Lush Spooky CD

Out of print in the U.S.! Moody and ethereal guitar-fueled 'shoegazing' band led by Miki Berenyi and Emma Anderson. Originally released in 1991, this was their first true album for the 4AD label.

Lush: Miki Berenyi, Emma Anderson (vocals, guitar); Steve Rippon (bass); Chris Acland (drums).
Recorded at September Sound, London from July to October, 1991.
For Lush's first proper full-length, the band opted to work again with Robin Guthrie. Though generally delightful, Spooky suffers from being bottlenecked into a dream-drift haze that isn't as convincing as the ones concocted by the likes of My Bloody Valentine and A.R. Kane. On paper the Guthrie/Lush collaboration seems like a match made in heaven; however, this lacks a punch and balance that begins to frustrate by the latter half. Whatever dynamics Lush appear to be capable of are rendered limp by Guthrie's sonic razing. Saving the record from being buried is a batch of quality songs. Despite its faults, it's more hit than miss. It's easy to criticize the lack of drive, but the drifting nature is rapturous in spots. Regardless, the draftiness is relied upon too often.
The three singles released from the LP ("Nothing Natural," "For Love," and "Superblast!") showcase the aggressive side, if only through a relative nature. As with much of the band's early material, guitars dart and veer all over hell's half acre -- just as you hear a gentle strum in one ear, another guitar whisks by like an overhead jet, only to be grounded to a halt by a swollen jolt from some netherworld. If stripped of its myriad effects, "For Love" would sound like a top-rate Go-Betweens song, filled with lovely jangles and smart songwriting. Closer "Monochrome" is a melancholy ballad whose cousin is Catherine Wheel's "Black Metallic." Beneath all the swooning and swaying, it almost suckers you into missing the cheesy "dum-dum-dum" drum lead-in to the choruses, airlifted out of your least favorite Top 40 schlock ballad circa '86. Those devils! ~ Andy Kellman
Lush's first true album, SPOOKY, released in 1991 on the heels of GALA, is probably the band's most consistent effort, and arguably the embodiment of late 20th century dream pop. Produced by Cocteau Twin Robin Guthrie, the music owes a debt to those archetypal shoegazers, yet travels along its own particular path. Lush owes much of its distinctiveness to the defiant yet melodically angelic voice of Miki Berenyi, which floats effortlessly over Emma Anderson's enchanting, ethereal guitar noodlings, Steve Rippon's subtly soothing basslines and Chris Ackland's insistent drumming.
These elements unite in an impressive one-two punch of pop bliss early on in SPOOKY, in tracks such as the breezily beguiling "Nothing Natural," and the gentle and charming "Tiny Smiles." There's a burst of power pop with the insanely catchy "Superblast!" before SPOOKY closes with "Monochrome," a simple adult lullaby with a mesmerizing melody, adorned with sparkling guitar spirals and hypnotic vocals. Overall, SPOOKY stands as a remarkable coming-of-age for a principal band in the dream pop canon.

Rolling Stone (4/16/92, p.86) - 3 Stars - Good - "..one of the best bands from dream pop's second wave.."
Musician (6/92, p.98) - "..offers many decadent thrills...Miki Berenyi's sweet vocals float through the dreamy grooves like a cloud, swept along by swirling guitars.."