Top 5 Records of the Week.

Welcome to another installment of When The Sun Hits' weekly obsessions. Old or new, we post our top 5 records each week, spotlighting what we've had on constant rotation. It's a great way to give old and new bands exposure, plus we just like making lists, because we are music nerds like that. Sometimes we feature straight up shoegaze/dream pop, sometimes it's what we consider to be proto-shoegaze, sometimes we just do whatever the hell we want - any way you slice it, you get a list of 10 records every week that we think are awesome, influential, and deserving of turning the volume up to 10.

We've archived all of the previous weeks for your browsing enjoyment, which you can find in the right side bar, if you're curious about such things.

*Danny's Top 5 Records of the Week*

1. Springhouse. Landfalls. Caroline Records. (1991)









2. The Jesus & Mary Chain. Honey's Dead. Blanco y Negro. (1992)











3. The Dandy Warhols. Dandys Rule OK. Tim/Kerr Records. (1995)










4. Bliss.City.East. Exposition. Self Released. (2010)











5. The Church. Gold Afternoon Fix. Arista. (1990)

*Amber's Top 5 Records of the Week*

1. Starflyer 59. Gold. Tooth & Nail. (1995)












2. Silver Apples. Contact. Kapp Records. (1969)












3. 800beloved. Everything Purple. Moodgadget/Self released.











4. Love Culture. Aquamarine EP. Self Released. (2010)











5. Robin Guthrie & Harold Budd. Music From The Film Mysterious Skin. Rykodisc. (2005)

Bliss.City.East. The Sun is Cold.



800beloved. Everything Purple.

Free Download & Album Preview: Presents For Sally. A Touch of Joy, A Touch of Sadness Mini Sampler.

Last month, When The Sun Hits reviewed A Touch of Joy, A Touch of Sadness, the gorgeous new LP from Presents for Sally (read the review here and the interview with the band here). The album is out today on Laser Ghost Recordings (also home to WTSH faves The Fauns), and in celebration of it's release, Presents for Sally and When The Sun Hits are giving away a free mini sampler of two tracks off the album, the lush "Sunsets In Your Eyes" and the 8 minute epic gazer anthem, "Point".

Click the link below to download the Presents for Sally mini sampler, featuring two tracks from A Touch of Joy, A Touch of Sadness.

Presents for Sally Mini Sampler.

In this year of amazing releases, this trio from the UK jumps straight into the game right at the end of the year, creating one of the best records of 2010. Full of mindblowing sounds, gorgeous melodies, truly accomplished guitar work, perfect vocals, and so much more, it's a near-perfect record, and one that this blog highly recommends. Check out the sampler, and then head over to buy the LP here, or at your favorite record supplier. A must-own for 2010!

Free Download: Amber's Shoegaze Radio Show. November 21, 2010.

Click the link provided for the free download!

Amber's Shoegaze Radio Show. November 21, 2010.
(originally aired live from 10pm-11pm CST on KTRU 91.7fm)

band/track title

1. The Jesus & Mary Chain (feat. Hope Sandoval). Sometimes Always.
2. The Black Angels. Phosphene Dream.
3. The Sunshine Factory. Head Becomes The Tomb.
4. 800beloved. Tidal.
5. Hum. If You Are To Bloom.
6. Me You Us Them. Me You Us Them.
7. Flying Saucer Attack. The Drowners.
8. Ringo Deathstarr. Swirly.
9. Love Culture. Karolyne.
10. Presents For Sally. Chug.
11. Pale Saints. Time Thief.
12. The Winter Lights. This Modern Love.
13. The High Violets. Chinese Letter (Ulrich Schnauss Remix).

Interview: Clint Sargent of the High Violets & Starry Saints.

