Review: Drop the Fear – Self-Titled

The comparisons to the Cocteau Twins are going to be rampant even though they aren’t exactly accurate. Neither the guitars nor the vocals are anywhere as layered or complex, but still there is something there that does recall the cascades and swirling tide that defined 4AD in the 80s. In fact, guitarist Robin Guthrie’s post-Cocteau Twins Violet Indiana is a far better reference point. That is, unless you count the few tracks that are so painfully slow they feel like they are being played at half speed (and the vocals droning on don’t help suggest otherwise). Still a solid album for the shoegazers.