Named after the debut single by Teenage Fanclub.
This blog is all about being a music lover in Glasgow; reviews, interviews, memories, old faves, new discoveries (past and present), playlists and more. Thanks for visiting - I hope you discover something amazing you have never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite.
Regular features/playlists; Never Ending Mixtape / Cover Version of the Month/ Trust Me.
Insta - @everythingflowsglasgow
Earlier on this year I heard this kind of crazy, yet melodic, synthy, psychedelic sound coming out of my speaker as I listened to Lauren Laverne on 6 Music. The story being told and the hook really got me.
And I want to walk around with you
I want to walk around with you
The song was Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective and I immediately started a draft blog so I could return to the song to write about it in ... the summertime. I should have had it ready to go for the heatwave!
A great big dirty synth kicks things off, joined by bass and a beat, a further synth riff and backing vocals come in. Animal Collective layer things beautifully.
And then the vocals. A fast flowing melody builds to the chorus, harmonies are introduced at all the right times, for a little extra lift and energy.
The lyrics tell the tale of a baking hot summer night, it's too hot to sleep, so a couple just go out walking through the city, all the way until dawn breaks.
Summertime Clothes was released back in 2009 as a single and on the bands Merriweather Post Pavillion album. An old friend who I worked with at the time talked about Animal Collective constantly. I don't know why I didn't check them out!
Listening to this song makes me wish I was younger, wandering around in the summer sun with a friend/girlfriend, without a care in the world. I really love the energy, feeling and beautiful psychedelic synth pop vibe Animal Collective created.
When the sun goes down we'll go out again
When the sun goes down we'll go out again
Animal Collective play Saint Luke's in Glasgow on 9th November. TICKETS HERE
The other day I was alerted to the fact that Moon Safari by Air is 20-years old. What an album it is! Flowing, imaginative, funny, soulful and reflective, full of joyous and melancholic synths, intertwining riffs and melodies, beautiful vocals and a real sense of freedom. It really is majestic.
Earlier on today I played the album, lounging around as the snow fell outside and I was reminded of all of the above and more. I've actually listened to it 3-times today!
I caught the band playing the Old Fruitmarket as they toured the album. Sean Lennon supported and I actually stood beside him in the lead up to Air coming on stage. The DJ dropped The Word by The Beatles and he went back side stage. The 22-year old me was desperately caught in two minds regarding whether to talk to him or not. I wish I had!
La Femme D'Argent is a stunning opener. There is a groove to the bass, flowing synths, dreamy backing vocals and beautiful melodies. It is so easy to get lost in this song. I always used to put it on mix tapes and mix CD's.
Sexy Boy was the 'hit'. The video of Nicolas Godin and Jean Benoit-Dunkel walking about New York City and buying a monkey with a Sexy Boy t-shirt on and subsequently going off to fantasise about things was genius and helped take Air and Moon Safari overground. There guitar/synth riff and Sexy Boyhook are captivating from the off, the sultry French vocals are the sugar on top. The instrumental solo section is sublime.
The reflective side of Air comes across on All I Need, beautiful psychedelic folky riffs combine over simple percussion and more dreamy vocals take the listener on a trip.
All I need's a little time
To get behind the sun and cast this weight
Air's sense of pop that they displayed on Sexy Boy is taken a step further with Kelly Watch The Stars, a song that takes the listener on a different kind of trip via repetition rather than they flowing riffs and melodies that are evident throughout the album. That said, there is still plenty of space in the song for Air to flow and the instrumental section really does lift the song to another level.
As for Talisman, I can't recall an instrumental as emotive, it really does speak volumes. Rising and falling and generally just evidencing sheer brilliance. Remember features repetitive lyrics, but again it is music that captivates.
You Make it Easy is the most 'wordy' song on Moon Safari and it is a tale of love asking questions of how the lovers found each other and marvelling at how life now is.
You make it easy to watch the world with love
You make it easy to let the past be done
The layers of riffs and melodies are pure and sublime on Ce Matin-La with gentle horns introduced alongside strings. Another melancholic soulful masterpiece. Who needs words?
Moon Safari really does take the listener on a trip. As a complete body of work it is stunning, yet individually each track is capable of doing that as well. New Star In The Sky is moody and broody (great album for the bedroom!).
The trip ends with Le voyage de Penelope and again it is so easy to immerse yourself and get lost in the gorgeous music and vibes that the dup create.
