THE HIGH VIOLETS: 44 Down

The High Violets

44 Down

© 2002 Reverb Records (751937182429)

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Bringing back the spirit of Cocteau Twins, Lush and Slowdive in one dreamy breath, Portland Oregon’s The High Violets have been described as leaders of the second coming of the shoegazer sound.

tracks

1 44 Down
2 Fa
3 Colors
4 Julia
5 Sparkle
6 Dream Away
7 Wheel

notes

Sometime around the end of the 2nd millennium, around the same time as the near-passing Hale-Bopp Comet, El Nino, and Y2K, The High Violets were miraculously formed out of the ether over the Pacific Northwest. The surreal sounds that came together as a result of what some are calling another immaculate conception have been likened to those of other galactically inspired musical collectives such as: Galaxie 500, Ride, Spiritualized, My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Slowdive, and Mojave 3.

Awash in foamy cascades of chorused guitars and blossoming, dreamy vocals, The High Violets' songs are such a pleasant synthesis between Love and Rocket's flying-dream whorls, Stereolab's subtle trance inducing grooves and Lush's sonic pop, that one may quickly lump them in the "shoegazer" category. But make no mistake - after turning on to the The High Violet's sound, the last place you'll be looking is the ground.

The dual guitars, drums and bass are wonderfully smeared together, all hazy and gently washed out with vocals that are so airy that deciphering the words is a moot point. But the point is clear: all-encompassing and drenching sonic stimulation. Peaking with tripped-out pop bliss, The High Violet's spacey hazy love-rock textures induce so much rapture that you don't mind a bit when everything drifts away.

reviews

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  • An Excellent Addition To Your Collection
    author: CDDC

    This CD is everything you would expect from a band with shoegazer roots. Nice harmonies, particularly the female vocals and hints of psychedelia. The musicianship is tight and this band has a great rhythm section, sometimes lost with other groups in this genre. A solid addition to your collection.

  • Wraps around you like a blanket and takes you away
    author: fc

    I first played this CD on a lazy rainy Saturday and ooh, it went down so good - moody, dreamy, but somehow uplifting. At the risk of reducing art to commerce - this could be the best ten bucks I ever spent.

  • Wraps around you like a blanket and takes you away
    author: fc

    I first played this CD on a lazy rainy Saturday and ooh, it went down so good - moody, dreamy, but somehow uplifting. At the risk of reducing art to commerce - this could be the best ten bucks I ever spent.

  • Blissrock heaven!
    author: pascoe4@comcast.net

    I stumbled across this band on MP3.com, and 5 minutes later was ordering their CD. Man, do these guys have the sound! Perfect blend of soaring dreaminess and great male-and-female vocal mixing ala Stars of Stage and Screen, only better. "Wheel" should be at the top of EVERY shoegazer list. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because, with only 7 songs, the disc comes off a bit short. Still, however, VERY VERY worth the money.

  • sweet,skyrocketing,sex music for scanning the heavens
    author: x-dear

    The high violets are my new fave. I saw them in la bought 44 down. Their live show had a bit more my bloody valentine edge than the cd. Still I think 44 down is an album to buy. 44 down kicks off with a slick edge then cascades into sometimes mellow grooves. vocal play like slowdive i think. Go get it!

  • fantastic bliss
    author: www.dutchrall.com

    My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau, Sigur Ros... if any of these bands are in your cd collection, you will love The High Violets. Allen Davis's perfect, driving bass underscores a shimmering blend of melodies from the other side of the sun. A great record.

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