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Untitled

MBV (stylised as m b v) is the third studio album by the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine, released on 2 February 2013 on Pickpocket Records. Produced by the band's vocalist and guitarist Kevin Shields, MBV was the band's first full-length release of original material since Loveless (1991).

Part of the album was recorded prior to My Bloody Valentine's breakup in 1997 and additional recording took place following the band's reunion in 2007. Shields declared in 2007 that recording was "3/4's done"[1] and announced MBV's release in November 2012. Critical reaction to MBV was positive.

Background

Following their departure from Creation Records after the release of their second studio album Loveless (1991), My Bloody Valentine signed with Island Records in October 1992 for a reported £250,000 contract.[2] The band's advance went towards the construction of a home studio in Streatham, South London, which was completed in April 1993. Several technical problems with the studio sent the band into "semi-meltdown", according to vocalist and guitarist Kevin Shields,[3] who was rumoured to have been suffering from writer's block.[4] The band recorded and released two cover songs from 1993 to 1996—a rendition of "We Have All the Time in the World" by Louis Armstrong for Peace Together[5] and a cover of "Map Ref. 41°N 93°W" by Wire for the tribute album Whore: Tribute to Wire.[6]

Rumours had spread amongst fans that albums worth of material had been recorded and shelved prior to the band's 1997 break up. In 1999, it was reported that Shields had delivered 60 hours of material to Island Records,[2] and vocalist and guitarist Bilinda Butcher confirmed that there existed "probably enough songs to fill two albums."[4] Shields later admitted that at least one full album of "half-finished" material was abandoned. He said, "[it] just [got] dumped, but it was worth dumping. It was dead. It hadn't got that spirit, that life in it."[7]

Recording

Recording sessions for MBV began in 1996, after bassist Debbie Googe and drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig left the band. Shields described that when the sessions concluded in 1997 the album was "half-finished."[1] Googe has referred to MBV's recording as "a long process" and noted that Kevin Shields recorded most of the album's instrumentation. In an interview with Drowned in Sound, Googe revealed that the album's drum parts had "been added then taken off at least once"—with Shields' brother Jimi Shields recording initial drum tracks and Ó Cíosóig recording final tracks.[8] The album was recorded and mixed on analogue equipment, similar to Isn't Anything (1988) and Loveless. It was recorded on 2–inch 24–track tape and mixed on half-inch tape.[9]

The album's mastering was completed on 21 December 2012,[10][11] "with no digital processing involved", according to the band.[9] The band recorded additional material at Grouse Lodge in Westmeath, Ireland during January 2013.[12][13]

Composition

During an interview with The Quietus prior to MBV's release, Kevin Shields summarised that "it's not going to sound like Loveless where it's like looking into another world ... more like Isn't Anything, where it seems to be of this world, but with one foot in another world." He added that "the songs on Loveless had more in common with folk-blues music to me, just a verse and an instrumental passage, circular" and referred to the new material as "more elongated" and "more raw."[14] The Beach Boys partially recorded album Smile was an influence on the composition of the material. According to Shields, he "wanted to see what would happen if I worked in a more impressionistic way, so that it only comes together at the end."[15] Shields mentioned drum and bass as an influence on one of the album's songs,[14][16] and jungle music had influenced some of the original material recorded in 1996.[17]

In 2007, describing the imminent release of a new record, Shields said "It sounds like what we sounded like—different but not radically different" and revealed the album was composed from "[the] '96/'97 record half-finished record finished, and then a compilation of stuff we did before that in 1993–94, and a little bit of new stuff."[1]

Release

My Bloody Valentine confirmed MBV's release through the band's official Facebook page on 2 February 2013.[18] The band's official web site was relaunched at 11:58 GMT on 2 February, where MBV was released on Pickpocket Records,[19] an independent record label Shields launched in October 2011.[20] It was made available for purchase on My Bloody Valentine's official web site in three options: a digital download in either MP3 or WAV format, a CD and digital download package, and a 180g LP, CD and digital download package.[21] The web site crashed within minutes of MBV's release, due to web traffic[22] and the album was later made available for stream on YouTube.[23] Physical copies of the album are due to be released on 22 February.[9]

