Ringo Deathstarr

Austin, TX's Ringo Deathstarr sound like they've come straight from the bustling Thames Valley scene of the late '80s and early '90s shoegaze. With latest release Sparkler, this sound continues and develops. Previously only released in Japan, this updated compilation of EP tracks and singles displays some of Ringo Deathstarr's greatest work. Highlights like "Some Kind of Sad" and "Sweet Girl" sound so close to their influences that one could easily become confused as to which band they're listening to. The derivative nature of this brand of shoegaze is sometimes its strongest trait, as the sound gives you an awe-inducing sense of nostalgia. The act of listening to "In Love" is reminiscent of spinning My Bloody Valentine for the first time. Sparkler may be a continuation of the sound on previous effort Colour Trip, but it feels as solid and bewildering as its influences.