Slowdive Album: “Just for a Day [Bonus Tracks]”

Put away the main disc "Just For a Day," it is the B-sides that come with this remastered edition that truly make the album worthwile. The fantastic "Slowdive" song, their namesake, is a drugged out wonder of floating guitars. "Morningrise" being another similar wonder. And "Golden Hair" reaching almost ecstatic joy, with it's grand finish after the liturgical reading of James Joyce's poem. Please do not misunderstand, the original "Just For A Day" album was alright. It has it's own highlights as well. Slowdive's trademark sound is heard in it's early stages, more bombastic and raw than their later albums. But it is in thebonus disc that comes with this edition where they truly shine.

This is undoubtably the version of this album to get. The headlining disc "Just For A Day" is an enjoyable listen and rates four stars, but is probably the least of Slowdive's releases. Still, "Spanish Air," "Catch the Breeze," and "Primal" all rank among the band's better moments. The bonus disc, featuring Slowdive's early EPs is the main reason to buy this. Here is a breakdown of those EPs:

Slowdive- Slowdive, Avalyn 1, Avalyn 2

The band first release is a little low-fi compared to their other recordings. The songwriting is not yet fully developed either. Still, these tracks create an atmosphere that no other band can make, and it's interesting to hear the band's humble beginning.

Morningrise- Morningrise, She Calls, Losing Today

Both the production and the songwriting take a big step up for this EP. The leading track is a highlight and Slowdive's tidal wave of sound is in full effect.

Holding Our Breath- Catch the Breeze, Golden Hair, Shine, Albatross

This is my favorite of all Slowdive's releases (besting even Souvlaki). Catch the Breeze has one of the band's best melodies and makes for a great leading track, although you'll have to burn

another CD or program your ipod as this song appears on the first disc. Golden Hair may best Syd Barrett's recording with Rachel Goswell's etherial vocals and the truly majestic coda. This track almost imperceptibly melds into the equally large sounding Shine. Then the band plunges into darkness (although beautiful darkness) for the somewhat threatening sounding Albatross.

Peel Session 21/4/91- Catch the Breeze, Shine, Golden Hair

This is a good representation of Slowdive's ability to recreate their dense sound in a live setting. Catch the Breeze and Shine are similar to the studio versions, although clearly lacking in production spit and polish. The notable track here is another version of Golden Hair sung by Neil Halstead instead. It gives the track an interesting change in tone.

This release, along with the 2-disc Souvlaki, provides a comprehensive view of Slowdive. Those who want to explore further may want search for the hard-to-find Pygmalion. That album has a very different approach to Slowdive's dreamy sound, and seems to be more of a Neil Halstead solo album than a band effort, but it is a more than worth edition to the Slowdive catalog.

Anyone who would spring for this remastered version is probably already familiar with the original album. What makes this indispensible is not so much the remastering, but the bonus disc. Slowdive's first two EP's plus the Peel Session tapes show the band at their heaviest and most blissed out. The first song "Slowdive," with it's monolithic, repeated, over-driven guitar figure, controlled feedback, wall of sound production, and the blended vocals of Rachel and Neil is by itself worth the price of admission and will probably come as a revelation to those familiar only with the lighter, gentler Slowdive of "Souvlaki" and "Pygmalion." Albatross, Golden Hair (both versions) and Avalyn I & II are just about as good. I got into a bidding war on E-bay a few months ago for the band's first three EP's and dropped out when the price got up to around $100. This is a steal, and so is the remastered "Souvlaki" with the rest of the 18 songs on another bonus disc that the band recorded that never appeared on their three full-length albums.

Though I had been aware of Slowdive I didn't actually order this album until recently, and I was delighted. This is some of the most gorgeous music you'll ever hear. There's not really much more to say than that- this album is bliss, through and through, and easily among the best works of the time.

Although not as awe-inspiring as their second album (Souvlaki), Slowdive's debut is a wonderful piece of work of melancholy beauty, drenched in effects and reverb to create that huge sound that has influenced so many followers. A classic of its time. The addition of the early EPs (especially the classic track LOSING TODAY) just makes this an even more essential purchase.