In spite of Pacific UV’s name, the Athens, Ga. band doesn’t so much emit a bright, blinding glow as beam a faint light through a cover of clouds. On Longplay 2, the band’s second full-length album (pretty obvious one there), Pacific UV stretches their moody, atmospheric rock into six, seven, even ten minute epics, never in much of a hurry to reach a speedy climax or resolution. Because of this slowed pace, each note rings with grace and perfection, meant to hit with as much emotional impact as possible. Leadoff track “Alarmist” languidly plods toward an Explosions in the Sky-like hugeness, with gorgeous piano, slide guitars and strings. “Need” is more of a pop song, though still dark and gloomy, its sinister style is something akin to Mogwai jamming with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, which is a pretty cool thing. “Tremolo” is more spaced out and flush with reverb, offsetting the bigger arrangements here, while “Waiting” is both lush and more immediately accessible. There may be ominous gloom aplenty in Pacific UV’s gigantic dirges, but with so much beauty in each note, there’s most certainly a bit of sun peeking through those darkened clouds.
-- Jeff Terich [May 10, 2008]
