Suzanne Perry, best known for her enchanting, ethereal vocals on many a Love Spirals Downwards song, is back after almost a decade with a new band called Melodyguild, which also features Matt Gleason on guitars, Nicholas Pallos on drums, and John West on bass. The band has a 4-song EP out titled Aitu on Projekt Records, which was also the home of Love Spirals Downwards.
While Suzanne’s vocals remain as sweetly melancholic and mesmerizing as ever, the band’s dream-pop atmospherics are more guitar-based than LSD and do not employ electronics and layered loops of sounds. The songs on this EP take their time, building slowly towards transporting moments, but the melodies tend to meander and aren’t immediately distinguishable like those found in a typical 3-minute pop song. The lengthy, mellow plateaus in the sound are low-key and pleasant, but it’s the sonic peaks, when the guitars break out in swirls and shimmers, and when Suzanne emotes forlornly, that make this EP worthwhile.
Opener “Paramint” starts off slowly with a steady drum beat, cymbal tap, little rills of reverberating guitar, and a blue-note guitar until, after the 3-minute mark, the guitars smoothly lift off, just grazing the clouds, not getting too high, backed by dynamic drum-work and cymbals. The lofty atmospherics then drift back to earth with the reappearance of a sedate guitar line and Suzanne’s drawn out vocals that are reminiscent of Rachel Goswell of Slowdive in their mournful, jewel-tone sound.
The next song “Accomplice” treads a different stylistic path than that of dream-pop, engaging the verse, chorus, verse pop-song structure to Suzanne’s plainer, but melodic, short-phrase vocals which are accompanied by straight-forward guitar strum and drum beat, with a chiming layer of guitar floating on top of the mix, recalling the songs of later-era The Cowboy Junkies. Suzanne sounds like a cross between Margo Timmins of The Cowboy Junkies and Natalie Merchant, especially in her sweet intonation at the ends of phrases in the chorus sections.
There is an odd contrast between a steady, but up-beat tempo of drums and cymbal tap and Suzanne’s elongated, introspective phrases on “Flicker”. On the chorus the guitars shift to a higher plane, slowly running rings but not ascending to glory until after 4 minutes, when a distorted guitar burn kicks in, but then fades away too quickly against a drum beat that lacks propulsion.
Melodyguild save the best for last on “Un Parallel”, an epic song at almost 8 minutes long, but with a memorable melody that slowly unfurls against a spacey sound and contemplative, chiming guitar notes. Suzanne’s vocals are sweetly introspective and filled with longing and regret as she sings “You always said we were in parallel / too far apart, like two seas / that stretch for miles and miles / never to meet, never to meet…” The intensity of the guitars rises, backs down, and then finally breaks out mid-way through the song with a burnished, looming, scraping ascendancy that rivals the elegant grandeur of certain Slowdive songs.
After the rupture that ended Love Spirals Downwards, singer Suzanne Perry seemed to disappear while Ryan Lum formed the new incarnation of the band as Lovespirals. So the return of Perry fronting a new band in 2002 was a surprising delight, and following on from the occasional compilation appearance over the years, on 2008's Aitu, the four-song debut of Melodyguild, it's clear her sweetly reflective pipes haven't deserted her at all. If she sounds a touch quieter in the mix, this could be the influence of the full band lineup; while not noticeably louder than Love Spirals Downwards was, the sense of a rock band performance is a subtle but clear change from the duo setup of the past. As a result, hearing the band kick into full towards the end of "Panamint" is an enjoyably dramatic touch, though to be fair the band is exploring a variant of a style Perry had long explored rather than trying something distinctly new, at least to start with. So there's cascading guitar shimmers, a moody bass undertow and a general sense of wistful Cocteau Twins-into-Cure-style indie pop atmospherics at work -- one could easily imagine the band appearing on the bill with the Autumns, and they probably have. It's all enjoyable, though, and moments like the Slowdive-style guitar break on "Flicker" from Matt Gleason shows that it's not just simply Perry and company but its own full band at work. -Ned Raggett
4 track EP from the new band of Love Spirals Downwards' vocalist Suzanne Perry. This is her first new material in almost a decade, which continues seamlessly from where Love Spirals Downwards left off. Panamint is very much in the vein of Suzanne's previous band, a dreampop/janglepop crossover with soft acoustic guitar strumming combined with washes of atmospheric noise. Accomplice is very fine janglepop with dreampop hints, very much in the early 1990s style. Flicker could be described in much the same way, only a touch more introspective and melancholic in tone, and then towards the end it explodes into a huge burst of atmospheric noise. Un Parallel departs somewhat from the 90s sound; whilst it's still recognizably a dreampop/janglepop mix, it builds on the original formula with more mature and sophisticated rock touches. An impressive offering from this band, whose personnel's background in 90s dreampop means their new material is still very much in the original spirit of the genre.
