Slowdive Album: “Pygmalion”

This is my current desert island album. It's a classic. It's better than OK computer, Sgt Peppers, Pet Sounds, Dark Side of the Moon, Revolver etc....and it's sound is very unique. THINK: ambient+krautrock+shoegazer+goth - or - swoopy guitars+cliCKs+BLEEPS+muffled M/F vocals+repitition+silence. It's almost like a good flying saucer attack record - only better. It's an original multi-purpose masterpiece you can use for any occasion -- parties, weddings, funerals, wakes, elections.... It also helps you to sleep if you feel imsomnia-ish. It's a kind-of less is moreish album more or less.

Althogh `Souvlaki' is widely considered to be Slowdive's creative peak, (even Souvlaki's liner notes say so) you should buy Pygmalion too, and then make your OWN mind up.

Slowdive were getting better and better, but after they released Pygmalion they disbanded and re-banded as the M.O.R.-esque and comparitively boring "Mojave Three". I will never understand this BIZARRE turn of events.

Pygmalion = Essential listening.... thank you.

i have been waiting to write something constructive about -pygmalion- for several years now.

originally released in 1995, -pygmalion- was slowdive's last hurrah, and essentially, a neil halstead solo record. the group's american record label did not release it in the states, claiming it would alienate fans as it did several members of the band.

-pygmalion- cannot be found anywhere in the US... i happen to own it because of my deep love for slowdive and a certain eAuction web site. it cost me fifty bucks out of japan, and is one of the best albums i own.

the record's sparse arrangements recall the best moments of -just for a day- and -souvlaki-, leading one to believe it is not the hard listen that the record company originally felt it was. over the past ten years, the myth of -pygmalion- has grown into cult, leading many fellow shoegazers to seek out the grail that is slowdive's third record.

the album's opener "rutti" recalls an influence of factory record's durutti column, and the bleak beeps and silence of "miranda" draw one into a hellishly introspective nightmare. "all of us" and "blue skied an' clear" end slowdive's thoughtful and poignant three-album career, leaving one thirsty for more.

while slowdive's subsequent country-ish incarnation of MOJAVE 3 leaves much to be desired for shoegazer fans, you can rest assured knowing that, for those who missed it, -pygmalion- doesn't disappoint.

This is indeed brilliant stuff, as is all of Slowdive's catalogue--I can't wait for the re-release of the early EP's on the bonus discs that are to accompany the re-releases of "Just for a Day" and "Souvlaki." Some of the tunes can be found on "Catch the Breeze" but they're so incredible one should have the EP's in their entirety (despite what the idiots at AMG say). Pygmalion CAN, however, be found domestically. I picked up the 2005 Creation import at Virgin at Mockingbird Station in Dallas just last night (seriously) for $20.99. A sticker on the cellophane wrapper proclaimed "Virgin Import" so check out the computer inventory at your local Virgin Megastore. I must admit that I DID almost wet my pants when it came up "in stock." Worth twice the price easily if you're a Slowdive fan.

I remember seeing Ride at the Metro in Chicago in the early '90's(1991, I think). This band called Slowdive opened for them and blew me away! I soon bought everything "Slowdive" I could get my hands on--3 EP's and the LP Just For A Day. I love everything this band ever put out. The musical styles changed slightly from EP's to Just For A Day to Souvlaki. Then the styles changed dramatically from Souvlaki to the In Mind EP's to Pygmalion. Pygalion in their swan song and a dandy. It's a very influencial album. By this album, the distorted guitars and heavy drums are long gone, replaced with slow tempo music and computerized loops. Anyone who enjoys Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins and/or Sigur Ros, will love this album.

--Aaron K.

This album is the long-lost Slowdive album. Originally issued in 1995 it quickly fell into obscurity due to poor reviews and subsequently poor sales and hasn't been re-issued since. Fortunately, it is now back in print and remastered. But be warned, while it still retains a strong Slowdive feel, it is a far departure from both 'Just for a Day' and 'Souvlaki'. It is actually more atmoshperic and dream-like. Some have accused it of sounding too much like a new-age album, but I don't think that's true simply because the songs are way too depressing to be "new-age". But the same is true of all their albums.