Japancakes – Only Shallow


It may be over 15 years since My Bloody Valentine’s ‘Loveless’ appeared but the thirst for new material from the Irish group has never been stronger. Kevin Shields has dropped in and out of hibernation in the intervening period with stints in Primal Scream and a well regarded turn on the ‘Lost In Translation’ soundtrack. Of course the rumours regarding a possible reunion have been about for years but of late the indications are that someday soon we’ll be basking in My Bloody Valentine’s next record. It’s going to have to be something magical but given Shields immaculate attention to detail and most of all his unquestioned genius it’s hard to expect anything less. So until we get the wires reporting it as gospel we’ll have to make do with robust covers by bands like Japancakes to remind us of what could be in store. In fact Japancakes have gone the extra yard and reworked the whole ‘Loveless’ album. Even though MBV were overwhelmingly instrumental Belinda Butchers voice often stole the show so it’s interesting how Japancakes have approached ‘Only Shallow’. There are no vocals in tow but Japancakes have still conjured the majesty inherent in ‘Only Shallow’ wherein several layers of seemingly disparate forces form one complete whole. KD

Japancakes – Only Shallow

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More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: Loveless
Year: 2007

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3 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    September 20, 2007
    Reply

    have you ever tried to eat sushi or even spaghetti and melted Parmesan cheese with drumsticks? This b-side instrumental is stringy – with plenty of slide guitar and piano. But what else is the song trying to tell us? Am thinking <>Japancakes<> needs that main ingredient – lyrics. I want to hear the whole sushi bar scoop. Just as the undulating slide guitar goes, so the song goes: A B A B A B A. But the melody – singing to us through stringed instruments – is haunting, and will grow on you. After all, a symphony can charm us out of our white socks just as easily as molted vocal tracks.

  2. September 20, 2007
    Reply

    Absolutely great stuff Anon and I wished I knew what you were talking about. I dunno, ‘Loveless’ is one of my top 5 albums but I can still appreciate what Japancakes are trying to do here. Anyway, it’s good to hear an alternate viewpoint.

  3. Anonymous
    September 21, 2007
    Reply

    <>melted vocal tracks<>?? what is this guy talking about? I agree with mp3h, <>Loveless<> is a great album.

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