Johnquest- #20, 1987 - ECSTASY by My Bloody Valentine

ECSTASY (EP) | MY BLOODY VALENTINE

The first (!!) album I listened to as part of Johnquest was not an album at all! It was an Ep. This Ep. The one we're reviewing here.

it was surprisingly hard to find a copy of this EP conducive to my usual music listening habits- “listening while I do other things that may or may not be in places with internet access”. I managed to find an upload of it (well, the compilation album it was later released on) on the internet archive. Yay internet archive!!!

I figure it's also worthwhile to mention that up until this I'd never properly listened to MBV. That's probably surprising on account of my being a noted 80s Music Guy. This will probably not be the last time I'll say that here. The closest I've ever gotten to listening was when a friend of mine put on one of their records and immediately took it off because it wasn't “good studying music”. Having now listened to them, that feels like bullshit. I realize I'm not the most conventional when it comes to music that helps me focus (Uboa has been my go-to as of late.) but I think it's fair to say that MBV is one of those bands that you can do almost anything to. Even repainting porches- which is what I was doing.

OVERALL VERDICT:

This EP is an excellent one. Delightfully jangly. Only twenty minutes but twenty minutes of that delightfully destructive late eighties crooning. The kind that sounds fucking incredible but which is also great to cry to. It's a specific kind of multipurpose emoting which I find hard to find nowadays. It enraptured me immediately and did not let go. Good music to do stuff to- and if this is #20, the others in this year must've been Insanely Good. I guess I know I've got some treats coming up but MAN. this is #20? This? You're sure I'm not doing this chart in reverse?

TRACK BY TRACK:

1. She Loves You No Less has lyrics that sound pretty much how the idea of ‘by bloody valentine’ sounded in my head before I knew what they were. The words are angsty and only slightly dark. The music, however? It’s like the auditory equivalent of a fucking waterfall. I love jangle rock. And this song surely delivers! It kept me cool in the hot Saskatchewan sun. All good jangle rock should do this.

2. The Things I miss is another jangly, poetic one- albeit a bit harsher, with more audible vocals. More understandable vocals. Maybe I’m just bad at hearing vocals. It half-reminds me of Einstürzende Neubauten’s take on Sand- if it came as less of a shock by means of “being on an album which is in the same genre as it is.” It’s very vast and expansive, like a beach at low tide but with less Dead Jellyfish Everywhere. And less clams. And les sun. And less promise that the ocean will come back at some point. I dig it. There’s a nice plunk-y synth in the back too. VAY NICE.

3. I Don’t Need You is the kind of song you can dance to while grieving the world’s worst relationship. I feel like it’s probably up there in terms of my favourite tracks. It’s very vindictive at times. Feels teenaged in a good way. Still feels oceanic. But with extra pain! I love a song where the singer is lying to themself and I think this reads to me as an example of that. I don’t think this guy is being fully honest with himself. Very nice.

4.(You’re) Safe in Your Sleep (From This Girl) has, for starters, an INCREDIBLE title. I too am scared of some women. I think most people are. I think anyone who’s ever gone through a messy-patch-to-breakup would appreciate this one. From title alone. It’s also very good. I keep saying that. That’s because it’s a good album. EP. Whatever. Shocking no one.

5. Clair has some late 60s vibes that I really like. I can imagine the 13th Floor Elevators covering it. I feel like the choice of spelling of Clair is befitting. It’s clear in french! The air is clear! It fits the song’s discussion of the sky and nature and dewdrops. Seriously, though, how do I travel back in time and convince, like, Federal Duck to cover this? Hell, even a neo-psychedelia person like Eleanor On Earth. It’s not a need yet but it’s a very powerful want.

6. You’ve Got Nothing feels like a very bittersweet love (lust?) song that’s only a little bit other stuff. I think a lot of my ship-enjoying … audience? Would like this one. I think I need to re-listen through this album thinking about it aromantically. Very good chorus. It’ll stick with me.

7. (Please) Lose Yourself In Me Is another more rockin’ one. Listen to those tambos. It’s excellent. God, I wish I listened to this album while driving. It has a really solid beat and despite being very depressing in terms of, like, actual words being said, it feels very driven. Most of these songs are for being by the ocean to. This one’s for forests. It’s a good closer!

If you like this EP, you might also like: FOXHEADS STALK THIS LAND by CLOSE LOBSTERS, WASPS’ NESTS by THE 6THS, or TRANSLATE SLOWLY by THE REVIERS

Next Review | Back to JQ index