Tour

Prior to the MBV's release, My Bloody Valentine announced live dates in South Korea,[24] Japan,[25] Taiwan and Australia[26] during February 2013. The tour began on 3 February at Uniqlo-AX in Seoul and is due to conclude on 22 February at the Palace Theatre in Melbourne. A three-date tour of the United Kingdom was later announced,[27] with the band due to perform from 8 March to 12 March at Barrowlands in Glasgow, O2 Apollo in Manchester and Hammersmith Apollo in London. Due to demand, a second performance at Hammersmith Apollo on 13 March was added.[28] The band performed a warm-up show at Electric Brixton in London on 27 January 2013, performing a new song entitled "Rough Song",[29] which was later titled "New You" on MBV. North American tour dates in support of the album are being considered, according to Debbie Googe.[8]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic87/100[30]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[31]
The A.V. ClubA–[32]
BBC Musicfavourable[33]
Chicago Tribune[34]
The Guardian[35]
Hot Pressfavourable[36]
The Irish Timesfavourable[37]
Los Angeles Times[38]
Pitchfork Media9.1/10[39]
Spin8/10[40]

Upon its release, MBV was strongly received by most critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 87, based on 35 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim."[30] Allmusic rated MBV four out of five stars.[31] Writing for The A.V. Club, Jason Heller said the album "stands as something potentially timeless—and immediately breathtaking." Heller drew comparisons between the first half of the album and Loveless, and stated that the latter half "relinquishes the familiar and swims far beyond the sight of shore", in his A– review.[32] BBC Music reviewer Ian Wade gave MBV a favourable review, describing "the lack of a dramatic shift in direction" as "comforting." He referred to the album as "a perfect follow-up to Loveless and noted it "represents an astounding return."[33] Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune awarded the album two and a half stars out of four and described MBV as being in thirds, saying "the opening trio of songs offers a paler version of the revolutionary Loveless sound", "the album takes a turn in its middle third with 'Is This and Yes,' essentially a long palette cleanser devoid of guitars" and "the album's final three songs serve as the antidote."[34]

Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the The Financial Times rated the album four out of five stars and said that "MBV opening track leads the listened to expect a Loveless 2.0; as though Shields, pushing 50, has finally accepted that he has painted himself into a corner. However, as the album unfolds it transforms itself into a remarkable act of renewal", later concluding there was "a wild, undisciplined feel to the music."[41] Writing for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis compared the album favourably to Loveless and stated that MBV was "more melodically complex, intriguing and often pleasing than anything My Bloody Valentine has written before" in his full five-star review.[35]

Both Hot Press and The Irish Times published favourable reviews of MBV — Eamon Sweeney of Hot Press said My Bloody Valentine "have delivered nine tracks and 46 minutes of beautiful madness to luxuriate and get completely lost in"[36] and Jim Carroll praised the album, referring to it as "damn good" and adding "but this is [My Bloody Valentine] and that third album comes with so many expectations that it's nigh on impossible for it to live up to what we expect."[37] Los Angeles Times' music critic Randall Roberts awarded MBV three and a half stars out of four. He described the album as opening with "a syrupy, drunken vessel of deep tremolo guitar" and ending on "a whirlwind of rhythm", adding "the record blossoms 20 minutes in, and over its length presents the sound of a group living in the here and now: rhythms of the moment, and staticky love-anthems like 'If I Am' as beautiful as anything the band has ever done."[38] Spin rated MBV eight out of ten, with reviewer Michael Robbins referring to it as a "logical next step" and "utterly contemporary" with "a few songs betray[ing] their long, frustrating gestation in a studio vacuum."[40]

Track listing

  1. "She Found Now" – 5:06
  2. "Only Tomorrow" – 6:22
  3. "Who Sees You" – 6:12
  4. "Is This and Yes" – 5:07
  5. "If I Am" – 3:54
  6. "New You" – 4:59
  7. "In Another Way" – 5:31
  8. "Nothing Is" – 3:34
  9. "Wonder 2" – 5:52

