The Long Goodbye

The Long Goodbye is the fifth album from Dallas-based trio the Capsules and their first for shoegaze/dream pop revivalists Saint Marie Records. Husband-and-wife duo Julie and Jason Shields formed the band in 2001 shortly after the breakup of their first band Shallow, and over the course of their career have carried a torch for the classic alt-pop of the late '80s and early '90s. Tones of the Sundays, Lush, Innocence Mission, and Cocteau Twins dominate their sound, which is led by Julie Shields's lovely, dulcet voice. While earlier records saw them exploring a variety of different directions, from the slowcore meanderings of their 2002 debut and the fuzzy lo-fi of 2004's Someone for Everyone, to the glittering electro-pop of 2013's Northern Lights & Southern Skies, The Long Goodbye is possibly their most cohesive and grounded effort. Standout cuts like "The Beginning," "The Lonely End," and the title track are all synth pop gems that combine the band's best assets, namely Julie's enchanting voice and the pair's knack for inviting, uncomplicated melodies. The production is warm and dense with plenty of swirling, chorus-laden guitars, lush synth pads, and a strong, rhythmic presence courtesy of drummer Kevin Trevino. Admittedly, there isn't a lot of new ground being broken here and like many acts on the Saint Marie roster, they sound very much like ghosts of the 1990 CMJ charts trying to weave a previous era's magic in the modern world using modern tools. But, there is plenty of magic on The Long Goodbye and the Capsules are masters within their bailiwick of heartfelt, amber-hued dream pop as they deliver one of their best albums.