Wharf Cat US Vinilo y CD

Review: Massachusetts indie/shoegaze fivesome Drop Nineteens follow up their last album Delaware with a melancholic ride, Hard Light, painting a road-trippy picture of a band having come a long way. Indeed, they'll happily go down in history as having contributed instrumentally to the emergence of the US shoegaze scene, in what was otherwise beforehand considered, in the words of journalist Greg Ackell, "the American outlier in a largely British scene". The band carry that legacy with them here, bringing together eleven new, nostalgic originals under the wing of an honest, contemporary and hopeful sound.

Review: Drop Nineteens' album Delaware captures the essence of the shoegaze movement with its fuzzy guitars, serene harmonies, and dissonant melodies. While the band's sound draws comparisons to My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive, their lack of mainstream success can be attributed to the rise of grunge and bands like Smashing Pumpkins in the early 90s. The album has many moments of brilliance, such as the sprawling noise of 'Kick the Tragedy' and the catchy melodies of 'Madonna' and 'Happen.' However, some tracks fall flat with generic riffs and uninspired songwriting. Delaware includes strong vocal performances by Greg Ackell and Paula Kelley, particularly on tracks like 'Reberrymemberer.' Overall, Delaware is a very worthwhile listen for fans of the shoegaze movement or late 80s alternative/indie music.