In Ribbons

UKシューゲイザー/ドリーム・ポップの伝説的バンド Pale Saintsの2作目『In Ribbons』が30周年を記念して未発表デモなどを追加収録した特別盤としてリリース!!

1987年にIan Masters(Bass/Vocal)、Chris Cooper(Drum)、Graeme Naysmith(Guitar)の3名によって結成された、UKシューゲイザー/ドリーム・ポップの伝説的バンド、Pale Saints。
1992年に発売し、米ピッチフォークが「史上最高のシューゲイザー・アルバム」のひとつに選んだアルバム『In Ribbons』をリイシュー!
30周年を記念した本作の2CD/2LPにはSlapp Happyの「Blue Flower」のカバーや、Ian MastersによるNancy Sinatraのカバー「Kinky Love」などの未発表のデモ音源と、The Tintwistle Bandによる2曲のリワークが収録されている。

An argument could be made for In Ribbons topping the Pale Saints debut, and it would be a rather solid one. Thanks to yet another stellar job by "knob twiddler of the mighty atmospheric pop bands" Hugh Jones, the Pale Saints sound full and polished, gleaming and bright. What makes this a lesser record in comparison to its predecessor is the absence of that loose sense of adventure from before. The songs are strong, the musicianship is improved, and Meriel Barhams presence as second guitarist and vocalist provides for more muscularity, but In Ribbons is missing the slightly perverse sense of experimentation that The Comforts of Madness had in spades. The unpredictability is gone, which is one of the few downsides of a band whose members are getting to know each other musically. That doesnt prevent In Ribbons from being a great record, stacked to the gills with great songs. Barhams sporadic contributions provide a fine spoil to those of Ian Masters. The mid-tempo moodiness of "Thread of Light" benefits from Jones excellent treatment of her voice, with swooning backgrounds that dart between the left and right channels. (The verses bear odd sonic resemblance to Duran Durans "Save a Prayer" -- no kidding.) Her reading of Slapp Happys "Blue Flower" tops Mazzy Stars version, and "Baby Maker" also makes the grade with its dizzied liveliness. Masters love for the abandonment of rock constructs strikes upon a zenith on "Hair Shoes," a drumless cluster of limpidly jousting guitars that simultaneously jiggle, rattle, moan, twinkle, and reverberate. His miasmatic vocals seal the track off as a brilliant approximation of the oceanic wash of 69-era AR Kane. Otherwise, more accessible fare, like the sprightly "Throwing Back the Apple" (a single) and the melancholy epic "Hunted," are also accountable for the records success. Though these tracks more traditionally structured material doesnt sound a great deal different from many of the Pale Saints peers, the wan voice of Masters -- who sounds less world-weary here -- clearly sets this unit apart. ~ Andy Kellman