The High Violets are Clint Sargent, Kaitlyn ni Donovan, Luke Strahota, and Colin Sheridan, and are based in Portland, Oregon. The band was born out of the ashes of the popular Portland act The Bella Low, who performed regularly with The Dandy Warhols. The High Violets self-released their first EP, Dream Away, in 2000, and immediately started getting attention with their lush sound that was heavily influenced by the dreamy soundscapes of MBV, Ride, Spaceman 3, Lush, and Cocteau Twins. Since then, the band has gone on to release 2 more EPs (44 Down in 2002 and Invitation in 2005), an album of remixes (Satellite, 2007), and two LPs, To Where You Are (2006) and 2010's gorgeous Cinéma (released September 1st on Comet Rock Records). With every release, The High Violets grow more and more impressive, and Cinéma is without a doubt one of this blog's top releases of 2010. When The Sun Hits is excited to bring you the following interview with Clint Sargent of The High Violets, a shoegaze/dream pop band who hasn't stopped steadily rocking for a decade, and who is also a member of the Starry Saints, a band you definitely need to check out, as well. The High Violets are already legends that are still rising, and musicians of the highest caliber. Enjoy getting to know Clint!

1. How was band formed?

Luke and I formed the band with Violet Bianca Grace. The three of us were in a band called The Bella Low that opened for The Dandy Warhols often, but broke up around 1999. This lineup existed for only a few months before Grace quit. Allen Davis then came in to play bass and Kaitlyn, who was a friend of ours, offered to play with us, although she really just wanted to back us up at first.

2. Where does the name "The High Violets" come from?

The name came from an Eric Burdon and the Animals song called "Sky Pilot". It was a song I use to listen to and while I was playing it one time Violet Bianca Grace heard it and she thought he was singing "high violets". Probably influenced by her name, but after she said it it seemed like the name we were looking for.

3. Do you feel like you guys are a part of the new shoegaze scene?

Yeah, for sure! When we first started to get press people were excited that we had similar sounds as some of the first shoegaze bands that had gone extinct in the wake of the grunge explosion. We could feel the appreciation.


4. What artists have most influenced your work?

Well, when we started: Lush, Ride, Slowdive as well as Mojave 3 were all bands Kaitlyn and I in particular were listening to. But, one that people might not guess is Oasis. Just love the big hooks!

The High Violets. 44 Down.

5. Tell us a little about what you are currently into (bands, books, films, etc)?

Currently in addition to releasing Cinéma I've been playing in the band Starry Saints with Allen Davis. We too have just released an album called Serenade and plan on hitting the road next year. Also, I've got into producing and working on sound track material for films. Kaitlyn has been doing this for a few years already. Other than that I've written and directed around 4 B movies, but that's another story...

Starry Saints. Go.

6. What sort of set up/gear do you use? What is the most important piece of gear for your sound (i.e. pedals, guitars, drums, etc.)?

I use a Vox AC 30 amp with a Fender Telecaster and also a Gibson Les Paul. For pedals: I've always used a Line 6 delay effects pedal with a Dunlop Crybaby pedal, but now with Starry Saints I've added a second delay with a dotted 8th. I've got a cool fuzz pedal called "The Sweet" and a couple of other overdrives. The most important piece would be the Line 6 with modulation. Wouldn't be the same without it.

The High Violets. Midnight's Child.

7. What do you think of modern shoegaze/dream pop artists, any favorites?

We've met so many classy people from releasing our music: Soundpool, Foxtail Sommersault, the Sky Drops, Hypatia Lake, to name a few. And of course Ulrich Schnauss, who was kind enough to remix our song "Chinese Letter". Just spent some time with him in fact. He was in the Northwest doing a few shows.

The High Violets. Chinese Letter (Ulrich Schnauss Remix).

8. How do you guys write? Do you each bring in finished work, or do you write as a full band?



We used to write as a band. 44 Down was done this way in that I brought some songs and then we fleshed them out in the practice space. These last two records have been more studio experiences with either Kaitlyn having a song or me and then our producers helping flesh them out in the studio.


9. Will you guys tour at all for this new album?

At this point we aren't planning a tour being that we're busy with other projects.

10. What is your philosophy on life, if any, that you live by?

Personally, be kind and respectful. Love others, everyone is beautiful!

Video: Starry Saints. Go.

One half of Starry Saints is Clint Sargent, also of The High Violets, whom When The Sun Hits is interviewing tomorrow. Get stoked!

Video: Pale Saints. A Thousand Stars Burst Open.

Always a dazzling track. Chris Cooper, former drummer for Pale Saints, is now a member of Insect Guide, whom When The Sun Hits just interviewed. Read the interview here!

