Opal - "Happy Nightmare Baby"
Opal was Kendra Smith (who played bass in LA band The Dream Syndicate) & David Roback (who later played guitar in Mazzy Star). Basically Kendra was David’s girlfriend before he started dating Hope Sandoval and this band is like his Mazzy Star prototype of sorts. They only ended up putting one record out, "Happy Nightmare Baby" on SST. It all ended while they were on tour with the Jesus and Mary Chain. Kendra quit the band mid-tour and Hope Sandoval (who was in some band called “Going Home” at the time, if anyone reading this has got any recordings of them let me know) filled in for her the rest of the tour. Soon after, Opal morphed into Mazzy Star and they made one of my favorite records “She Hangs Brightly”. I think Opal also put out a few Eps before this record too, but don’t quote me on that cuz I’ve never heard them. As for this record though, it’s super addictive, it stayed in my stereo for a good month when I first got turned on to it. It’s a bit darker and a little bit cruder than Mazzy Star was not to mention homeboy wanking off way more on the guitar, but it’s still got that hushed hypnotic psychedelic vibe going on that Mazzy Star does. So if you dig that shit, check this record out too! Oh and if you haven’t got into The Dream Syndicate yet, pick up their record “The Days of Wine & Roses”.
Yeah they do have two EPs... both are outta print... ones called "Fell From the Sun EP" and ones called "Northern Line EP"... both are pretty good but not as good as this record. Good pick.
Posted by: Andy The Panda | Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 06:06 PM
A cd on Serpent/Rough Trade compiled both EP's and unreleased tracks in 1989...Called Early Recordings...It's a great find if you can get your hands on it...Spare, acoustic and amazing!
Some of you old fuck 80's teenagers like myself may remeber David Roback in Rain Parade. The Paisley Underground as they used to say...along with The 3 O'Clock, Leaving Trains (Before they started wearing dresses, performing naked, marrying Courtney Love, etc), Dream Syndicate, and many other bands around Los Angeles in those times...
Great job pulling out OPAL!
Posted by: Craig | Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 06:40 PM
I love this album.
Thanks for reminding me.
Very T. Rexy, very sexy.
Give me your daughter.
Posted by: christian | Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 10:37 AM