loveless by japancakes

Back in 1989, Kevin Shields took My Bloody Valentine on a journey through 2 years, 19 recording studios and a rumored £250,000 that almost sent their label into bankruptcy. At the end of the journey, they had Loveless - one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the 1990s.

Since the release of Loveless in 1991, My Bloody Valentine have been largely inactive until very recently, going their separate ways to collaborate with other artists. During these years, however, Loveless has continued to receive praise for its influence over other artists of their generation. Artists like The Cure, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, Phish, Guided by Voices and Radiohead have all claimed Loveless as a great influence and inspiration.

Last year, however, the album received the highest form of praise - imitation. Athens, Ga. instrumentalists Japancakes have covered the album in its entirety, replacing distortion with clarity, vocals with pedal steel and cello, ambient organ with rumbling piano, and shoegazing with shoegazing. The result is beautiful.

Japancakes' version of Loveless was released on November 13, 2007, quickly succeeding the release of their October 9 release, Giving Machines. Both albums were released by Darla Records.

My Bloody Valentine have also been busy recently, announcing a tour and an album release for 2008.

Japancakes - Only Shallow (mp3)