In the early Nineties the Projekt label acquired a small, understated act that singlehandedly managed to take Ethereal music to a new level. Love Spirals Downwards featured multi-instrumentalist Ryan Lum and the gorgeous voice of a plaintive singer named Suzanne Perry. Together they crafted Dream Pop with a slight Shoegazer element that won over a sizable fanbase rabid in its devotion. While they seemed to share a mild commonality with the Cocteau Twins, LSD had a much more subdued and dreamier quality to their music. Perry's voice was distinctively accessible in comparison to Elizabeth Fraser, taking into consideration that you could actually make out much of what she was singing. On albums like '92's Idylls and '94's Ardor Perry revealed herself to be the singularly enchanting constant in the duo's approach. Even as Lum became slightly more adventurous and added Drum and Bass elements to the band's sound it was Perry's voice that rooted the act in the hearts of admirers.
Lum began to work with other vocalists, including Suzanne's sister Kristin, even as Love Spirals Downwards was experiencing a renaissance. Eventually the two parted ways with Lum recording under the abbreviated moniker Lovespirals (utilizing vocalist Anji Bee) and Perry taking part in an entirely new project called Melodyguild.
Based in Los Angeles, Melodyguild consists of Perry alongside former members of the Dream Pop act The Von Trapps (which was an extension of another act, Elysium). Matt Gleason handles the guitars with John West on bass and Nicholas Pallos providing percussion. Their debut has been hotly anticipated, especially considering how many times it has been delayed.
The sound of Melodyguild isn't far-removed from that of LSD, though it seems to possess a keener hold on clarity with a more straightforward, Indie Rock approach. This isn't to say that their debut EP, Aitu, isn't absolutely dreamy. In fact, the music seems to exist on a phantasmal plane that is less an extension of twilight's approach as it is the onset of a stirring, new dawn. And let's face it, our most chimerical dreams come to light well into the sleep cycle.
Most striking is the second track, "Accomplice," which begins with what sounds like backmasking cymbals, followed by ringing guitar tones and one of Perry's catchiest vocal melodies. The instrumental performance is lilting in and of itself, but it's that soothingly familiar voice that ushers in a humanistic warmth which embraces the listener unconditionally. The opening track, "Panamint," seems designed to appeal to LSD fans with strumming that brings to mind Ardor's most sublime moments. It's been much too long (over a decade) since we've been treated to these achingly intimate aural touches.
"Un Parallel" has a low-key bass line and gentle guitar that would be just as comfortable within one of French Duo Air's ambient soundscapes, yet the song builds to a swirling mid-section that straddles a fine line between tension and repose. Truly stirring in composition it showcases the abilities of the team with which Perry has chosen to align herself. Rounding out the too-brief, twenty-three minute set is "Flicker," the collection's most structurally standard song.
