Telescopes, The
Taste (red)
Midlands experimental group the Telescopes were not your average 80s band. Instead of opting for formulaic guitar jangles, the group mashed up psychedelia, space rock, noise rock and indie, with a touch of chamber music here and there. Debut album Taste is considered their masterpiece, and rightly so, the unique result stemming from frontman Stephen Lawries creative vision. The triple-guitar onslaught tips things over the edge in places, yet there are also cool moments of respite. An absolute masterpiece of the whole shoegaze era, and one of the most influential LPs in 90s alternative rock. Dive in, soak up and be amazed.