Free Download: Amber's Shoegaze Radio Show - 3 Hour Special Set.

On August 15th, 2010, I aired a special three hour shoegaze radio show on KTRU (91.7fm, based in Houston, Texas). For this special show, I chose my four favorite classic shoegaze/dream pop records labels and gave each label a thirty minute block of music. The four labels were: Creation Records, 4AD, Slumberland, and Clairecords.

Yes, I can do math. That only amounts to 2 hours of air time! The last hour was entirely devoted to brand new music from 2010 (up to that point, anyway, as this happened in August). I was very proud of the way the show turned out, and decided to offer it here on When The Sun Hits as a free download! All of my future radio shows will be also offered as free downloads for When The Sun Hits readers, and I'm in the process of archiving some of my past shows to offer as free downloads as well.

I hope you enjoy my selections (I had a hell of a time choosing only 30 minutes of music from such wonderful labels). The link to download the show is provided below, along with a set list. Gaze correctly!

Click here to download Amber's 3 Hour Shoegaze Special

(originally aired live on August 15, 2010 - KTRU 91.7fm)

Hour one: Creation Records & 4AD.

Creation Records:
The Jesus and Mary Chain. Upside Down.
Ride. Taste.
Adorable. Feed Me.
My Bloody Valentine. Off Your Face.
The Boo Radleys. Does This Hurt?
Slowdive. Silver Screen.
4AD:
Ultra Vivid Scene. A Dream of Love.
Pale Saints. Throwing Back the Apple.
This Mortal Coil. A Single Wish.
A.R. Kane. Lollita.
Cocteau Twins. Blind Dumb Deaf.
Swallow. Oceans and Blue Skies.
Blonde Redhead. 23.

Hour Two: Slumberland & Clairecords.

Slumberland:
Stereolab. The Way Will Be Opening.
Black Tambourine. By Tomorrow.
Rocketship. Kisses Are Always Promises.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Higher Than The Stars.
Lilys. Collider.
Clairecords:
Astrobrite. Overdriver.
Pia Fraus. Zodalovers.
Airiel. Kiss Me Slowly.
Secret Shine. Way Too High.
Monster Movie. Vanishing Act.
Averkiou. Holland and Headaches.
Air Formation. Turns Into Sky.

Hour Three: All new shoegaze/dream pop.

Screen Vinyl Image. New Visions.
The Prids. Hide Your Thoughts.
The Mary Onettes. The Night Before the Funeral.
Autolux. The Bouncing Wall.
Wild Nothing. Confirmation.
Ceremony. Regret.
Spell 336. Silence.
Whirl. Leave.
Tears Run Rings. Inertia.
Air Formation. Low December Sun.
The Sleepover Disaster. Friend.
Highspire. Just Begun.
Walls. Burnt Sienna.
Seinking Ships. The Pain Galactic.

Album Preview: Sway. This Was Tomorrow.

You can preview some of the new tracks from Sway's upcoming release, This Was Tomorrow, at their website. When The Sun Hits loves Sway, so we are bouncing in our shoes for this one (we can bounce in and gaze at our shoes, no problem)!

Release Date: November 23, 2010.

Sway. Fall.

Video: Spacemen 3. Losing Touch With My Mind.

Happy birthday to both Peter Kember (Spectrum) AND Jason Pierce (Spiritualized), formerly of Spacemen 3. Yes, they were born on the same day, in the same year!

Interview: Insect Guide.

Insect Guide are the incredible Leeds-based trio of Su Sutton, Stan Howells, and Chris Cooper (yes, THAT Chris Cooper, of Pale Saints fame). Formerly a duo until the fairly recent addition of Pale Saints' Chris Cooper on drums, Insect Guide have been impressing the hell out of people on an international scale since 2007, releasing a handful of EPs and one LP so excellent, fans have been absolutely chomping at the bit for another full length. The gnashing of teeth came to a halt earlier this year, when 2010 finally saw the release of the band's sophomore LP, Dark Days And Nights - a stunningly accomplished record that seamlessly combines space pop and shoegaze to create sonic perfection. Mixing dark themes with spot on pop sensibilities, Insect Guide finally make it ok for us to wear head to toe black, put on our best pout, and STILL dance like there's no tomorrow. And that's how it should be. When The Sun Hits is proud to feature the following interview with Insect Guide, who's Dark Days And Nights was one of the best albums we heard in all of 2010, and quite possibly one of the best records released in the genre for years. Enjoy!