There really isn't a negative thing I can say about this release, though I will lament how quickly it passes by. If you aren't a fan of the style this probably isn't going to make you a convert, yet if you're somehow unfamiliar with Love Spirals Downwards or Dream Pop as a genre, this would make the perfect introduction to a brand of music that can ease the mind and bring solace to the spirit. Let's hope Melodyguild is sitting on an album's worth of material to be released shortly. -Christopher Roddy
To cleanse the palate a bit, let's shift into a kinder, gentler kind of gloom with the serenely tragic Melodyguild – the offspring of premier dream-pop band Love Spirals Downwards. Back in the days before “Alternative” was just another convenient industry label, Spirals helped establish the “dream pop” niche – along with groups like Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine, Claire Voyant and Black Tape for a Blue Girl – out of ethereal, introspective music that was truly an alternative to the annoying dance-pop of the early to mid-90s. Founded by Ryan Lum with Suzanne Perry on vocals, the band released six albums to worldwide acclaim before dissolving the original lineup in 2002.
Lum continued to release material under the shortened band name Lovespirals with singer Anji Bee at the mic, while Perry began to plan new material under the Melodyguild moniker, with an assist from former Von Trapps members Matt Gleason, John West and Nicholas Pallos. After a long hiatus, the first fruits of that labor have arrived in the form of their forthcoming 4-track EP Aitu.
Like Perry's past work, these tracks are rich with feeling – but the primary emotion at work here is one of wistful longing, a remembrance of things past. It's fitting really, because this music takes me back to a fine, brief era in independent music – when the seemingly at-odds goals of catchy melodies and dark, haunting moods came together within an old-school rock format and created something bigger than the sum of its parts.
The soaring, floating sensation of opener “Panamint” took me right back to this period with a wistful daydream sensation, but the tone lightens with “Accomplice,” a more lightweight (though still lyrically melancholy) confection of reverb-heavy fingered acoustic playing from Gleason beneath Perry's cotton-candy voice. “Flicker” is a lower-tempo ballad featuring some intricate, warm-toned bass work from West. But it's final cut “Un Parallel” that proves the most compelling of the set, with a twangy acoustic/electric lead awash in phase-heavy swirling atmosphere and a hypnotic lyrical motif, all of which rises and falls in waves of trepidation, finally breaking into a huge and powerful overdriven riff that is both unsettling and hypnotic.
I'd like to think Aitu was just a preliminary taste of the darkly tinged chill-out music that this band is capable of – but at 22 minutes, it's way too brief, and releases its hold just as I became swept up in its power. I'd like to imagine a full album is on Melodyguild's agenda, and I hope that day comes soon. -Gregory S. Burkart
Suzanne Perry is the legendary voice behind Love Spirals Downwards and for many there has been a hole in the ethereal scene that has been hard to fill since that band went defunct. With this disc she's back with 3 other talented musicians and a slightly new style and beautiful sound. These three new talents include Matt Gleason (guitars), Nicholas Pallos (Drums) and John West (bass). Our first introduction to this new project was with one of the Projekt holiday singles with a cover of "Sally's Song" from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Since then fans have been longing for new music from them, to hear more from Suzanne's haunting vocals, and we finally have it, though it's only four tracks, at least it's something and well worth the wait.
The disc is short and sweet with four beautifully haunting pieces. "Panamint" kicks off the album with a slow and dreamy sound that drifts along in melancholy splendor. A solid foundation of acoustic guitars, somber bass and soft percussion moves this piece along with Suzanne's soft voice. With a little swing and kick "Accomplice" picks up the pace and mood a bit with something seemingly bright and happy. This is a nice treat and something a little unexpected for the ethereal/shoegaze scene. However, it's not all surprises and something different. "Flicker" takes a page right out of the "guide to ethereal shoegazer music" with a soft lilting sound to start off the track and then slowly building and building to a climax of soaring guitars and vocals. This building style of raw emotion and power on such beautiful pieces is something that has attracted me to this style and held my attention all these years, the way these artists can take such a predictable song structure, yet make it new, powerful and interesting each time. The finale "Un Parallel" is another captivating track with a very slow and peaceful start moving across somber moods and melancholy soundscapes. In all the majesty and splendor the music builds once again with distant, soaring guitars lifting and driving the music along leaving the listener spellbound and entranced as each instrument becomes a voice of it's own and Suzanne's vocals mix and transform into another soaring instrument in the fray of it all.
