This is “Crasher” by Astrobrite, a song that originally appeared on the album Crush in 2001. People in indie pop/dream pop/shoegaze circles might know of this project, one of a few by started by singer and guitarist Scott Cortez, but I’d never heard of it before this year. But I love this track and this whole album is very good.
You may listen to it and think, “Sounds like this artist has listened to a lot of My Bloody Valentine” and I can’t argue with that. The record as a whole, while a bit more varied, is firmly in the dream pop vein, but this track to me sounds like someone heard Loveless and said “I am going to make my own version of this.” Since I’m not a shoegaze expert by any stretch, maybe there is more going on than I’m aware of; regardless, it sounds to me like an MBV imitation and I am crazy about it just the same. I often think of Loveless when someone asks me to name my favorite album of all time, so I don’t mind hearing something that seems directly inspired by it. It’s interesting to think that Loveless gave Creation records headaches and cost a ridiculous sum of money when this song was made at home by one dude with a cassette four-track. For a home recording, the layering and depth of sound is v. impressive. It has a blend of woozy disorientation and sweetness that appeals to me; reminds me of when someone or something makes you feel so good that you almost feel a little sick.
I realized after reading up on this project that I actually went to high school with Scott Cortez. He may have even been in my class. Didn’t know him then but I do remember him, and here I am listening to his music years later. Crazy.
I discovered this record b/c it was reissued by a new Chicago label called Blvd, which is owned by a woman who works at Laurie’s, my local record shop. It comes on red vinyl with a download code. Highly recommended. Check it out here.
24 notes