Glaswegian music has been stuck in thrall to Belle and Sebastian on one hand and lairy laddishness á la a hundred Oasis re-hashes for so long that the first surprising thing about this album was the city in which it was conceived. This delicately observed debut pulses with ethereal beauty, never confusing quiet for emotion nor chasing tears with gimmicks. Indeed, the intensity generated through its sheer honesty engenders in the listener a strong feeling of engagement – these are songs you will connect with and develop relationships. With balanced soundscapes and a keen sense of detachment, the band manage to startle with moments of tranquility and a sparse dignity which is truly enervating. A less spiky Joy Division, a more elegiac American Music Club, a softer Interpol – big names, but they stand the comparison. An album whose richness you will savour and a band who you can’t help feel are developing to something truly intriguing. Check it out.
Filed under: Album Review, New Albums Tagged: | AMC, Fram, GLS
Bought on strength of your review….very nice it is too! Doesn’ty seem to have ‘I am a scenster!’ screaming from it.
Cheers
Good – this is what we want here at ELM.
You bought a copy, Bertrand?
On the strength of my review. I’m influential, me.
no comment
I’m the Poundland Lester Bangs. Don’t make me use ‘FACT!’