Cherry Stars Collide - Dream Pop, Shoegaze And Ethereal Rock 1986-1995 4CD Clamshell Box

Cherry Stars Collide: Dream Pop, Shoegaze & Ethereal Rock 1986-1995 serves as a companion to Cherry Reds gargantuan five-CD box Still in a Dream: A Story of Shoegaze 1988-1995. Shifting the scope a bit, this set focuses on atmospheric and gently haunting textures rather than noisy, swirling guitars -- shoegaze is still listed in the title because its inextricably linked with dream pop, but dream pop is definitely the emphasis here. Even with many of the same artists appearing on both collections, this set shows a different, sometimes more abstract side of their work. Over a dozen selections originate from 4ADs golden era, with A.R. Kanes "Lolita" receiving opening track honors (the liner notes credit the band as the originators of the term dream pop), and artists like His Name Is Alive, Insides, and Swallow all given welcome acknowledgement along with the labels more popular bands like Dead Can Dance and Lush. The set is arranged roughly chronologically, and several tracks, particularly on the first disc, are from acts who were already established before this time period, but these particular selections fit in with this loosely defined ethos. These include a spooky near-instrumental by the Chameleons, an edit of a track from Talk Talks Spirit of Eden, a David Sylvian single titled "Pop Song" that features musique concrete-inspired pianos, and even a breakbeat-driven track from the Dream Academys final album. Apart from Julee Cruises timeless Twin Peaks theme, "Falling," and Cocteau Twins jubilant pop gem "Iceblink Luck," few tracks on the compilation could be considered genre standards, with a lot of the bigger names represented by deep cuts and unexpected choices. The compilers curiously went with This Mortal Coils almost funky cover of Talking Heads "Drugs," sung by Alison Limerick, over something moodier by the 4AD all-star project. The Cranberries "Them," from their 1991 debut EP, is surprisingly murky and eerie. The tracks by Spiritualized, Slowdive, and Saint Etienne are weightless, near-ambient B-sides and EP cuts that non-diehards might have missed. The Sundays "God Made Me" is a slow burner from their second album, and Mazzy Stars "Shes My Baby" is a hazy neo-psych tune from their best-selling second LP, issued as a promo-only single. The compilation draws further connections between dream pop and neighboring scenes and styles, from Sarah Records-style indie pop (14 Iced Bears, Secret Shine, the Sweetest Ache) to Projekt darkwave (Lycia, Love Spirals Downwards, Area). The final disc edges into Britpop with Drugstores stark yet sedated ballad "Superglider" and Dubstars devastating "Just a Girl She Said," as well as the ethereal side of American slowcore with Lows characteristically glacial and gorgeous "Stay." Other tracks deserving mention are Chapterhouses gently groovy early single "Mesmerise," Alisons Halos bewildering "Sunshy," and the glorious confusion of the Ecstasy of Saint Theresas "Fluidum" and An April Marchs "All the Flowery." Cherry Stars Collide is a worthwhile deep dive into the lucid, spaced-out realm of alternative music. ~ Paul Simpson