With that we come to the end of this very short EP hoping and longing for more in the near future. Fans familiar with Love Spirals Downwards, Mira, Cocteau Twins and others will love this latest new work from this quartet, definitely track it down and pick it up. Rating: 5 out of 5
Pure shoegazer sound. The swaying distorted guitar notes of ‘Panamint’ already predict the tone of ‘Aitu’. Well toned, only drifting into instrumental wilderness in some songs and for short periods, guided by the voice line and peacefully gliding through choruses and melancholy. Suzanne Perry, better known as the vocalist for Love Spirals Downwards has united here excellent musicians for this honest sounding dream pop. Each element combines with the other, trading in their spotlight. The guitar sometimes seems to be three places at the same time, shifting between distorted notes, clean arpeggios, and sweet melodies. ‘Panamint’ as mentioned above, opens the record. It’s smooth composition comes to life with the voice melodies while the guitar tears itself shyly apart.
‘Accomplice’ moves into a popier sound, with a upbeat melody, small drum stops and a candid chorus. The band, which has been active as such for as long as five years now through live shows, manages to sway their music between styles, always keeping the thick instrumentation of shoegazing with the catchy life of pop, keeping a large portion of the ‘ethereal’ stigma that follows Love Spirals Downwards’ career. ‘Flicker’ bubbles after ‘Accomplice’ without a change in pace or structure – with a dreamy, naïve and delicate sounding melody. The guitar work is fuller, reminding in its clean notes of Cure’s ‘Disitengration’ and in its distortion to a lighter My Bloody Valentine.
It’s in ‘Un parallel’ that MelodyGuild change their tone, with a darker, elongated track. The guitar and voice take over half of the song, with a languid chorus and thick guitar notes. The end of the song is where all instruments go wild, where the guitars tear through the silence, screech and dither, where the drums crash and beat, where the bass line plows against the guitar like a backbone and the voice soars softly around it all. As I was saying, pure shoegazer sound.
Suzanne Perry, formerly of ethereal darlings Love Spirals Downward, returns at the helm of Melodyguild. Aitu isn't too far afield from Perry's earlier work: "Panamint" builds a lush, wavering song from acoustic guitar strums and a crescendo of indie rock guitars and drumming; "Accomplice" shimmers in a downtrodden, Sundays-esque way; "Flicker" marries deep bass rumblings to a melancholy atmosphere. Melodyguild it at its best on the epic-length "Un Parellel," a song that manages to build from dying embers back into a full blaze. The common thread throughout the EP is, of course, Perry's vocals, which are in fine form throughout. Aitu is definitely worth the wait for fans of Love Spirals Downward, even if it only whets the appetite for more. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars -Jack
Finalmente torna a cantare Suzanne Perry, la storica voce dei Love Spiral Downwards. Una manciata di album di incantevole dream-pop durante gli anni '90 e poi la separazione, artistica e sentimentale, con Ryan Lum - che ha deciso di continuare ad usare la sigla Lovespirals cambiando decisamente genere musicale. Suzanne invece ha cercato chi potesse ricreare quelle atmosfere sospese ed eteree dei dischi dei LSD trovando nei tre Melodyguild i giusti compagni di viaggio. Ci sono voluti cinque anni per assemblare questo ep di quattro tracce ma l'attesa è stata ripagata dalla cura con cui i Melodyguild hanno cucito intorno alla voce della Perry incantevoli melodie elettriche sospese tra malinconia e romanticismo. -ROBERTO MANDOLINI
It’s great to hear Suzanne Perry in her element once again. A one-time shoegazer vocalist for the ethereal band, Love Spirals Downward, Suzanne Perry brought to bear a marvelous “heavenly voice,” infusing Ryan Lum’s well developed musical explorations with a rainy-day reflective quality on their progressive classic recordings. That legacy is well secured on the small selection of Love Spirals Downward dream-pop classics.
