Loop - Fade Out (Re-issue)

Label: Reactor
Catalogue Number: REACTOR03CD
Format: CD
Date: 2008
Style: Alternative, Post Rock
Rating: 9/10
Reviewer: Sidney James

For me Loop, alongside My Bloody Valentine were one of the most important UK alternative rock bands of the late Eighties.

Whilst the US alternative scene was still a burgeoning underground of talent and ideas, the post punk revolution in the UK had run its course and had either collapsed into shambling 60's retro rock, cutie schmindie C86 pop or Nth generation Goth or Industrial funk. In this climate of reductionism and re-tread MBV and Loop shone brightly as new and creative lights. Whilst the influence of MBV continued into the early 90's shoe gaze scene and has been resurfaces again via both the fringes of dance music and metal, the long time impact of Loop has not been so expansive. Which makes the current serious of re-issues a massive blessing and let us re-evaluate the band again.

Fade Out was the band's second album and is regarded by most fans and critics as their creative peak. Sucking in influences from 60's Psych rock, Krautrock and Post Punk. Fade Out is a one hell of a hypnotic journey. Heavy on repetition and rhythm, Loop create a lock groove of psychedelic sonics that undulates, throbs and skids and draws the listener into a unrelenting mind altering world.

From the rhythmic pulse of Black Sun and Pulse to the heady bliss of Torched and Got to Get It Over, Fade Out sounds drags the listener into a unique and mesmerising sonic world. Part bliss-out and part sonic attack, Fade Out drags you in by scrambling your head but at the same time force you to move to the rhythmic undertow. Its a marriage of post punk anti-groove and sonic guitar bliss which separates them co-patriots like Spacemen 3 and the more modern post-rock and post metal bands. Only 5ive recently have come close to matching Loop on this front.

Where Loop succeeds where a lot of the later Post Rock bands fail is that they actually know how to write a song, rather than simply create an atmosphere or bore with the regurgitation of the overused post Mogwai, quiet loud dynamic. Where as modern bands like Explosions In The Sky sprawl and hide behind well worn tactics, Loop are concise, focussed and attacking.

On a sonic level the re-masters are fantastic, no overdriven brick walling of sound, just clarity and depth. The collection of bonus tracks on the second disc of the Fade Out set, is equally as impressive, from alternative takes and Peel Sessions to unreleased guitar loops which hint at the music Robert Hampson would create in his post Loop project Main.

All in all, the Fade Out re-master is well worth spending your pennies on. If you're already a Loop fan then the re-master and bonus tracks will more than meet your needs. If your new to Loop , then Fade Out will make you wonder why the band why they have been mainly overlooked since their heyday.