it was not predicted to last long, particularly when the grunge thing set in in the early nineties.
Yet, here we are today, decades on, and not only is shoegaze still around, but is now set as one of the more prominent rock genres that are still booming.
Maybe that booming has something to do with all those buzzing electric guitars and ever-growing sets of sound-modifying foot pedals shoegazers use (after all, constant changing of your guitar sound with pedals requires you to "gaze" at your shoes). Or, on the other hand, it has something to do with the modern shoegaze bands often referring to some of the defining albums that preceded them and defined the sound of the genre.
Here are just seven such albums that essentially remain as benchmarks for the shoegaze sound. (Oh, and one more thing, shoegaze is often mixed up with dream pop. And while the two genres do have close connections - the one being that they cropped up in a very close timeline - they are not the same, although both can sound quite great, thank you.)
These shoegaze albums are ridiculously good
Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy
This album is often cited as one of the earliest examples of shoegaze, although it is not sure whether the Reid brothers, who are the backbone of the band, would label themselves as shoegazers. Yet, their buzzing, distorted guitar sound harking back to the early sixties garage bands and Velvet Underground in their White Light/White Heat mode dominate here, combined with some quite nifty vocal harmonies as an added touch.
It is no wonder this Jesus and Mary Chain album was set out as a precedent and a blueprint for many bands and artists yet to come.
My Blood Valentine - Loveless
If you look at any number of "best of" lists for different rock genres, there is always a contention about which single album is the best. Not the case with shoegaze. Any list you check there, one band and their album are always at the top - My Bloody Valentine and their masterpiece (always on almost every general rock "best" list) Loveless.
It is not certain what Kevin Shields MBV’s mastermind meant with the album’s title. The album itself was obviously with years of love-filled recordings with such great concept behind the use of guitar sounds, some of which were never heard before, but were so much imitated later on.
Galaxie 500 - On Fire
At the time of this album (1989), Dean Wareham, who was responsible for most of this album was proclaimed as a new rock prophet. Yet, later on, it seems that his other two partners, Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang came up with work that resonated more with the fans.
Still, On Fire remains one of the masterpieces of what can be dubbed as "quiet" shoegaze, as the guitar effects are not so prominent. There is that sound prominent for the genre in some excellent guitar histrionics from Wareham, and an excellent production by Kramer.
Slowdive - Souvlaki
Those familiar with Greek cuisine know how good a souvlaki pita wrap can be quite tasty when done well. And this Souvlaki (1993) from a quintet that was so prominent within the first shoegaze wave, went their separate ways and then reformed recently, is more than just tasty.
Their initial album Just For A Day was a true slab of shoegaze catching the attention of the fans. It is on Souvlaki where Rachel Goswell, Neal Halstead, and the rest of the band step up, particularly in the songwriting department. The presence of Brian Eno on two tracks had an additional influence.
The Boo Radleys - Giant Steps
Another great band from the initial shoegaze craze (that is coming back on the scene), is just another sign that this genre is at one of its heights at the moment.
The Boo Radleys are now rightfully considered one of the stalwarts of the genre. At the time this album was released (1993), some highbrows were raised because a shoegaze band picked up a title for their album from John Coltrane’s legendary jazz one. It made no difference since this album stands as one of shoegaze's high points so far with its guitar-dominated melodies.
The Lilys - Eccsame the Photon Band
While The Lilys are considered musical chameleons as they shifted their musical style during their career, their best records are firmly rooted in shoegaze. This album from 1994 tops the list of their achievements.
While some critics thought that the influence of My Bloody Valentine is a bit overwhelming here, it should be said that Kurt Heasley and his band have essentially come up with a thorough digest of what shoegaze sound was at its initial prime. Some exquisite melodies here just conform to Heasley’s case here.