Deux Visages : "Call it Goodbye"

 This shoegaze trio balances the sublime swath of sound with melodies that are more dream pop to keep things from becoming dense with ambiance. The warble of effected guitar that recalls My Bloody Valentine has become a staple of the genre andd while present, it is not all they limit themselves to. "Always  You" is the lead single from this album, but it does not candy-coat anything for airplay. The verses do back off alittle to let the vocals come through mroe but that is all the mainstream conformity they engage in, which just lends to stronger dynamics. This kind of restraint tells me they are not jsut trying to make drugged-out sounds but care about the songs. 

It's 'Behind" that has a marginally more mainstream feel, if we are talking about what htey mainstream was in the 90s. The vocals stay light and sugary; the music under her backs off a bit more at times, but converges back in to let the dynamics punch. "Missed Calls" has more of a punk bounce to it, though sitting firmly in the 90s indie rock-post-grunge feel.'Automatic" is grounded by a hefty bass line that adds a darker color to the alternative whimsy. I appreciate the melancholy of Afterthought when they step on the distortion pedals and rock it out, the feel getting submerged below the surface. 

There is a weirdly upbeat mood to "Fleeting Wishes". The bass line keeps it moving in a different direction against the swell atmosphere. It finds dynamic contrast in the punches, but it is a song that will take a few listens to fully click. At a minute and a half, "Silhouette " is more like an interlude than a fully formed song, but when the drums kick in, they try to argue otherwise. The drums lay back and create space on "Paint Myself Blue". It gives her youthful vocal approach room to wander in its musings. The wall of sound crashes back in on a wave of fuzz. You can hear the Lush influence on this one. 

"Pixelate" has a more angular feel that still forms its own groove. The title track closes the album with a fuzzed jangle. The bass player once again keeps things held down, and the verses give her room to sing. It is a formual that works without being overt. They are more uptempo on this one, closing the album with a brisk energy. Her lyrics cut through the layers more easily on this one. I really like what they are doing; it's one of the years best shoegaze albums that is not afraid to show they can play their instruments nad rock out. 

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