Chapterhouse - Pearls and Treasures (1990-91)

For any of you familiar with Chapterhouse, I need not go into how immensely superb they were, if only for one mind blowing album, 1991's Whirlpool. For everyone else, you can safely be forgiven, as it probably isn't your fault that you haven't been acquainted with them, thanks to the press and indie radio stations that were too busy drooling on themselves over much more anointed dream-pop titans of the era, My Bloody Valentine and Lush. Though this Reading, England quartet were of first class caliber, they were forever treated as second-string newbies, and never enjoyed the limelight. As far as early '90s shoegazer rock goes, there were many outstanding bands, but I have yet to find one that was as ethereal, transporting, and utterly engulfing as Chapterhouse.

Though they blew it on their 1993 followup, the dance heavy, Blood Music, and split shortly after, Whirlpool is crucial listening. You can obtain the 2006 reissue of it here. To the converted, Pearls and Treasures is a collection of radio session tracks and live cuts from two different concerts, that makes a fine companion to the band's halcyon era album. I know, like you really need three different versions of "Something More" on one disk. Chapterhouse weren't terribly prolific, so take what you can get and enjoy.

Mark Goodier session

01. Breather

Peel Session 10/7/90

02. Falling Down

03. Something More

04. Inside of Me

London, Marquee 9/3/91

05. Breather

06. Something More

07. Treasure

08. Then We'll Rise

09. Pearl

10. Autosleeper

Paris, La Locomotive 4/13/91

11. In My Arms

12. Something More

13. Come Heaven

14. Feel the Same

15. Pearl

16. Autosleeper

17. Falling Down

18. Rain

 

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