Various Artists – “Cherry Stars Collide – Dream Pop, Shoegaze & Ethereal Rock 1986-1995” (Cherry Red Records, 2023)
“Cherry Stars Collide” is a detailed 4CD boxed set that takes you back to a time in the late 1980s, when alternative artists started exploring a dreamy, ethereal sound in rock and pop. These new artists were inspired by the UK’s famed 4AD label. This novel sound became known as “dream pop” and quickly spread to the United States.
The extensive collection “Cherry Stars Collide” is a great introduction to the dream pop sound as it developed from the mid-80s, intertwining with other genres like shoegaze, pop, post-rock and electronic music. This approach inspired new artists and attracted existing ones, leading to a unique and thoughtful form of musical expression.
Dreampop is characterized by its ethereal, atmospheric sound and its often introspective and melancholic lyrics. The dreampop artists typically use reverb-drenched guitars, ethereal vocal harmonies, and electronic effects such as delay and chorus.
There is plenty to discover in these four discs, from numerous pop leaning artists to electronic innovators live David Sylvian and the delightful Julee Cruise (Twin Peaks Theme). However, my favorite of all, Dead Can Dance (much more interesting for progressive music fans), who make entrancing music that incorporates early music, ambient electronics, world music and other tendencies.
Disc One:
Ar Kane – Lollita
Frazier Chorus – Sloppy Heart
Area – With Louise
Louis Phillipe – When I’m An Astronaut
The Chameleons – I’ll Remember
Dead Can Dance – In The Kingdom Of The Blind The One-Eyed Are Kings
14 Iced Bears – Hay Fever
Talk Talk – Eden (Edit)
Shelleyan Orphan – Tar Baby
Ultra Vivid Scene – A Dream Of Love
This Mortal Coil – Drugs
David Sylvian – Pop Song
Julee Cruise – Falling (Twin Peaks Theme)
Cocteau Twins – Iceblink Luck
Eternal – Sleep
The Dream Academy – Love
Disc Two:
Lush – Breeze (Gala Version)
The Wake – English Rain
Blow-Up – Heaven Tonight
His Name Is Alive – As We Could Ever
Penelope’s Web – Lowsun
Cranes – Tomorrow’s Tears
The Heart Throbs – Kiss Me When I’m Starving
Breathless – Over And Over
Kitchens Of Distinction – Hypnogogic
The Innocence Mission – Evensong
The Telescopes – Celeste
Secret Shine – Grey Skies
The Charlottes – Prayer Song
Spirea X – Signed D.C.
The Cranberries – Them
Drop – Within And Beyond
Disc Three:
Spiritualized – Feel So Sad Glides And Chimes
The Ocean Blue – Ballerina Out Of Control
Lycia – Ionia
Chapterhouse – Mesmerise
The Sweetest Ache – If I Could Shine
Levitation – Rosemary Jones (Coppelia Version)
For Against Today Today
Red House Painters – Japanese To English
Smashing Orange – Strange Young Girls
All About Eve – Some Finer Day
The Darling Buds – One Thing Leads To Another
Sweet Jesus – Your Baby Loves Me (Original Version)
The Sundays – God Made Me
Love Spirals Downwards – Stir About The Stars
Alison’s Halo – Sunshy
Insides – Yes
Disc Four:
Mazzy Star – She’s My Baby
Bel Canto – Unicorn
Swallow – Cherry Stars Collide
The Ecstasy Of Saint Theresa – Fluidum
An April March – All The Flowery
Slowdive – In Mind
Half String – Sun Less Sea
Tse Tse Fly – Dog-Eared
St Etienne – California Snow Story
Blind Mr Jones – Hey
Drugstore – Superglider
Pale Saints – Fine Friend
Low – Stay
Dubstar – Just A Girl She Said
Mojave 3 – Where Is The Love
This Ascension – August Rain
The Autumns – Abbey In An Oak Tree
Buy Cherry Stars Collide – Dream Pop, Shoegaze & Ethereal Rock 1986-1995