Minor Victories | |
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Genres | |
Years active | 2015–present |
Labels | |
Members |
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Website | minor-victories |
Minor Victories are a British alternative rock supergroup formed in 2015. The band members are vocalist Rachel Goswell (Slowdive), guitarists Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai) and Justin Lockey (Editors), and film-maker James Lockey of Hand Held Cine Club. [1] [2]
Rachel Goswell and Justin Lockey had previously made music together. It was through Goswell that Braithwaite and the Lockey brothers met. [3]
The band was unveiled on social media in July 2015 [4] with the announcement of a forthcoming album, including collaborations with other artists including Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon and James Graham of The Twilight Sad. However, Minor Victories was initially a casual idea of two artists collaborating together, which later turned into a supergroup. [1] In an interview by the OffBeat Music (OBM) magazine, Stuart Braithwaite said about the formation of the Supergroup:
As the project went on it got better and better until it was finished. Considering how it all was at the start, it seems incredible. Definitely, I was quite surprised. [1]
A few days later a "teaser trailer" named Film One was released featuring short clips of forthcoming songs. [5] In a September 2015 interview with website exclaim.ca, Braithwaite said that the band was working with producer Tony Doogan, that the album was "80% recorded", and that it would be released in early 2016. Asked about how the album would sound, he said "To be honest, I think if you know the music that all of us have made, it won't really surprise you. It has a lot of the good elements from everyone's bands.". [6]
Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | [8] |
Metacritic | 75/100 [9] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [10] |
The Skinny | [11] |
Magnet | 90/100 [12] |
DIY | [13] |
Pop Matters | [14] |
Clash | 60/100 [15] |
Pitchfork | [16] |
God Is in the TV | [17] |
musicOMH | [18] |
State Magazine | [19] |
The Music | [8] |
Minor Victories received critical acclaim from musical critics. On Metacritic, their first album holds an average critics score of 75, based on 17 critics, indicating "Generally favorable reviews". [20] Duncan Harman of The Skinny Magazine said, "Minor Victories is frequently beautiful, and it’s the subtle application of the abrasive (on tracks such as Out To Sea) where this project really comes into its own; a few listens in, and captivation becomes its own reward." [21]
Heather Phares of All Music wrote, "While Minor Victories builds on its members' legacies, the band sounds more excited about the present and the future than looking back." [22] Craig Jones of DIY Magazine wrote, "At no point of this record are you left hoping for another Editors anthem or new Slowdive music--yes that would be wonderful, but we now have Minor Victories to savor. Hopefully they’re here to stay." [23]
Steve Klinge of Magnet Magazine gave the album an "Essential New Music" designation saying, "Minor Victories is a bit like Great Britain’s version of Broken Social Scene with its collaboration among equals and its penchant for glorious, cathartic climaxes." [24]
However, Pitchfork's Evan Rytlewski criticized this album saying, "What’s missing, though, is the central promise of a supergroup: the thrill of hearing established musicians in a truly different context. Minor Victories’ lineup may stem from different circles, but their approaches are so complementary that there's rarely any tension or surprise." [25]
Souvlaki is the second studio album by English rock band Slowdive. It was recorded in 1992, and released on 1 June 1993 by Creation Records.
Slowdive are a British rock band that formed in Reading, Berkshire, in 1989. The band consists of Rachel Goswell on vocals, guitar and keyboard, Neil Halstead on vocals and guitar, Christian Savill on guitar, Nick Chaplin on bass guitar and Simon Scott on drums, all of whom have played on the band's debut studio album Just for a Day (1991). Halstead is the band's primary songwriter.
Rachel Ann Goswell is an English singer-songwriter and musician who rose to prominence as vocalist and guitarist of the shoegaze band Slowdive, which formed in 1989. Goswell, along with Neil Halstead, Ian McCutcheon and former Chapterhouse member Simon Rowe became Mojave 3 when Slowdive transitioned to a more country/folk rock style. She released a solo album in 2004, titled Waves Are Universal on 4AD Records.
Mogwai are a Scottish post-rock band, formed in 1995 in Glasgow. The band consists of Stuart Braithwaite, Barry Burns, Dominic Aitchison, and Martin Bulloch (drums). Mogwai typically compose lengthy guitar-based instrumental pieces that feature dynamic contrast, melodic bass guitar lines, and heavy use of distortion and effects.
