Attempting to cover a record in its entirety is a daunting task; the line is thin between fawning tribute and a self-indulgent quagmire. Kudos, though, to Japancakes, for taking on the thankless task and making something magical of it. The record of choice here is My Bloody Valentine?s ?Loveless,? and that shimmering brooding set is given new life with sublte alterations.

By adding new instruments to the mix, especially cello and steel guitar Japancakes takes the pop/ psych/drone of the original and adds even more depth. From the opener, ?Only Shallow,? it is clear that this will be no tribute; the band uses the covers as a sonic framework, staying within the original melodies but infusing them with new colors. Each track, from ?Loomer? to ?Come in Alone? to ?Blown a Wish? to ?Soon,? all your favorites, all the influential classics, are made into Japancakes songs. On guts alone, ?Loveless? is a winner. On inspiration and the extension of that into something new, it is more than a winner. 8/10 -- Mike Wood (8 January, 2008)