Sometimes, a band’s name says a lot (Iron Maiden, The Damned, Cheeky Girls…).
In the case of this Glasgow-based combo, images are conjured up of a troupe of bearded musicians strumming enthusiastically, lifting the spirits after a hard day’s battle against the elements.
However, opener ‘Kopfkino’ throbs electronically with almost Krautrock beats and with Robert Canavan’s rich brogue, the tune’s more Phantom Band than The Corries, though its lusty chorus could easily work ‘unplugged’.
But aside from the doomy chill that is ‘The Sky Is Taking On Light’ – their countrymates Admiral Fallow the closest reference – it’s all very modern, and very catchy.
By the time ‘With A Ragged Diamond’s arrived, things have warmed up nicely – with nary a woolly pullover in sight.
(This review originally appeared in the Buchan Observer)