Mazzy Star - "She Hangs Brightly" (LP review)

David Roback died just over three months ago.  Roback was a central figure in the Paisley Underground scene of the 80s,  but is best known for being the guitarist and founding member of Opal and then Mazzy Star.  Over 30 years, Mazzy Star built a limited but rich discography: four studio LPs and a handful of singles & EPs.  Of those, their first LP, 1990's "She Hangs Brightly", is probably still my favorite.  Even including LPs from his other bands, like "Emergency Third Rail Power Trip" and "Happy Nightmare Baby", "She Hangs Brightly" is probably the best of David Roback's canon.

David Roback was a private man, and I don't know much about him outside of his music.  But he managed to conjure a unique sound that combined some of the best elements of blues, The Doors, The Velvet Underground, and even occasionally Black Sabbath.

The first song, "Halah", is transcendental and in my opinion is even better than "Fade Into You", their most popular song.  "Blue Flower", although a cover, is an amazing song which they make their own (and was the song Danette and I chose for our wedding).  The Doors influence is especially noticeable on songs like "She Hangs Brightly" and "Free", "I'm Sailin" reminds of Pink Floyd's "Mademoiselle Nobs" from "Live at Pompeii", and "Ghost Highway" sounds most like "Opal" (channeling Black Sabbath), Roback's prior band (of note, this is the only song on this LP Roback wrote without Hope Sandoval).

During the intermission between Mazzy Star LPs, Hope Sandoval formed her own band, Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions, and while it lacked Roback's signature guitar sounds, it mined a lot of the same territory that Mazzy Star did.  Indeed, over time the membership of the bands converged, with Suki Ewers and Colm Ó Cíosóig sharing membership in both bands.  David Roback will be missed, but hopefully Hope Sandoval and friends will carry on.


Standout songs: "Halah", "Blue Flower", "She Hangs Brightly", "Give You My Lovin", "Be My Angel", "Ghost Highway", (see also: Playlist for the full LP)

Skip 'em songs: none.

Final score: 10/10. Your collection needs this LP.