Loop
Fade Out

"Fade Out" by Loop: A Psychedelic Journey into the Infinite Dissolution of Music

In the vast landscape of the British post-rock scene of the '80s, few have managed to so masterfully blend the rich heritage of kraut and early '70s psychedelic rock as the Loop. The album "Fade Out" presents itself as a sound odyssey through psychedelic dimensions, where the past symbiotically merges with the future, creating an immersive and surreal listening experience. "Fade Out" emerges as a milestone in their discography, alongside "A Gilded Eternity," channeling a psychedelic energy that borders on pure sensory delirium.

Imagining a sound picture of Loop is equivalent to painting an irresistible mix of the 1969 Stooges, the experimental minimalism of the 1970 Can, and the space-rock of Hawkwind. The guitars, drenched in effects, turn into instruments of evocation, conveying emotions that go beyond mere auditory perception.

The influence of Spacemen 3 is evident (Sonic Boom once said: "Yes, they really ripped us off!!! The cover of their first record, their sound, their live shows, practically everything. Their first gigs were supporting us. The first time they took acid was when we gave it to them. Then they started calling themselves Loop. Their first album was good, but it was nothing we hadn't already done."), although Loop delve into the abyss of experimentation with a boldness that places them in a separate dimension. But honestly, while I appreciate the Loop, I consider the music of Spacemen 3 superior.

Experimentation is revealed as the master key that unlocks doors of meaning in "Fade Out." The band follows in the krautrock's footsteps, pushing the guitar to explore psychedelic territories, almost to the point of exploding into wild bursts of creativity. These culminating moments, through the skillful use of effects and sound manipulations, transform the listening into an almost mystical experience.

The Rough Trade reissue adds five bonuses, including covers of the Pop Group and Can. Their version of "Thief of Fire" by Pop Group slows down the frenzy of the original to an almost indolent pace, yet still expresses all of Mark Stewart's exasperated voice. "Mother Sky" by Can is more faithful to the original, with its 11-minute length and the same guitar hum and tumultuous drumming on which the original thrives.

In conclusion, "Fade Out" is, in my opinion, the masterpiece of the Loop (although Julian Cope preferred "A Gilded Eternity"), a work where psychedelia and experimentation embrace in a heady whirl. A journey into the sonic eternity, where past and future dance together, slowly dissolving into an ethereal atmosphere that lingers in time.