Various - Sci-Fi-Lo-Fi Vol 3 compiled by Rob Da Bank

SHOEGAZER TRIP

Having spun off from Soma’s Sci-Fi-Hi-Fi compilations of 2005 onwards, their lo-fi offshoot has now grown arms and legs. Following in the eclectic fingertips of Andrew Weatherall and Damian Lazarus, this collection from Robert Gorham aka Rob Da Bank treks a defiant path, that of the fearless shoegazer (1985–2007). So, hold on to your effects pedals folks, as we get Maps, Ride, Lush and other acts of more than four letters, including epic slabs of sound from Chapterhouse, Spiritualized and Dinosaur Jr.

Only My Bloody Valentine seem a blatant omission from the 15 bands chosen but the overriding emotion is a sense of astonished regard that a scene which celebrated itself barely differed from its Velvet Underground default template drawn up three decades ago.

(Soma Records)