1. How was Insect Guide formed?

Su: Stan put an ad on the wall of a local record shop in the city wanting a girl to sing in his band. I’d just left another band and decided to give it a go!

Insect Guide. David Hero.

2. Where does the name Insect Guide come from?

Stan: I used to work in library when I was a teenager and a man came in and asked for The Insect Guide and it was like a button clicking in my head. I’m pretty sure he thought I was mad but a few years down the line and it’s a good band name!

3. Do you feel a part of the new shoegaze scene?

Stan: Not really, but we’re honoured to be compared to bands that we all think are good.

Su: I think for us, it’s more a case of we just write the songs that we write and we never really think of genre. With this album we definitely wanted to get the songs poppier, I like hook lines and choruses and we wanted to reflect that.


4. How did you guys meet Chris Cooper? Were you already fans of his band, Pale Saints (Amber and I are huge fans!)?

Stan: It’s odd because when I first went to meet Su after she answered the ad on the record shop wall, Chris was incidentally in the pub working the door for some gig so in many senses he’s been there since the start. I’ve known him for years though as well and was a fan of Pale Saints.

Su: I’ve been very fortunate to have been raised with and around music so I liked Pale Saints too although was too young to ever go and see them live which I’m annoyed about!

5. Did adding Chris in 2008 change your sound?

Su: For Dark Days and Nights Stan and I made a decision that we wanted live drums for this set of songs. I have always played some percussion and drums on stage but wanted someone behind the full kit. Rhythm is such an important part of these songs for me and I knew that Chris could do a really good job on them. As soon as we got in the studio with him everything clicked into place and the chemistry was there and it’s been an interesting ride since!

6. This one is for Chris, if I may ask, why did Pale Saints split up?

Chris: Pale Saints split because we got dropped by 4AD. We’d spent a shitload of money recording our 3rd album and it didn’t sell and the press hated it. It was the Britpop era and mod revivalism was all the rage again and we were out of step.

Insect Guide. White Flowers.

7. How do you guys write? Individually, or collectively?

Su: Stan and I write the basics of the song together usually in my living room with wine or Havana rum. Then we record it and take it into the rehearsal space to add bass and drums and we work it all out with Chris and Grimiss (our invisible bassist). At some point after that me and Stan will lock everyone in a very dark recording studio and get the parts down to everything over a few days with any other musicians we want to use as well!

8. What artists have most influenced your work?

Su: We’re all into such a variety of music, it really does make for an interesting time traveling to and between gigs! The best gigs that I’ve been to though are Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds (that man can really preach! I genuinely believed that there was a war coming when he sang it to me), Drugstore and Sonic Youth.

Stan: I went to see a band at my local college called Jellystone Park, later to become Pure Morning, later to become Clinic. That certainly influenced me.

Chris: I have the same influences for Insect Guide that I had for Pale Saints, mainly the UK post punk scene. I also like the xx, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and any future albums by The Fall.

9. Tell us a little about what you are currently into (bands, books, films, etc)?

Su: I’m rediscovering my love of Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, I think the colder weather makes me listen to them more! I’m never without a book. Chris let me borrow his copy of Too Much Too Soon recently about the New York Dolls and I’ve been hooked on that but I also love poetry especially Dorothy Parker and Rod McKuen. And I’ve read everything by John Wyndham at least 3 times. I’ve also had a bit of a problem switching off Nellie McKay’s songs recently.

Chris: I'm rereading Head-On, Julian Cope's memories of the Liverpool scene in the late 70s. It's inspired and funny and bitchy, all the jealousies and insecurities laid bare, it never lets anybody's reputation get in the way of a good anecdote. Any dystopian vision of the future appeals to me.

Su: Me too, apocalyptic stories are the best.

