SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MAJESTY CRUSH – BUTTERFLIES DON’T GO AWAY

MAJESTY CRUSH
BUTTERFLIES DON’T GO AWAY
THE NUMERO GROUP

Majesty Crush were a 1990s ‘shoegaze’ band with a 1980s sensibility and vibe. Formed in Detroit, the band consisted of the late David Stroughter (vocals), bassist Hobey Echlin, guitarist Michael Segal and drummer Odell Nails III. They always seemed to be on the cusp of ‘making it’ and breaking through, but sadly, they never really got beyond superstar indie status. But from 1990 until their split in 1995, they recorded and released some very solid material and made a very distinct and unique sound. Their music seemed to have that 1980s style of melody and add some very thought-provoking lyrics. This new compilation brings together their one album, an EP, and a number of singles.

Butterflies Don’t Go Away begins with the one and only album (Love 15) in its entirety. They released album on cassette in 1991 (A Vintage Crushed By Your Own Feet), and oddly enough it is not included in this set. A number of songs from that album were re-recorded and released throughout their career, but it would have been nice to have those tracks as well. As it is, Butterflies Don’t Go Away opens with the fiery “Boyfriend”, which combines shoegaze with a little bit of grunge. The band pulls it off and it is a great way to start the set. The rest of the album is full of strong songs, and it becomes apparent that the band is fighting for its life. Released a mere two years before they called it quits, one can hear the potential and the direction they were planning on going. It is not unlike The Chameleons.

Lyrically, the album then drifts into Stroughter’s obsessions of Uma Thurman (“Uma”) and Jodie Foster (“No. 1 Fan”) and then moves on to songs about other topics. It makes for interesting listening. Interestingly, “Purr” is an interlude on the album, but when the band re-records it for a single, it is one of the brightest moments on this new collection. It is different from the other songs, and seems to drift into 4AD, circa 1985, and would not have been out of place on This Mortal Coil’s albums.

The singles collected here are another glimpse into the ‘what could have been’ world. This was a band that continued to grow and develop and one can only wonder what they would have achieved. Their album is a good example of this. Compare the early singles, such as “Sunny Pie” are fine and well played, but by 1993 and one can hear a definite maturity in songs such “Feigned Love” (which features some great bass playing) or even their last single “If JFA Were Still Together”.

Even though there are some glaring omissions, this is still a wonderful compilation of a band that certainly deserved to be heard. It is good to have most of their music collected in one spot for fans to enjoy from beginning to their far too early end. Also, new fans will benefit from not having to track down all those indie singles, which I am pretty sure is no easy task. As it is Butterflies Don’t Go Away is a great collection and a great snapshot of an era. Majesty Crush is too good to be forgotten or lost in time and this album will go a long way in making sure that that does not happen.

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