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Illuminated 1989

by The Veldt

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Rory Bell
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Rory Bell This is my first time hearing these songs as I was introduced to the band recently & everything pre 2015 ish is really hard to find. Absolutely brilliant stuff & genuinely stands the test of time. Now I just want the brothers to get the rights to the rest of their songs. Favorite track: C.C.C.P.
walkeremery
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walkeremery It feels a little strange to call this my favorite album of the year when the actual album is (almost) as old as I am, but here we are. A superb listen from back to front, it maintains a consistently dreamy vibe while still being home to some absolutely knockouts! Favorite track: Shallow By Shallow.
mjeanes
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mjeanes It's timeless and I'm so happy that it has seen the light of day. Favorite track: Willow Tree.
Anthony Childs
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Anthony Childs The Veldt have persevered, doing what it took to finally get this to our ears. Props to Little Cloud also. The 1989-90 me would've been blown away, 2023 me is also quite impressed. Strong, up front male vocals, atypical to the Dreampop, alongside the chiming, reverb-drenched chorus-y & distorted guitars & driving rhythms we all love. Dreampop that's not remotely stuck in the genre. Core influences seem broader, distinguishing themselves from so many others. Still very fresh. Recommended. Favorite track: Joshuu Lullaby (Bonus Track).
mike-kistler
mike-kistler thumbnail
mike-kistler this album is simply breathtaking. so proud of what you guys have been able to accomplish! Favorite track: It's Over.
etherweave
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etherweave THIS is the version of these songs I heard performed live when they opened for Cocteau Twins in '91. Although I have loved ALL of The Veldt's music, this is what I have longed to hear. I'm so happy this LP has seen the light of day at last. The early version of "Daisy Chain," which really achieved fullness on "Afrodisiac," is so good! But "C.C.C.P." is simply breathtaking. Don't even ask me about "Everlasting Gobstopper" and "Aurora Borealis." Swoon. Buy this record! Favorite track: C.C.C.P.
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    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Limited edition CD - pressing of 250 copies. Glass mastered CD in digipak, shipping 02/02/24.
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C.C.C.P 03:54
3.
It's Over 03:05
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Pleasure Toy 03:10
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Angel Heart 04:12
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Willow Tree 04:00
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Git Up 03:50
9.
Heather 05:20
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Daisy Chain 03:50
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about

US alternative rock / shoegaze outfit The Veldt will finally release their 'Illuminated 1989' album on November 24 via Portland-based Little Cloud Records and North Carolina’s 5BC Records. This is the original 1989 full-length record produced by Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie, previewed by the lead track 'The Everlasting Gobstopper' and the single 'Aurora Borealis' with Elizabeth Fraser making a cameo appearance on backing vocals towards the end, plus a B-side remix, created by The Veldt.

Guthrie also remastered the album for vinyl earlier this year. While originally intended to be the band's first album, their label Capitol Records shelved the recording and sent them back into the studio with producer Lincoln Fong (Moose), resulting in their first album released with the title 'Marigolds'.

One of the most notable first-wave shoegaze bands, formed in North Carolina in the 1980s, The Veldt revolves around identical twins Daniel Chavis (vocals, guitar) and Danny Chavis (guitar). Their unique sound was influenced by Cocteau Twins as readily as Marvin Gaye and free-jazz warriors Sun Ra and Pharaoh Sanders. Referencing European post-punk while embracing modern hip-hop, these trailblazers work with transient dreamscapes as fluidly as solid song structures.
 
Pitchfork included The Veldt's album 'Afrodisiac', produced by the legendary Ray Shulman (The Sundays, Bjork, The Sugarcubes) and released via Mercury Records, in the top 50 shoegaze albums ever released, while Stereogum included ‘Until You’re Forever’ in the top 31 shoegaze tracks. Their sound also inspired future generations of alternative artists, including TV On the Radio.

The Veldt's journey is fascinating. Performing since they were children, the Chavis brothers’ musical roots lead back to the church and southern juke-joints, and listening to music that included gospel, Motown and Pink Floyd. The Veldt formed in the late 80’s in Raleigh amongst the legendary North Carolina music scene of the time, initially signing with Mammoth Records - leading to a chain of major-label relationships that took the group across Europe and the U.S. playing shows with the likes of Throwing Muses, Pixies, Cocteau Twins and Jesus & Mary Chain.

After moving from Raleigh to New York, they briefly performed as Apollo Heights before returning to their original name The Veldt. Joined by Japanese bassist-programmer Hayato Nakao, they together forging music that is a heady and sensual blend of shoegaze and progressive soul, dreamy soundscapes and infectious grooves. Some of the band's recent notable releases include 'The Shocking Fuzz Of Your Electric Fur' EP (2017) and the album 'Entropy is the Mainline to God' (2022).


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released November 24, 2023

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The Veldt Raleigh, North Carolina

Soul-shoegaze-alternative rock band from Raleigh & NYC (Danny Chavis, Daniel Chavis, Hayato Nakao, Marvin Levi, Alex Cox, Martin Newman, Micah Gaugh). Previously known as Apollo Heights.

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