No,
Daydream Nation aren't the most original with titles. The band's name is the title of a
Sonic Youth record, "Swastika Eyes" is shared by
Primal Scream, and some lyrics from "Shine" are straight from
Spiritualized. But would you expect anything less from a label named after a
Stone Roses song? This droney shoegaze band from Ottawa, Canada, translates obvious influences such as
Swervedriver and acts more like a tribute to them, but adds something that most shoegaze bands don't have: a keyboard. Mainman Pat Vaz layers fuzzy guitars and thickly processed vocals, while precision-like drums channel
My Bloody Valentine. The best moments come with "Sweet Child" and "Along the Way," both which glide in a whirling haze. Keyboards add darker shades in "Shoot Em' Down" and provide brighter sounds for the dream pop of "Daydream."
Daydream Nation have an edge with the keyboards, though the better shoegaze bands never really needed them to have similar effects. ~ Kenyon Hopkin