Is Bliss - Velvet Dreams
by Anthony Strutt
published: 22 / 12 / 2016

Label:
Club AC30
Format: 12"
intro
Blissed out shoegaze/psychedelia on debut 12 inch vinyl only EP from Portsmouth-based band Is Bliss
'Velvet Dreams' is the debut EP from Portsmouth-based three-piece Is Bliss who really work for me. They take the magic of shoegaze bands and then throw some psychedelia into the mix. Released on 12 inch in a combination of splattered clear/blue vinyl, it sold out instantly. It opens with 'Morning Sun', which hypnotises me to the bone with its jangle in the same way that Slowdive have done to me in the past. 'Realise' has the instant charm of 4AD Records and their signing Lush. Jimmy Stuart's vocals melt almost in a Cocteau Twins way that is mystical and magical. 'Truth' is deeper and, more like Stoner rock, as moody as The Cure's darker moments. 'Ocean Blue' opens the B-side and goes back to jangle with hip bass and solid drum work while the vocals swim in and outside of its grooves. 'Lure' ends the EP, and is seductive and charming again in a Lush/Slowdive manner. A beautiful record to look at and a feast for the ears.
Track Listing:-
1 Morning Sun2 Realise
3 Truth
4 Ocean Blue
5 Lure
Band Links:-
https://en-gb.facebook.com/isblissband/https://twitter.com/isblissuk
Label Links:-
http://store.clubac30.com/https://www.facebook.com/clubac30
https://twitter.com/clubac30
digital downloads
most viewed articles
current edition
Robby Krieger - Set The Night on Fire, Living, Dying, And Playing Guitar with The DoorsBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Lida Husik - Interview
Cathal Coughlan - Interview
Rick Wakeman - Interview
Peter Doherty and Frederic Lo - Cavern Club, Liverpool, 27/3/2022
Cliff Richard - Not Fade Away
Simon Bromide - Interview
Candlelight Tribute to Coldplay - Manchester Cathedral, Manchester, 1/4/2022
Wolfgang Flur - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Rupert Wates - For The PeopleBanjo Jen - Fine Line
Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri - The Long Ride Home
Bonham-Bullick - Bonham-Bullick
Dead South - Easy Listening for Jerks Parts 1 and 2
Family - A Song for Me
Loop - Sonancy
Stereophonics - Oochya!
John Mayall - The Sun is Shining Down
Weather Station - How Is It That I Should Look At The Stars
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Adrian P
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Carl Bookstein
Chris O'Toole
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank