The Telescopes - Splashdown The Complete Creation Recordings 1990-1992
(Cherry Red Records, 2015)
2015 two CD collection. The Telescopes burst onto the Indie scene in 1988, their dissonant, psychedelic snarl was inspired by 60s punk rock and the Velvets and attracted comparisons with the likes of Loop, My Bloody Valentine and Spacemen 3. Early singles on Cheree and What Goes On turned heads. The band also released an acclaimed debut album Taste. In early 1990, The Telescopes signed to Creation Records, who were enjoying success with bands like Teenage Fanclub, Ride and Primal Scream. Over the course of 1990-1991, The Telescopes’ sound evolved across three EPs. ‘Precious Little’ retained their earlier menace; ‘Everso’ was dreamier than before while ‘Celeste’ and ‘Flying’ blended psychedelia with a vaguely dancey backbeat. In 1992, The Telescopes unveiled their next album, #Untitled Second, a fascinating assemblage of their influences to date and a work which has matured well and subsequently inspired many so-called shoegaze bands. Sadly, the band disbanded soon after the LP’s release but reunited a decade later. Since then, The Telescopes have embarked on a musical adventure, creating music which is both exploratory and engaging. Curated with the full cooperation of The Telescopes’ front man Stephen Lawrie, Splashdown is the first-ever compilation to properly document the band’s three-year tenure with Creation Records. The first CD combines their four EPs for the label, with the added bonus of some tracks planned as the B-sides for an abandoned final EP.