On her latest recording, her first in almost ten years, she joins an assembled group interestingly named Melodyguild. The band is comprised of guitars, drums, and bass and is, at core, a dream-pop band. Their first work, Aitu, is a 4-track EP of their music as an introduction.
Aitu, a Polynesian word meaning ‘ghosts’ and ‘spirits’ certainly conjure these beings up easily enough. Although this EP is only four songs long, there is a feeling of familiarity here that never detracts from the music at hand, but serves to remind that Perry has more in her and that we deserve to hear it. Perry shines on her contributions, particularly on “Accomplice” and “Unparallel.”
Aitu reveals that given a strong chance, Melodyguild could hone the rough edges and develop to become a memorable band. With the trophy of Perry’s voice, it should be easily accomplished. Rating: 3.5 out of 5. -Matt Rowe
Semisweet like dark chocolate, you'll either love it, or it'll leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
The difference between musicians signed to Projekt Records rather than EBM-heavy labels like Alfa Matrix is that Projekt's bands fit more into the mold of a rock group - the standard quartet of vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and drummer, in variations. You'll also see Projekt bands with pianists or violinists at times, but you're less likely to witness two-person electronic synth projects bent of steaming up dance floors. The great aspect of Projekt bands is that they play ethereal dark rock, oftentimes interwoven with spectacular songwriting and vocal harmonies. Melodyguild fits that mold of emotional, atmospheric, yet easily digestible music. Their lyrics are poems set to warm melodies and indie rock riffs. Melodyguild's brief four tracks on Aitu are lovelorn professions sung by vocalist Suzanne Perry of Love Spirals Downward, who hasn't recorded an album in nearly a decade. Her cohorts are equally as talented as the musicians' genuine rock skill and dreamy pop qualities make them memorable. The 22-odd minute collection contains four easy-to-swallow capsules of aural medicine. Although in Polynesian languages, the word "Aitu" refers to malevolent spirits or ghosts, Melodyguild's CD is far from ill-disposed. The songs are straightforward and current without veering into intense darkwave or futuristic territory. Instead, Melodyguild does on Aitu what most good Projekt bands similar to Mira do: create a cohesive, shoegazing group of gentle, inoffensive tracks. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 -Leslie Benson
Esce con la Projekt Records AITU, dopo una serie di singoli e collaborazioni di tutto rispetto ed un esordio al pubblico (con la vecchia formazione del gruppo) nel 2002 al Club Violaine, dove è stato scoperto anche il fondatore dei Cocteau Twins. La band di Los Angeles ha sonorità tipiche americane, in questo ultimo lavoro perdono il leggero influsso jazz precedente per proporre delle ballate molto belle e d'atmosfera. Un Dream Pop adattissimo alla colonna sonora d'un film sentimentale e un po'drammatico assolutamente americano. Le canzoni sono molto semplici, coerenti e di facile ascolto (Sul loro sito personale sono disponibili solo per l'ascolto le tracce di AITU). Assolutamente niente di nuovo ma un lavoro molto buono.
Melodyguild is nothing less but the new project of Suzanne Perry, better known for her involvement in Love Spirals Downwards. She teams up here with a new band with a rather typical line up (guitar & bass drum) for a result that sounds more than satisfying. The soft ballads we discover on this 4-track ep are maybe not a total commercial breakthrough (though a song like “Accomplice” is definitely catchy) but turn out to be pleasant pieces of music with a slight melancholic twist. The final track, a long and epic cut of more than 7 minutes closes this ep with a darker and more tortured sound. Melodyguild is certainly a band that deserves to grow a bit more before finding its equilibrium. No doubt that a full release might see the light of day soon. Rating: 6/7 CF