Album of the Day

The oversaturated colors on the cover of My Bloody Valentine's debut album, ISN'T ANYTHING, hint at the Irish band's approach to guitar feedback – there's no such thing as too much. Which isn't to say MBV's music relies on volume; these dozen songs are more entrancing than deafening, thanks both to Bilinda Butcher's languorous vocals and songwriter-guitarist Kevin Shield's effects-laden fretwork. “Feed Me With Your Kiss,” “Lose My Breath” and “No More Sorry” wrap dreamy melodies in noise, helping inspire a scene that would soon be known as “shoegaze.” If follow-up LOVELESS gets most of the love in the alternative rock press, ISN'T ANYTHING is a striking and original work in its own right, and an excellent way to salute Shields, who was born on this day in 1963.