Uncle Bob have had quite a chequered history. Originally a Glasgow combo, they started in the early 2000s but emerged fully around 2006, with some tracks from their first two albums having initial success on TV soundtracks.
Not enough success however, and they disbanded a few years ago. The singer-songwriter who appears to have been the core of the combo, Rick Webster, then upped sticks to Edinburgh and called former members for another recording, and this is it.
‘Embers’ at 35 mins and 9 tracks is quite concise. It starts slowly, the first track building from quiet beginnings into quite an anthem, with some nice backing instrumentation – quite gentle but rousing nonetheless.
Album title track ‘Embers’ is a more upbeat proposition, higher BPM and more strident of riffs, with some nice bass shifts, recalling something a bit like Teenage Fanclub or even Snow Patrol, although some worrying Coldplay moments as well. Its lyrics are a bit mainstream – “I don’t want to let this moment go” – are they imagining the TITP crowd main stage flags waving? It’s not bad to dream but I think they could channel their talents a bit more precisely.
Track 3 ‘If You Believe’ starts unpromisingly with several lines of “I will wait for you” – personally I am sick of the Mumford vibe and for it to be invoked so explicitly is very disappointing. Betty will allow one mistake, but just one, guys.
Other tracks have some nice guitar work, a bit of banjo, and Cairn Quartet string arrangements but it is just all a bit wistful and trying too hard to invoke romance and regret. There is however a good chance that the formula in songwriting might well strike paydirt sooner or later if they get the right exposure, there is that commercial potential there – Betty might have to eat her own suspender belt yet.
Later track ‘Brother’ has some potential but the bar is quite high for emerging artists in Scotland these days.
Yes fair enough, last track ‘Lightning’ has a lush backing, lovely melody and Betty suspects she will be humming it in the shower tomorrow morning, so fair play to this sensitive emotional indie combo… just remember that Betty is a cold-hearted bitch so don’t take it too hard.
(Oh crap, I’ve just heard track 2 again – ‘Embers’ – and, you know, it could be a monster, or a Match of the Day highlights montage soundtrack at the very least – excuse Betty’s cynicism).