Various Artists
A Sort Of Homecoming (Fourtrak)
A Sort of Homecoming bills itself as a championing the best of Scotland’s up and coming talent; compiled by Peebles based label Fourtrak Records who’ve taken a slightly outsider method with their selection of bands who’ve been underexposed - and haven’t been included in this years ubiquitous official Homecoming musical celebrations (the title of which incidentally they’ve mischievously appropriated into their album title).
As with most compilations albums they can be a mixed bag, but they often throw up a few gems that can’t be ignored. True to form ‘A Sort of Homecoming’s 21 tracks collection follows a similar route, while many tracks fall wide of the mark - innocuous indie that ironically mimics Americanised affectations - there are a few diamonds in the rough that you can’t ignore.
The relative veterans of the pack Odeon Beat Club’s ‘The New Kate Moss’ starts with a sixties sounding folk like strum to a light rat-a-tat-tat percussive beat and a candid witty delivery “There’s little more that’s depressing in life, when your meeting no one, and seeing no one and your life is summed up in ‘Who Soon Is Now’“ slowly building to a rousing sing along foot tapping anthem.
The Great Money Trick’s ‘Ring Around You’ is a gloriously nostalgic throwback to 80’s like acts such as Cocteau Twins while harnessing The Cure’s poppiest moments with a bit of The Breeders thrown in for good measure. Bobbing basslines, glorious wit, sonic depth and beautiful female vocals, other retro shoegaze-worshiping bands (Pains of being Pure at Heart, take note) plough a similar furrow but don’t mange to leave such an indelible impression as The Great Money Trick’s impeccable catchy clever pop.
The Starlets ‘Running Out of Saturday’ brings a most delicate beauty to proceedings, with wispy vocals and soft treading pensive strings arrangements with the merest sense of angst creeping in.
The Social Services ‘This Far North’ is a slow piano-driven number with touches of jazz that utilizes the Scottish vernacular but holds a strong European influence (no doubt due to having a Swede amongst their ranks and touring those parts extensively), this moving ballad should certainly make you want keep an ear out for The Social Services future output.
Iain Shaw’s ‘Dinosaur Egg’ opens the wonderful world of whimsy as his acoustic soft-hearted touching ditty tells an odd tales about a dinosaur egg, utilizing artist David Shringley’s absurd but engaging poem for his lyrics.
Keeping with the eclecticism Red Ammo’s ‘Bridges’ firmly treads in American singer songwriter territory… managing not to sound insincere or trite in the process, calling to mind the likes of Aimee Mann and other such angst filled raconteurs.
St. Andrews students Bring Back The Planes’ ‘Nervous’ is a modern folk-rock master-class with male-female dynamic interplay, abundant hand-claps and energy galore, taking their cue from the likes Noah and the Whale and the inimitable Frank Turner, they bring life and vitality to the party and show no signs of flagging.
While I wholeheartedly applaud and commend the premise of promoting and backing bands from without the catchment and consciousness of the Glasgow and Edinburgh-centric media and music scene, it’s a long stretch to describe the compilation as the best of new Scottish Music, but when it’s throws up gems from relative unknowns such as those mentioned above it’s surely proved a worthwhile exercise and exploration.
Craig Harkness
