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Reviews
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In this Reviews section, we collect all the reviews that we find either in newspapers, magazines or on the web. If you know of any dotted around that we haven't included here could you please email them to info@fourtrakrecords.co.uk and we'll upload them.
A Sort Of Homecoming
By Rick Fulton, 6 November
Various Artists A Sort of Homecoming: The Best of New Scottish Music
A GREAT way to get a snapshot at the quality and direction of where Scottish music is going now.
There's the country rock swagger of Kings of Leon in Edinburgh five-piece Jakil's OK... I'm Ready and Glasgow's 32 Miles To Breakfasts' Before Dawn.
Scotland's love affair with American music continues with Odeon Beatclub's pastoral shindig of The New Kate Moss as earthy as she is plastic.
Also check out Jono's Stuck in the City, a rootsy acoustic number Paolo Nutini would be proud of.
Of course, this being a Scottish album there's always going to be some poppy jangle. And the female-fronted The Great Money Trick and their Rings Around You is a real blast from the great Postcard era.
Pure McFly pop even gets a spot with Andy Knox's Half Awake.
There's also the quirky. I've reviewed Iain Shaw before and this album includes the magnificent Dinosaur Egg.
So how is Scottish music? On this album the Oasis/Franz Ferdinand copycats seem to have bitten the dust. Almost all of the acts featured deserve to be in the charts. Now it's up to you to give them the chance.
(Read more)
By Andrew Eaton, 15 November
listening to a new compilation CD and feeling a warm nostalgic glow
grateful for alerting me to Social Services (quirky, piano-driven pop), Bring Back The Planes (four students from St Andrews who sound more than a little like Aberfeldy) and Owen Thomas (a kind of one man Kings of Convenience)
Fourtrak is honouring the spirit of those cottage industry community-spirited labels of the past
reminds me of the Creation records long before Oasis came along, a friendly little sanctuary for acts who deserve an enthusiastic champion
(Read more)
By Alan Morrison, 15 November
unsung heroes currently on the wrong side of the cusp of recognition
Fingers crossed that a few might surface in the T Break tent at the next T in the Park
Among the diverse tracks, personal favourites include the crisp rythmic drive of To The Bone by Thieves in Suits
and the tuning eccentricities that bring a Robert Wyatt quality to the vocals of This Far North by The Social Services
Gold stars too for the indie unplugged of Red Ammo's Bridges, the loveable xylophone and fiddle quirks of Bring Back The Planes' Nervous, and the jaunty country harmonies of Katrina Borhan's See You There
(Read more)
By Craig Harkness, 25 December
Long Players: Rating 3/5
there are a few diamonds in the rough that you can't ignore
Odeon Beatclub's candid witty delivery... 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
The Starlets 'Running Out of Saturday' brings a most delicate beauty to proceedings, with wispy vocals and soft treading pensive strings arrangements
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
Iain Shaw's 'Dinosaur Egg' opens the wonderful world of whimsy as his acoustic soft-hearted touching ditty tells an odd tale about a dinosaur egg, utilizing artist David Shringley's absurd but engaging poem
Red Ammo's 'Bridges' firmly treads in American singer songwriter territory... calling to mind the likes of Aimee Mann and other such angst filled raconteurs
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
when the compilation throws up gems from relative unknowns such as those mentioned above it's surely proved a worthwhile exercise and exploration
(Read more)
FORUM: Does Scottish music still pack a punch?
