100 Greatest Songs of the 00’s #96 Blonde Readhead – 23

Released: 2007

Blonde Redhead spent a frustratingly long time in discovering the art of compromise. Originally formed in 1994 when Kazu Makino met Italian twin brothers Amedeo and Simone Pace, the trio spent the next half decade making discordant noise-rock in the mould of fellow New Yorkers Sonic Youth, all whilst it has to be said most people hung well back from their stage.

Depending on how you see it the breakthrough however came with 2000’s Melody Of Certain Damaged Lemons, on which with the trio having left behind the confrontational side of their nature, they were now exploring melody whilst retaining their underground creds. A deal with 4AD came next, but two years later Kazu was thrown from a horse she was riding, with the injuries she sustained requiring extensive reconstructive surgery.

A further pivot towards more classic indie rock followed on Misery Is A Butterfly, before with the arrival of 23 the band were at least now clear on who they didn’t want to be, confessing to the LA Times “I don’t wish we were like Muse.” The title track certainly underlined that; with it’s rumbling drums, Makino’s toy-like vocals and possessing a swirling My Bloody Valentine-meets Cocteaus haze, it was dream pop in excelsis. As time had elapsed they’d given more than a little to get there, but in the process they’d gained a lot.