Ecstasy

About

"Ecstasy" is the sophmore mini-album from shoegaze band My Bloody Valentine. Released in 1987 on Lazy Records, the record was initially meant to be a full-length album, but after the band told Lazy Records that they had not had enough time as a new unit to get used to each other, they mutually agreed to record a single (Strawberry Wine) and a mini-album (Ecstasy) in the same sessions. The recording process was difficult, however, as there were multiple issues in the mastering process, resulting in the percussions being mixed at too high a frequency. However, once lead guitarist and singer Kevin Shields hired an engineer to figure out the problem in the mixing, Lazy Records decided to finish the mixing process and release the record in its current form as soon as possible. Not only this, but the band had ran out of money halfway through recording, after they agreed to finance the recording themselves. The record marks a shift in tone, moving from noisy and self-aware jangle pop to sugary and jangly pop music, where the noisy guitars took more of a backseat. The tumultuous recording process resulted in the band's relationship with Lazy Records souring, and as a result of the label not having enough money, the record was released on a limited run. While touring for Ecstasy, they would get noticed by Alan McGee, who would subsequently sign the band and become their label until after the release of their 1991 sophmore album, Loveless.

via Last.fm