Posted on: February 14, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0


On April 1, 2008, Portland, Oregon space-rockers pacificUV will release their second LP, longplay 2, on WARM Recordings. At first listen, it might be tempting to lump Pacific UV into the pile of the umpteen bands that worship at the alter of Spacemen 3. But if you listen further and dig deeper, you’ll notice that there’s much more that’s going on under that pretty surface.
Founded in 1998, pacificUV was formed by Clay Jordan and Howard Hudson. Their debut album, longplay 1, was released in 2002 and shortly after their tour supporting their album; co-founder Howard Hudson left the band.  The album received widespread praise from The Big Takeover and Rolling Stone, which called the album “a masterpiece.”  After releasing their follow-up EP, Jordan relocated to Portland from Athens, Georgia.

In April 2008, pacificUV, now comprised of Jordan and bandmates Mike Irwin on keyboards, Matt Kline on bass, and Jesse Robert on drums, will release their second LP.  Several songs on longplay 2 are textured, languid laments similar to the first record, while others, like the 10-minute long “Orson”, are dense noisescapes, which threaten to collapse in on themselves. Lyrically there’s something added as well, with words invoking a mood akin to the ambient shadow of a Lee Friedlander photograph or the dripping Southern Gothic intuition of a Tennessee Williams script.

 longplay 2

Don’t get us wrong, there are plenty of electronic blips and disgruntled electronics that whip around and weave themselves in a way that even Jason Pierce would be proud of. But there’s something else moving under there as well…

“A masterpiece.”

– Rolling Stone
A soothing venture of layered string arrangements and flowing guitar work, and the Athens, GA, five piece have arranged a breathless soundscape similar to what Sigur Rós and Spiritualized previously created.
– MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide

This is that ghostly, subconscious haunt/float music that thankfully, stubbornly, never goes away.
– Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover

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