Review: Pure X- Pleasure

I don't know too much about Pure X, other than the fact that they had to change their name and that they're from Austin. That being said, they're boring...in the best kind of way. "Pleasure" is a fitting title for an album of My Bloody Valentine like guitars and dreamy vocals, these guys have concocted a formula that works simply because it makes you feel good without feeling bad about it, a hard feat to pull of in the current landscape. Listening to this album as many times as I have, I will tell you it's best on headphones and while going to sleep. The album also boasts some of the best guitar work I've heard on an album this year, whether it's the gritty production or these guys are fucking talented, you can tell they aren't being lazy.

Album opener "Heavy Air" is a nice instrumental track showcasing the best talents of the band sans vocals. The bulk of the album is pretty low key and most of it's pretty moody. In fact, "Easy" may be the only upbeat (if you can really call it that) track on the album, it's also the highlight of an album that's pretty tightly packed and is reminiscent of Panda Bear-like vocals. The harmonious vocals are some of the best parts of this album simply because they aren't overdone or overdubbed, it sounds natural and it doesn't sound like a guy just trying to fill some space over a smooth track. "Easy" also goes into a noisy track near the end full of dreamy and lush guitar and drum to satisfy your headbobbers.

Songs like "Voices" and "Dry Ice" will also satisfy fans who want to move heads to 90's shoegaze rock. This all would lead one to believe Pure X with some buzz and another couple of albums could reach a stage where they can be at the forefront of a nu-gaze movement. The MBV comparions are pretty apt and these guys could make J. Spacemen clap, though they aren't that depressed and probably won't write an album as upsetting as "Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space". In a sense, we hope this is one Austin band that most of us would hope stay put because the city needs a savior different from your Spoon's, Okkervil's, and to a lesser extent, your Trail of Dead's.

Pure X have been building buzz around the Austin area and for good reason. It's a terrific start for a band who has a sound that's easy to love by a group of guys who are actually good at it. Critics and music fans alike will always have a soft spot for shoegaze rock, simply because it was the last time a movement within the rock and roll community heard something that changed the way we heard the guitar. This is an album written by guys who were more inspired by "Loveless" or Spacemen 3 rather than "Nevermind" or "Ten", and for that, we're grateful for another 90's inspired album that makes us remember why we love the community to begin with.

**** 1/2 out of *****

-bro sport