A is for Adorable

Amidst the slow fading of the shoegazer scene and the inevitable rise and fall of grunge stood in the wavering distorted visual image of riffs was a group that had character and the capability of expressing possibility. If "A" is for adorable then this band was able to capture every kids attention who was into the brit indie scene back in the early 90's. Often compared with their contemporaries: Ride and My Bloody Valentine, Adorable were contenders of setting the world on fire in terms of making it big. Instead, "we just got as far as striking the match," according to one interview.


Recording their first single, Sunshine Smile in 1991 gave them the promise of confidence and the proof of hope. However, none of the copies (all 800 to be exact) saw the light of day. But, in 1992 the band met up with Allan Mcgee (Creation records owner and founder) over two pints in a pub in the centre of coventry and struck a deal that would regain what was once lost and release their debut album "Against Perfection."

Originally titled "Against Creation" (It had to be dropped 24 hours before submitting the artwork as they were worried in pushing their relationship with the label), the album according to them, "was the sound of 21-year olds who felt life was there ahead of them, ready to be inhaled and enjoyed." With the carrier single and first track "Sunshine Smile back," which was only included in the US and import release, it quickly gave them the attention and admiration that the band should've gotten in the previous year.

With 'grit-edgy' guitars along with melodic chords, Adorable would also accrue the other single "Home Boy." Identified with its wave-like tempo, pluck bassline and slow fast tune, it also said that this was the band's favorite ending; it with Fijalkowski (vocals/guitars) screaming "Beautiful!."

Other 'power-pop' tracks were also inclined to make an impact; Adorable was ready to demonstrate "Against Perfection" to a wider audience; the US to be exact. "Glorious and Breathless" was some sort of special charm that would also turn out to be proud singles. With swirling guitars, kids would rather skip with the beat instead of staring at their shoes. Though somehow doing well home and abroad, Adorable wasn't still able to break through the shimmering wall that the shoegazer scene left a big dent on.


Felt that they were being overlooked, a fourth single was released and probably the most inspiring indie song that I have ever heard, "Sistine Chapel Ceiling" would put them back on track. Receiving the NME (New Musical Express) single of the week and high indie chart placing. It also put "Against Perfection" to a top 75 spot in April 1993.

Sadly inspite of the high reprisal the band was already getting, it was all downhill after the tour (US, Australia, Japan and other parts of Europe). The press had enough of their arrogance and were not impressed at all anymore; and with the Sony takeover of Creation, the band was pressured to release a second album (Fake). But this time they weren't able to live up with the brilliant music that they had with the first one. But no matter how "Against Perfection" turned out, Adorable were still a band that was neither too late (for the shoegazer scene) nor too early (for Brit-Pop) but rather on time to show what glory was all about even for a brief moment.

Its Glorious!

'til next time