Film School
Hideout

If there is one group that deserves the label nugaze, it's Film School.

This is the third work of 2007 and the latest released so far. The album is formally impeccable. All the typical shoegaze atmospheres are there. Obviously drawing a little from here, a little from there. When listening, you can catch Slowdive melodies, Chapterhouse, Curve, Swervedriver in turn. A bit of everyone. Even Catherine Wheel in "Compare." Listen to believe. What else could a shoegaze enthusiast want then? Well, the leap in quality never comes, the distinctiveness typical of shoegaze is never felt, even though the melodies are pleasant to listen to. In turn, the enchanting voice of Rachel Goswell is missing, the cheerfulness of Curve, the sixties-reprise of Swervedriver, the grit of Catherine Wheel.

I don't want to be harsh by saying it's music for broadcasting (that would be exaggerated and unfair) but walls of electric guitar and background female choruses without any incisiveness reduce the work to a mere exercise in style. It's worth repeating; it is still a formally impeccable exercise. But in reality, it remains a nostalgic album. Worth listening to. But without spending too much money on it though. Alex