My Bloody Valentine's Loveless

Description

Loveless remains an enigma, 15 years after its release - an album so influential and groundbreaking that its chief creator, Kevin Shields, has been unable or unwilling to release an official follow-up. In his book, Mike McGonigal talks to all the members of My Bloody Valentine, in an almost certainly futile attempt to get at the essence of this extraordinary record.

Mike McGonigal has written about music and art since 1984, when he started the fanzine Chemical Imbalance. An occasional curator, sculptor and DJ, Mike edits the arts journal YETI and resides in Portland, Oregon. He really needs to get out more.

Mike McGonigal's take on one of the biggest music geek albums ever is a brief and entertaining read that pulls the curtains back on this widely influential shoegaze classic. In-depth information on recording sessions and interviews conducted for the book with band leader Kevin Shields and his ex bandmate/lover Bilinda Butcher shine a blinding light on the album and why there was never a followup. -- Nick Hyman * Under the Radar * "Loveless" by My Bloody Valentine is one of the best albums on Earth. The 33 1/3 Series...has done a brilliant thing by having McGonigal writing a wonderful book about the album. -- Todd E. Jones * The Tripwire * Want to impress your chums with your vast knowledge of contemporary classic albums such as Sonic Youth's Daydream Nation or the Stone Roses' seminal debut but don't have time to actually listen to them? No problem. Just pick up the relevant copy of the 33 1/3 series and hey presto, overnight musical genius * stuff * Former Pitchfork contributor Mike McGonigal recalls the long sessions that produced the unlikely hit, which lasted upwards of two years and took place in too many studios to count. McGonigal relates a bizarre and often hilarious story (the album, insists one band member, was delayed by heated chicken-eating contests), but never lets the bold personalities obscure the even bolder music. -- Stephen M. Deusner * Pitchfork *