Stan: In terms of bands I'm listening to Bo Ningen, Can, Swell, Rollerskate Skinny. I’m currently reading The Adventures Of Jimmy Corrigan - The Smartest Kid On Earth by Chris Ware and the last film I loved was Where The Wild Things Are.

10. What sort of set up/gear do you use? What is the most important piece of gear for your sound (i.e. pedals, guitars, drums, etc.)?

Su: The most important piece of equipment that we use is definitely my mic stand. It’s a late 70s solid metal mic stand that was given to me when I formed my first band by a guy who told me that I was going to be a singer who later got squashed by a truck. It’s unlikely I’ll ever do a gig without it!!

Insect Guide. Wasted.

11. What do you think of modern shoegaze/dream pop artists, any favorites?

Su: I find it very difficult to separate people that I like into categories.

Stan: But I do love Soundpool who we’ve played with in Philadelphia last time we were over there so they’d be a definite favourite of ours.

12. Su, do you run into much chauvinism in the rock n roll community? If so, how do you handle it?

Su: I’ve been playing live in bands since I was 16 and so along the way you’re bound to encounter some total arses but by and large I don’t get the kind of stick that I’ve watched other girls in bands get. To be honest I think it’s becoming less of a thing to have people from different genders, ethnicities and religions etc under a spotlight of any kind. Having said all of that some random guy did film me with his camera phone from about an inch away when we played London last week, I’m not sure if that counts though or if was just a very enthusiastic fan! You’re expressing such a selective part of your personality on stage though that I never take anything that’s said personally anyway, if anyone has a problem with me being onstage then they can leave the venue, that could just be a hangover from my teenage years though!

13. Were you guys worried at all about the dreaded "sophmore jinx", as this is your second full length?

Su: No not at all! We love song writing and we had a clear vision that we wanted something dark and poppy for this album that reflected the city we live in and the dark bars, sunless rehearsal rooms and dance floors.

Insect Guide. Frozen (live).

14. The EP format seems to work very well within the context of the shoegaze genre. Any particular reason(s) you decided to release so much material that way? Why the name your own price technique?

Stan: It was just a cool format. The CDs were pressed and dressed in black, had vinyl grooves and limited hand-numbered prints with them. Collect all 3 and you have a mini albums worth of music. Just a great way to get songs out there. Remixes, demos, single edits, album outtakes, bit of everything.
The name your own price was just an experiment for the downloads, if anything we found that it put people off downloading the tracks so we just used it for the first cd of the series.

15. Any plans to tour the United States this coming year?

We would love to come and play the US again with this new album. We’ll hopefully manage to set up some New York dates again but anyone that wants to book us get in touch!!

16. What is your philosophy on life, if any, that you live by?

Su: You live once. Don't regret things you didn't do. In fact don't regret the things you did do either, you always get something from even the crappest situations that you put yourself in.

Album Review: The Sunshine Factory. Sugar.

A foreword from your When The Sun Hits writers:

Amber: Since both Danny and I love Alabama's shoegaze/dream pop wonder band The Sunshine Factory madly (check out the interview we did with them a few months ago), we thought we'd do something we've never done before on When The Sun Hits - a dual review! Once we'd both heard the new full length album, Sugar, we were completely blown away by it, and the only conceivable option was to write a review together. I will be taking the first half (intro and tracks 1-4), and Danny the last (tracks 5-9). You need to get this record, trust us. Enjoy!

Danny: First of all let me say this: Robert and Ian are my personal friends. I love these guys, and love everything they have done. It's a major thing for a band as good as this to be from Alabama! Not only are they from my state, they are my friends and they ROCK!On to the review!



Artist: The Sunshine Factory.
Album Title: Sugar.
Release Date: December 14, 2010.
Label: The Sugar Collective.

The Sunshine Factory are Ian Taylor (guitars, tracking, vocals, lyricist), Sally Robertson (bass, vocals), Mathew Hendrich (drums), and Robert Daniel Taylor (production, lyricist, all around contributor/Superman) and they are based in Mobile, Alabama. After releasing the Vintage Revolution LP and the Sugar EP (both in 2009), the Sunshine Factory started getting major attention from gazers and dream pop lovers everywhere, and with good reason - both releases were absolute show stoppers. Since then, your When The Sun Hits writers have been eagerly anticipating the release of the Sugar LP; we ADORE this band. Sugar is, without a doubt, the band's strongest release to date (which is saying a lot, considering how strong their previous releases have been), and displays a band on the cusp of greatness and at the top of their game. Let's dig into the details, shall we?