Mojave 3 were a British rock band consisting of former Slowdive members Neil Halstead, Rachel Goswell and Ian McCutcheon (drums) alongside keyboardist Alan Forrester and former Chapterhouse guitarist Simon Rowe.
Mogwai Young Team is the debut studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai. Produced by Paul Savage and Andy Miller, the album was released on 21 October 1997 through the Chemikal Underground record label.
Stuart Leslie Braithwaite is a Scottish musician, singer and songwriter. He is the guitarist of post-rock band Mogwai, with whom he has recorded ten studio albums. He is also a member of the British alternative rock supergroups Minor Victories and Silver Moth. He has used the name Plasmatron in the credits of Mogwai's debut album Mogwai Young Team, as a social media handle, and as the name of his signature guitar pedal.
Just for a Day is the debut studio album by English rock band Slowdive. It was released on 2 September 1991 by Creation Records.
Pygmalion is the third studio album by English rock band Slowdive, released on 6 February 1995 by Creation Records. It was the group's final album before their reformation in 2014, and their only album with Ian McCutcheon, who had replaced Simon Scott on drums.
The Hawk Is Howling is the sixth studio album by the Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 22 September 2008, by Wall of Sound, Play It Again Sam and Matador in the UK, Europe, and the US, respectively. It was released in Australia by Spunk Records on 27 September 2008.
A Wrenched Virile Lore is a remix album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai consisting of tracks from their 2011 album Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will remixed by various artists. It was released on 19 November 2012 by Rock Action Records, apart from the US where it was released on 4 December by Sub Pop. The album was offered in a limited edition of 2500 vinyl albums, and on CD and digital download.
Music Industry 3. Fitness Industry 1. is the twelfth EP by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai. It was released on 1 December 2014 through Rock Action Records and Sub Pop. It consists of three original tracks recorded during the sessions that produced the band's album Rave Tapes and three tracks from that album, remixed by different artists.
In Dream is the fifth studio album by British band Editors. It was produced by the band themselves and released on 2 October 2015 through PIAS Recordings.
Jesu / Sun Kil Moon is a collaborative studio album by American indie folk act Sun Kil Moon and British experimental act Jesu, released on January 21, 2016 on Caldo Verde Records and Rough Trade. The album also features guest musicians Will Oldham, members of Low, Rachel Goswell of Slowdive, and Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Jesu and Sun Kil Moon including drummer Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth played six shows in February and March 2016 to support the album.
Minor Victories is the self-titled debut studio album by British alternative rock supergroup Minor Victories. It was released on 3 June 2016 on Fat Possum Records and PIAS Recordings.
Slowdive is the fourth studio album by English rock band Slowdive. It was released on 5 May 2017 by the record label Dead Oceans. It was Slowdive's first studio album in 22 years, following Pygmalion (1995). It was also the band's first album since Souvlaki (1993) to feature the drummer Simon Scott as a member.
Mastersystem were a British rock supergroup composed of two sets of brothers, who were members of the groups Frightened Rabbit, Editors and Minor Victories. They released their debut album, Dance Music, on 6 April 2018 to critical acclaim. The band began a UK tour supporting the album in April 2018. Further summer dates and a plan for a wider tour later in the year were halted after the passing of Scott Hutchison in May.
Justin Lockey is a British musician, composer, record producer, recording engineer and record-label-owner from the north of England. He is best known as lead guitarist in multi-platinum-selling band Editors as well as Minor Victories alongside Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai, Rachel Goswell of Slowdive and his brother James Lockey.
As the Love Continues is the tenth studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 19 February 2021 on Rock Action Records in the UK and Europe, and on Temporary Residence Limited in the US. Its UK release date marked the 25th anniversary of Mogwai's first single, "Tuner/Lower". It was preceded by the single "Dry Fantasy", and the streaming of a live concert of the album played in full.
Everything Is Alive is the fifth studio album by English rock band Slowdive, released on 1 September 2023 through Dead Oceans. It is their first album in six years and their second since reforming, following their self-titled album released in 2017.