The Scene That Celebrates Itself

Eight essential shoegaze albums from the British scene of 1990 to 1993. The UK music press called it the scene that celebrates itself, because the bands kept turning up at each other's gigs, and named the sound after guitarists staring down at their effects pedals.

The set opens with the three records everyone names first. Loveless is the high point: Kevin Shields bending whole chords with the tremolo arm until they seem to melt, made over about two years and blamed for nearly sinking Creation Records. Ride's Nowhere is the young, fast version of the sound, and Slowdive's Souvlaki the slowest and softest, with Brian Eno on two tracks; it was dismissed on release and has been rescued since. Then the rest of the scene. Lush's Spooky was produced by Robin Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins. Chapterhouse's Whirlpool leans toward the dance floor of the time. Swervedriver's Raise and Catherine Wheel's Ferment are the rock end, with more riffs and more road songs. Pale Saints' The Comforts of Madness is the strangest, all sudden turns and odd structures.

If you only have time for one, play Loveless. Every other record here is answering it.