If you intend to summarize the wide U.K. and U.S. indie scenes from the late '80s to the early '90s, you could listen to the Ghost Lullaby (http://www.theghostlullaby.com) and receive a proper education. Whether it was their intention or not, the Ghost Lullaby offer a mirror reflection to the glory days of alternative from both sides of the modern-rock shore.
The opening cut "Dirty" not only shares the title of a Sonic Youth album but the downtempo fuzz rock that made them critical darlings as well. Look to "Candle" as a point of reference with vocalist Perrin Newell capturing Thurston Moore's dour, Lou Reed-influenced tone. Newell shares singing duties with Valerie Aiello, whose Goth schoolgirl sweetness recalls Lush in the 4AD prime.
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The Ghost Lullaby veers from violent dissonance to dreamy richness; it's a bipolar disorder that is consistently mesmerizing. On "Delicate Ways," the Ghost Lullaby reach the grindhouse decibel levels of Sub Pop-era Nirvana, pounding the pavement with "Negative Creep"-loud riff rock. But then the band glides downward with the shoegazer prettiness of "Texture," which could be compared to Ride and Catherine Wheel except that it's a woman on board.
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