Trembling Blue Stars: Broken By Whispers

The British independent-label explosion of the late '70s and '80s made instant cult stars out of hundreds of bands that might have otherwise gone unheard. The relative ease of starting self-run labels also led to a number of cult imprints—Cherry Red, Rough Trade, Creation, Postcard, Factory—with reputations that made fans comfortable buying records by acts they'd never even heard of. One of the best and most beloved U.K. labels of the '80s was Sarah Records, an imprint that specialized in the kind of twee pop recently resuscitated by Belle And Sebastian and others. Along with The Orchids and Blueboy was Field Mice, a gorgeous pop group formed by Robert Wratten and Michael Hisock that probably could have been as big as The Smiths had the band members not so firmly embraced the shy aesthetic of indie-pop. The group broke up after several singles, EPs, and one album (1991's For Keeps), much of which is replicated on the essential Field Mice compilation Where'd You Learn To Kiss That Way But in one way, shape, or form, its members continued to work together, either in Northern Picture Library or in Wratten's solo project Trembling Blue Stars, which now includes Field Mice members Annemari Davies and Hisock. Confused yet That's part of the esoteric charm of tiny labels and rotating line-ups. Trembling Blue Stars now has access to its widest audience yet, the relatively uncharted waters of America, perhaps indicating that the shroud of mystery surrounding it will finally be lifted. Broken By Whispers is Wratten's third album as Trembling Blue Stars, and it may be his best. Despite all the name changes, the members of Field Mice have gone on to mine similar territory, and Trembling Blue Stars is no exception. The album is driven by Wratten's sensitive voice, ringing guitars, haunting synths, pattering drum machines, and some of the most beautiful songs you'll ever hear, like a cross between Cocteau Twins and The Cure. Even producer Ian Catt (St. Etienne) returns to offer his trademark atmospherics on brittle and breathtaking songs such as "Sometimes I Still Feel The Bruise," "To Leave It Now," "Fragile," and "Snow Showers," highlights on a heartbreaking album that doesn't lend itself to easy summary.