A Head Full of Wishes is a site for Galaxie 500, Luna, Damon & Naomi, Dean & Britta and Dean Wareham. With news, articles and lists of releases and past and future shows.
Happy 30th birthday to Galaxie 500's On Fire
‘On Fire’, the new LP, is altogether a more considered - “slower, more lush, and more live” (Damon) affair than Today, proving conclusively there’s more to GALAXIE 500 than their amps.
‘On Fire’ is released on Rough Trade Records on 16th October 1989.
Press release, 1989
Today is the 30th anniversary of the release of Galaxie 500’s masterpiece On Fire - there’s not much more than I can say that hasn’t been said repeatedly on this website over the last 25 years - so, just dig out the LP, or head over to the streaming service of your choice and ride the fiery breeze.
Galaxie 500 haven’t “gone” anywhere since “Today” because there’s nowhere for them to go. They’re all washed up, come to rest at the beautiful composure in defeat. If a Pyrrhic victory means triumph won at such a cost you might as well have lost, then Galaxie 500’s music is the exact opposite; a statement of defeat that resounds like a glorious triumph. Let it bleed.
Simon Reynolds (Melody Maker, 28th October 1989)