References

  1. ^ a b c Prince, David (6 November 2007). "My Bloody Valentine: the reunion confirmed". The Daily Swarm. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  2. ^ a b Stubbs, David (1999). "Sweetheart Attack: My Bloody Valentine's Isn't Anything is the Eighties Rock Album". Uncut (February 1999). IPC Media. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  3. ^ McGonigal, Mike (2007). My Bloody Valentine's Loveless (33 1/3). New York: Continuum. pp. 101–102. ISBN 978-0-8264-1548-6. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. ^ a b "TD Archive: My Bloody Valentine's Bilinda Butcher Interviewed". Totally Dublin. Totally Partner. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Peace Together – Various Artists: Songs, Reeviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Whore: Tribute to Wire – Various Artists: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  7. ^ "My Bloody Valentine interview with KUCI". KUCI. University of California. Archived from the original on 12 September 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  8. ^ a b Gourlay, Dom (6 December 2012). "We became seminal for doing nothing": DiS meets Debbie Googe of My Bloody Valentine / In Depth". Drowned in Sound. Silentway. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  9. ^ a b c "my bloody valentine – m b v". mybloodyvalentine.org. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  10. ^ Nelson, Michael (26 December 2012). "My Bloody Valentine Finish Mastering New Album". Stereogum. Buzz Media. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  11. ^ "My Bloody Valentine finish mastering new album | News". NME. IPC Media. 26 December 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  12. ^ "grouselodge: What an honour to have Kevin ..." Twitter. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  13. ^ Daly, Maria (25 January 2013). "Rosemount's Grouse Lodge continues to attract world-class musicians". Mullingar Advertiser. Customer Deals. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  14. ^ a b Parkes (8 May 2012). "News | Kevin Shields Discusses New MBV Album". The Quietus. Retrieved 2 February 2012. {{cite web}}: Text "Taylor" ignored (help)
  15. ^ "Kevin Shields: The new My Bloody Valentine album was influenced by The Beach Boys | News". NME. IPC Media. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  16. ^ "My Bloody Valentine taking drum'n'bass direction on new album? | News". NME. IPC Media. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  17. ^ DeRogatis, Jim (2003). Turn on Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychadelic Rock. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard. p. 491. ISBN 978-0-634-05548-5. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  18. ^ "We are preparing to ..." Facebook. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  19. ^ Corr, Alan (6 February 2013). "My Bloody Valentine – mbv". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  20. ^ "My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields launches record label, hints at new material". NME. IPC Media. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  21. ^ "Music". mybloodyvalentine.org. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  22. ^ "Surprise My Bloody Valentine Album Crashes Website | News". Ultimate Guitar Archive. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  23. ^ Vincent, Alice (4 February 2013). "My Bloody Valentine release surprise album after 22 years and stream on YouTube". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  24. ^ "Blog Archive » My Bloody Valentine Live in Seoul this weekend". Korea Gig Guide. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  25. ^ Snapes, Laura (17 May 2012). "My Bloody Valentine Return to the Stage | News". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  26. ^ "All Tomorrow's Parties to return to Australia in 2012 | Music News". triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  27. ^ "My Bloody Valentine announce UK tour dates for March 2013". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  28. ^ Tuffrey, Laura (6 December 2012). "News | My Bloody Valentine Announce 2013 Tour". The Quietus. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  29. ^ "My Bloody Valentine debut new song at London gig – watch". NME. IPC Media. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  30. ^ a b "M B V Reviews, Ratings, Credits and More". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  31. ^ a b "M B V – My Bloody Valentine: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  32. ^ a b Heller, Jason (4 February 2013). "My Bloody Valentine: MBV | Music | MusicalWork Review". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  33. ^ a b Wade, Ian (4 February 2013). "Review of My Bloody Valentine – m b v". BBC Music. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  34. ^ a b Kot, Greg (4 February 2013). "My Bloody Valentine review; m b v reviewed". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  35. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (4 February 2013). "My Bloody Valentine: m b v – review | Music". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  36. ^ a b Sweeney, Eamon (4 February 2013). "New My Bloody Valentine: The Hot Press Verdict". Hot Press. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  37. ^ a b Carroll, Jim (4 February 2013). "On the Record » The stuff from the weekend: Beyonce, Oxegen, My Bloody Valentine". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  38. ^ a b Roberts, Randall (4 February 2013). "Review: Can't help but crank up My Bloody Valentine's m b v". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  39. ^ Richardson, Mark (6 February 2013). "My Bloody Valentine, m b v | Album Review". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  40. ^ a b Robbins, Michael (5 February 2013). "My Bloody Valentine, m b v (Self-Released) | Albums". Spin. Buzz Media. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  41. ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (4 February 2013). "My Bloody Valentine: mbv". The Financial Times. Pearson. Retrieved 4 February 2013.

See also

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