Scottish albums

Savings and Loan

Savings and Loan
Gold Soundz

Of the 7 tracks on this album – recorded at the studio of Andrew Bush, sometime 13th Note soundman and De Rosa member – each contains a gravel-voiced and rambled monologue. more… “Savings and Loan”

The French Quarter

We’re Not French
Self-released

The French Quarter. Immediately I think of New Orleans and the seminal book set in the meteorologically unfortunate city, A Confederacy of Dunces. Those of you without a literary bone to your musical bodies may choose to ignore the next comment, but in describing We’re Not French, the first thing to tell you is that, despite the (somewhat feeble) connection, these seven tracks are the antithesis of Ignatius J Reilly. By that I mean to encapsulate the following adjectives: it’s inspired, it’s tranquil, it’s distinctive. more… “The French Quarter”

Glasvegas

Glasvegas
Columbia/Sony

…And so here it comes. Possibly the most anticipated debut of the year, and one of the most anticipated debuts from Scotland ever. Unknown and unsigned a year ago, the fever of anticipation surrounding Glasvegas is such that you can already sense some people sharpening the knives, ready to cut them down to size. more… “Glasvegas”

Whisky Galore

A Night On the Piss / A Year on the Dole
self-released

Not a concept album , though given the title, perhaps these guys might examine that oeuvre in future? For now, this introduction to the band shows that they’re proudly Glaswegian, the folkish tunes and whimsical moothie/banjo do indeed suggest something you might hear in the corner of a more ‘traditional’ city centre pub. more… “Whisky Galore”

The Ossians

The Macpherson Tapes

If the Ossians, the band documented in Doug Johnstone’s book of the same name, really had the potential to be indie legends then it’d be a shame if the fictional act never got round to recording. Thus, 7 tracks from a fictional act which existed entirely in the head of Johnstone, provide some sort of epitaph. more… “The Ossians”

Luva Anna

Made Without Compromise EP
2Thumbs

Ignoring Alamos and a few select others, the Dundee scene was briefly lookingly worryingly close to dying on its arse. With too many bands trying to emulate the success of The View (who, let’s face it, aren’t up to much themselves), a once thriving scene was getting very near saturation point. more… “Luva Anna”

Biffy Clyro

Singles 2001-2005
Beggars Banquet

Last year, Biffy Clyro’s fourth studio album ‘Puzzle’ took them into the big-time with a higher profile than they had ever had before. Yet this collection of singles from their time with Beggars Banquet gives an excellent insight into their earlier days. more… “Biffy Clyro”

Unbunny

Snow Tires
Affairs Of The Heart

Snow Tires is Unbunny’s fifth album. It was originally released in 2004, but only now gets its’ European issue, through German label Affairs Of The Heart with two extra tracks from a long-ago deleted EP. more… “Unbunny”