The Sunshine Factory. Blue Sky. Vintage Revolution. (2009)

The album opens with "Down", a beautiful track with all of the brilliance of a My Bloody Valentine tune, as far as the soundscapes are concerned; but with Ian's honeyed vocals, it sparkles more brightly as a pop song. If there is one thing I can't say enough about, it's Ian's voice. The guy has a set of pipes on him that any dream pop vocalist would kill to have. I have a feeling My Bloody Valentine comparisons are going to get thrown around a lot here - not because The Sunshine Factory sound like MBV rip offs, but because their mastery of creating soundscapes truly does remind me of MBV. High praise for any group, and considering Ian is the oldest member of the performing group (Robert is more behind the scenes than the rest of the members) at the ripe old age of 22, this mastery is no small feat. Hearing Ian croon: Golden as the orient/Silver lines the clouds - with that angelic voice - is something to be experienced. This track has all of the blissed out beauty of a MBV tune updated for 2010, but takes it further with Ian's gorgeous voice, almost space rock-esque guitar use, and The Sunshine Factory's own unique stylings. A gem.

"Smile", track 2, has a bit harder edge to it, with a twinge of psychedelia thrown in. It has that early Ride vibe to it, with the wild guitar that almost wants to break free of the rhythm of the song, but stays in line just so, pulling it all together. There is a true sense of rocking out with "Smile", a feeling of freedom that reminds me a bit of The Stone Roses. This is shoegaze hovering on the edge of psychedelia, but with pop sensibilities...a balance that, if done right, is incredibly striking. Let me just say: The Sunshine Factory are doing it right. The production is impeccable here, as well. Everything comes together perfectly.

The next track, "Head Becomes A Tomb", not only boasts my favorite song title on Sugar, but is a truly accomplished piece of psychedelia-infused perfection. Once again, I'm finding it more and more difficult to pigeonhole this band as shoegaze/dream pop - if anything, The Sunshine Factory have expanded their sound into straight up psychedelia. I'm a firm believer that shoegaze has deep roots in psychedelia, and to hear The Sunshine Factory push their sound to that place is very exciting. Once you start dipping your fingers into the realm of the trippy, the possibilities of experimenting become somewhat endless. I was floored by this track, with it's full guitar sound, otherwordly synths, Sally's heavenly backing vocals and the swirling kaleidoscope of shoegaze/dream pop/psychedelia that colors the whole piece. And just the way Ian sing's the words "quiet desperation" in the first few moments of the song is absolutely transcendent. Quite possibly my favorite newer track on this album (several of the songs have already been released on the band's Sugar EP last year).

"Don't Fall Asleep", Sugar's fourth track, pulls you out of the psychedelic headspace for a moment, back to the land of dream pop. A bit slower, with an almost lilting quality to it, this one is truly lovely. Any fan of the early ethereal sounds of the much beloved Sarah Records will adore this track. Lyrics like: You are more beautiful than the morning/You are the dayfall/The night is calling sounds even more gorgeous delivered in Ian's amazing voice than it reads on paper. Stunning. Truly stunning. And now I hand the reigns over to Danny, while my headphones and I bliss out to the rest of Sugar...

The Sunshine Factory. Skin As Smooth As Porcelain.

Track 5,"Bon Ami" (French for "good friend"), was a total surprise for me. It seems at first to be out of place on this record, with it's accordion and clean guitar, but then Ian's voice comes in and it's all chill bumps and teary eyes for this reviewer. What a stunning melody! Ian's voice is almost flute-like and has a lilting quality that is just immaculate. This song is a major step forward in Ian and Robert's writing partnership. It's the perfect lyric for the perfect melody! It's simply beautiful. Not to mention the production is spot on. If the song were jumbled with tons of overdubbing it would kill the intimacy. It's the perfect example of less is more. By adding just the right instrumentation ( wind chime and accordion) The Sunshine Factory give "Bon Ami" a sense of time and place."Bon Ami", in your reviewers humble opinion, is one of the best songs Ian and Robert have written so far. This is A+ material ladies and gents and it doesn't get much better.

