The High Violets--To Where You Are

After working for almost 3 years on an album, you expect the product to simply blow you away. The High Violets simply do that, whether you’re expecting it or not. These soon-to-be-stars of shoegaze have headlined at The Shoegazer’s Ball for 3 years running, been added 2nd most on CMJ charts, and have been credited for helping the new shoegaze movement. "To Where You Are" is the band’s second album, and lives up to the hype.

Wow. So why’s everyone making such a big deal about The High Violets? Because they exemplify what shoegaze should be. Songs like "Cool Green" have psychedelic dreamy effects to them, added with a touch of distorted guitar, and iced with the truly ethereal voice of Kaitlyn ni Donavan. That can not be stressed enough, her vocals are soft, flowing, angelic, and the perfect touch to an otherwise standard shoegaze band.

This album effectively uses the multitudes of effects that shoegazers are famous for, both in the instruments and in the vocals. The result is a spinning world that’s really not quite of this world. One could easily put The High Violets’ style up with My Bloody Valentine and Cocteau Twins.

Lush instrumental worlds are crafted by The High Violets, in a way that is hard to describe. They create starry worlds that rush and spin and rotate around the sensual vocals. The High Violets live up to the hype and probably deserve more. They could easily be the herald-bearers for a new shoegaze era, and we should hear more of their name in the future.

(Published at ComfortComes.com)