The Xcerts’ 2009 debut ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ is said to have been created from personal tragedy and if you thought their second album would be perhaps a little more optimistic, you were wrong. From start to finish, ‘Scatterbrain’ is painstakingly crafted with raw emotion and energy, seeping through all the instruments and sounds but most of all through frontman Murray Macleod’s expressive vocals.
Opener and title track ‘Scatterbrain’ explodes with manic thundering guitar riffs and screeching vocals before blending into the much calmer yet still unnerving verse – definitely one of the standout tracks. ‘Distant Memory’ gives a clear example of the raw emotion which drives the record, with heart-breaking vocals over one of the most depressing yet most beautiful chord progressions you will ever hear.
‘Slackerpop’ was the first we heard of this new and much heavier sound from The Xcerts when it was released in the summer. A hyper-pop anthem, the first single from the record provides a short-lived lighter mood on the album while ‘I Scare Easy’ returns to the gloomy theme, led by Macleod’s soft Aberdeen accented vocals before the emotion builds and a heavy pounding riff kicks in two minutes in. ‘Young (Belane)’ was released as the second single and is one of the few tracks that recall the light rock sound of the band’s debut, reminiscent of tracks such as ‘Do You Feel Safe?’ and ‘Home Versus Home’. ‘He Sinks. He Sleeps’ stands out in terms of its darkness both musically and lyrically with a haunting lullaby-like chorus. Piercing guitar, powerful vocals and relentless pounding drums dominate ‘Hurt With Me’ as closing track ‘Lament’ plays the album out with a melancholic ballad.
So full of emotion, but to call it emo couldn’t be further from the truth. This second album from the little band from Aberdeen is doing incredibly well in giving them the exposure they so rightly deserve.