Track 6,"Twisted In The Clover", is an about face from the previous track and immediately grabs you with it's smashing, staccato snare drum intro. The guitar melody has a Scott Cortez-esque tone/melody and sinks it's teeth in on first listen. What a great guitar tone Ian gets! Amber and I had the pleasure of hearing an early draft of "Twisted" and Amber debuted it this summer on her shoegaze radio show for KTRU (based in Houston). The response was overwhelming and immediately positive. (Amber - It's true, I had people calling the station wanting to know what I was playing before the track even ended!) When I posted it on Facebook people really, really responded to it. People just love this song! It is a nu-gaze stunner. It has a melody that will be in your head and ringing in your ears for days and days. I must have played it 20 times the first week I had it! Another A+!

Track 7, "My Sugar Cane", comes from the previously self-released Sugar EP. This is the first song I ever heard by the SSF and it's the reason I fell in love with them. If you call yourself a fan of shoegaze and this song doesn't slay you, I just don't know anymore. Apropos of this genre (dream pop/shoegaze) "My Sugar Cane" has an almost lullaby-like melody. It is so catchy as to be almost magical, like a mantra stuck in your head for days and days. I won't hesitate to say it's one of my favorite shoegaze songs ever. Yes, it's that good! "My Sugar Cane" is a perfect example of Kevin Shields style guitar combined with a melody fit for the Beatles. How can you not love it? It's a stunner!

The Sunshine Factory. My Sugar Cane. Sugar EP.

Track 8, "Sugar Sister", also comes from the Sugar EP. This song has a melody that will break your heart and send you reeling, swooning into the aether. Gorgeous, otherwordly guitar and a hook that is, well...perfection. Ian sings: Sugar sister cries/all she wants is love/ Whisper, whisper/Sugar sister/cry no more/Sugar sister tries/she's got to find this love/Answers, answers/Sugar sister/for the fool. Wow,Robert is a lyric master. If that doesn't hit you in the heart I don't know what will. An A freakin' plus on this one too!

Now to track 9, "Deeper Look", which is the last track and another shoegaze stunner! It starts with a swirling, synth-like sound and slams into you going 90mph. It is replete with Sheilds style guitar and enough backwards/gated reverb to send you into interstellar overdrive! It has a droning, Eastern quality that lends the track a mystical air. The guitar is just massive on this song and the drumming kicks ass. Ian really knows how to get that watery, bending MBV sound. This style of guitar is not easy (I know, I play) and I really don't think it can be learned, per-se. You either can do it, or you can't. Ian can do it and do it well! Don't get me wrong, Ian is NOT just another Kevin Shields clone! He really has his own unique style and it's much more refined than most muddy toned Shields wannabes.When I hear Ian I tend to see colours that blink in and out like Christmas lights,or neon .Maybe it's just me?Buy the record and you will see what I mean!The SSF are not a nostalgia act, by any sense of the term. They are pushing the genre forward and all the while nodding to the past. We must have roots to grow! Like the song title, "Deeper Look", we must not take things on mere surface level. In an age overly concerned with money and appearance we must look deeper, much deeper. If you choose to do so with The SSF you will be rewarded with a solid band,a solid work of art and a solid bunch of guys .They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet! It doesn't get any better than this folks.

Your When The Sun Hits writers both come to the following conclusion regarding The Sunshine Factory's Sugar: An absolutely remarkable release of the highest caliber. There isn't a rating high enough for it. You can pre-order a limited edition version of the CD available now at their website, which comes with lovely hand screen printed covers, in Earth-friendly eco-sleeves, with original graphic artwork and design by Matt Allan of The Sugar Collective - and all for a mere $10. Do it. Without question, one of the top releases of 2010, and stunning in every regard. We are proud of you, Sunshine Factory. Bravo.

Video: Ghost Society. Falling Leaves.

Video: 800beloved. Galaxies.

Interview with Sean Lynch of 800beloved coming soon to When The Sun Hits! I truly love this band, and have for a long time, so I'm beyond excited. Enjoy the video!