Moon Safari is a truly captivating album that sounds like it was conceived with an incredible amount of love, care and attention. I found myself listening to 3-times today. Enjoy, whether you are listening to it for the first time ever or the first time in a while.
Chvrches have had a rather incredible 15-months since they exploded on to the scene with a show at the Art School in Glasgow in July last year (read my review here).
I imagine that the band must be almost relieved that their debut album 'The Bones Of What You Believe' is finally out.
'The Bones Of What You Believe' is a fascinating album, extremely polished pop on the surface, often with darker, menacing undertones. The production is crystal clear, staying clear of the trap that many modern acts fall into - that of over-production. The songs have space to breath, there are hooks galore with synths (lots of them) beats and bass combining in a glorious manner and Lauren Mayberry's vocals are delicious; sweet at times, capable of anger, revenge, hurt and heartfelt emotion at others.
The opening song 'The Mother We Share' is a song that anyone with a remote interest in the band will be familiar with. The 'go-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh' hook in the verses is pure pop, the chorus soars. A truly brilliant start.
'We Sink' is even better (in my opinion). I listened to this 5-times in a row before going on to the next song! Bass-y synths kick things off and the beats come in. There is a menace to Mayberry's vocals;
Bleed out, what the fuck were you thinking?
This is a love song with a difference, the vocal melody is simple, effective and catchy, the lyrics cut like a knife yet also offer hope at the end.
I'll be a thorn in your side
Til you die
I'll be a thorn in your side
For always
If we sink
We lift our love
'Gun' is an exceptional and intelligent modern pop song, changing pace cleverly throughout. Mayberry is on fire with the lyrics and her delivery, this is a girl not to be messed with.
You had better run from me
With everything you own
Cause i am gonna come for you
With all that I have
'Tether' slows things down and if we didn't get the hint from the previous songs then this song is clear proof that 'The Bones Of What We Believe' is a break-up album. There is a stunning break down 2 minutes 9 -seconds in when Mayberry sings;
I'm feeling capable of
Seeing the end
I'm feeling capable of
Saying it's over
Her voice is fragile, sounding sad that things are over. The music then lifts to an all out EDM dance-floor filler, Mayberry repeats the phrase over-and-over as if to convince herself that she can end it. Stunning.
'Lies' is the song that Chvrches (then known as Churches) chose to launch themselves into the world with. The synths are not as pure pop as those in some of the previous songs (think Gary Numan's 'Cars'), they are darker, as are the lyrics.
'Under The Tide' features lead vocals by Martin Doherty. If our heroine has been under some pressure in a relationship and going through a break up, then this is a friend coming to her aid, letting her know she has someone to turn to.
Head up, head up
And stay strong
Holding your head up, head up
Keep holding, holding
'Recover' was released as a single in early 2013, a little teaser after the band were named in the influential BBC Sound of 2013 top 5.
Synths are all over this song yet there is plenty of room for the song to breath. Mayberry, yet again, sings superbly, the lyrics and their delivery fit in perfectly with the music - rising superbly in the section;
I'll give you one more chance
To say we can change or part ways
And you take what you need
And you don't need me
'Night Sky' starts slowly but the chorus instantly reminded me of Ladyhawke - catchy pop.
'Science/Vision' is darker and also more experimental.
'Lungs' is somewhere in between, Mayberry's vocal melody is clever and catchy, somehow squeezing in the vocals to match. This time she's with another girls guy.
How long, 'til you leave her
You should know that
We're alone this time
'By The Throat' returns to theme of a love that is over. Glorious synths explode into action for the chorus
All that's golden is never old
And I won't play fair with you this time
All that's golden is never sold
And I'll be thankful when you let go
'You Caught The Light' brings the album to a close. An extended intro that would fit perfectly into Days of Thunder/Top Gun leaves you wondering if it is an instrumental on first listen. The synths fade to a stark male vocal.
And then it is over.
'The Bones Of What You Believe' is an excellent debut. The first half of the album is particularly strong, containing some sensational pop songs with real depth to them. After a number of listens I did find myself wanting a little more warmth to the production or some guitars, but as the review reads; this is definitely an album worth checking out.
I look forward to seeing Chvrches at the ABC in Glasgow in October to see how they translate live. With a heavy year of touring behind them, Chvrches should be in great form for what is sure to be a warm homecoming.
