My Bloody Valentine: Isn't Anything (Import) Vinyl LP

Official import pressing of MBV's Isn't Anything, the 1988 predecessor to Loveless! Vintage 2006 review from Lab favorite Bob Bannister:

This is their other album. And no, it's not as good as Loveless. But if you have made out for two hours and passed the fuck out after drinking an entire fifth of E&J Brandy at the tender age of 13, then one My Bloody Valentine album may just not be enough. Not really breaking new ground here - we get the same shimmering sheets of fuzz and whammy bar and incoherent Kevin Shields-isms - but it's still a solid listen. These guys basically made it OK for bands like Bardo Pond and Flying Saucer Attack (aka the Boss effects patrol) to exist. Whether that's a good thing or not, I'm not quite sure, but if you're old or young enough to know what microdots are, none of that shit matters anyway. I remember seeing these dudes perform "Soft as Snow" at Roseland over 10 years ago and the intro drums made a speaker topple over and broke some kid's nose. I guess you have to hive some serious mic action to compete with those guitars. "Cupid Come" has always been my joint on here. It's just a little more subtle and less formulaic than a lot of the other 'yes we have big muff and reverb voice I sing about being lonely' shit that can get to be a little tedious. But there's not really a bad song on here.

• black vinyl pressing
• UK import
• gatefold sleeve
• digital download included
• limited edition
• catalog #: REWIGLP158
• original release year: 1988
• music label: Domino 2021

reviewed by Bob Bannister 05/2005