Teen Brains - Translucent
Based around the heavy use of effects, distortion and feedback, along with ethereal vocals buried in the mix, shoegaze grew out of C86 indie before being swept aside by grunge and Britpop. Elements were resurrected in both post-rock and, more obviously, nu-gaze. In 2016, it is maybe surprising to hear a band as in thrall to shoegaze as Teen Brains seem to be but, hey, there are worse influences to have.
The four tracks here adhere to the template laid down by the likes of Slowdive, Lush and even Flying Saucer Attack. That isn't here the whole story, though. There's an urgency here that was too often missing from the records put out by the progenitors of the scene. It is this that stops this being blind tribute or, worse, pastiche.
So, this is hardly original but In A Haze and Wash Away, in particular, show that Teen Brains could be something quite special if they can develop their own sound and let their own personalities shine through. Until then, this is good – rather than outstanding - and well worth a listen.
7/10
