Album eleven from the Scottish stalwarts is a worthy addition to a glowing back catalogue
The redoubtable Scots return with a simple statement of intent. The first track on their quietly gorgeous eleventh album is called I’m in Love and the now 50-year-old trio of Norman Blake, Raymond McGinley and Gerard Love take it as a starting point on this collection of songs about simple pleasures and the important things in life.
Here? Yup, it's staring you right in the face.
As is their custom, they share four songs each and the songwriting and singing trio craft heart-bursting vocal melodies with guitar chug, jangle and chime dominating once again. Like a less overwrought Big Star and a less troubled Beach Boys, golden harmonies cap lyrics about hard-won wisdom and reflection.
They lob in some backwards guitar on Thin Air; do a damn fine Nels Cline impression on The Darkest Part of The Night; and I Was Beautiful When I Was Alive turns on a strange Tangerine Dream/Pink Floyd axis.
However, you may find yourself returning again and again to Hold On. It's a subtle anthem with a simple message about priorities in a world of banal self-absorption and dumb distraction.
“I don’t hear much fanfare for the common man today, we got lost in the mirror but the mirror looks both ways.” sings Love or is it McGinley or maybe it's Blake. Either way, as a f*** you to The Man it’s far more effective than the manufactured rage of most keyboard warriors.
Teenage Fanclub - as reliable as an old cardie and that’s why you keep them around.
Alan Corr @corralan