provides a snapshot of the best new Scottish music in the Homecoming year
Edinburgh wide boys Jakil provide the opening salvo with the jumpy “OK… I’m Ready” in the first round
Ring veterans Odeon Beatclub and The Starlets put in a polished performance
The Great Money Trick tease opponents with “Rings Around You”, an infectious jangly pop affair
Souvenir Issue provide the upper cuts to match the hooks on “Iconoplastic”
Iain Shaw blindsided me with “Dinosaur Egg” and Thieves In Suits’ “To The Bone” almost floored me
on this showing Scottish music still packs a punch. It has a warm nostalgic feel that reminded me of Jim Watt or Ken Buchanan in their prime. Lightweight kings of the world! Unfurl that Lion Rampant
(Read more)
Scotland's Treasure by Colin Galbraith, 1 February
MUSIC REVIEW
No compilation album aiming to capture the best of new Scottish music talent would be complete without a mixture of indie rock and folk
A Sort of Homecoming is the perfect blend of magnetic music under a high-flying Scotland banner
Ok… I’m Ready, a track you can instantly picture thousands bouncing to at T in the Park
Choksky Allstars pick things up again with a rampant rock track, The Big I Am
a roller coaster of tunes as pleasant to listen to over Sunday afternoon coffee as it is when psyching up for a Friday night out on the town
The jewels in this particular album come from Jono with a delightful number called Stuck in the City, Thieves in Suits with the foot tapping To The Bone, Vertis with the unforgettable Without You, and 13 Miles to Breakfast with Before Dawn
Kudos to Four Trak and kudos to all the bands and artists involved with this album
(Read more)
Album Review: Rating 9/10
There are no cop-outs or compromises to be found here
it is actually a really good collection of songs
favourites include Jakil's funk-edged pop on "OK... I'm Ready", the harmony-kissed country-rock on 32 Miles to Breakfast's "Before Dawn", and the soon to be newest stars of the indie-folk scene Bring Back The Planes' "Nervous"
Odeon Beatclub make good their earlier promise with "The New Kate Moss", Thieves in Suits give a foot stomping account of themselves with their widescreen-indie pop, while Jono and Andy Knox drizzle the proceedings with sunshine pop
If you're a Tartan-clad exile with thoughts of home, if you're curious about which Scottish bands are coming up, or if you just love music, "A Sort of Homecoming" is your rock
(Read more)
SOUND SNOB
Compilation celebrates the best new Scottish music in the Homecoming year
Album Review: Rating 8/10
"A Sort of Homecoming" is a charming surprise
Mostly it is a rock and pop collection, but its two forays into other genres that leave you wanting more
There's a lot more to like on this overstuffed album too. Like the supershiny mix of pop, rock and funk from Jakil...
the staggeringly beautiful string-laden "Running Out of Saturday" from Japanese pin-ups The Starlets
there's absolutely no way that you'll love the full thing or hate all of this either, though the selection is still pretty damn good
(Read more)
By Chris Buckle, 1 December
Not the most compilmentary review, but we include them all (good and bad). Here are the positives:
several artists deserve the attention
Odeon Beatclub continue to hover just outside the mainstream but prove again they have the chops to cross over
Iain Shaw matches typically oddball David Shrigley lyrics to a suitably simple melody
Souvenir Issue resurrect resilient, rough-hewn indie-pop smarts
cherry-picking through iTunes might yield one or two fresh discoveries
(Read more)
By Kenny Paterson, 5 November
It's sort of good (Read more)
By Matt Meade, 5 November
Band selected for new album (Read more)
By Time Out, 30 October
Fourtrak Records bring music home
By Simon Duke, 4 November
Berwick singer featured on new 'homecoming' CD
Other links:
NEMIS Press Release (Read more)
National Gig Guide Press Release (Read more)
Six Storeys High
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By Rick Fulton, 4 June
Edinburgh teenagers create heartfelt rock in the Embrace mould
(Read more)
By Mikey Serpico, 20 June
an impressive and eagerly awaited debut... full of catchy hooks, big melodies, and sing-along choruses
This is what Scotland does better than anywhere else in the world: intelligent pop music with an injection of aggression and downright bitterness
Six Storeys High have written an EP that is full of anthemic and unstoppable songs
possess something truly great and look set to cement themselves in my music collection after such a shining debut
(Read more)
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By Alan Ashton Smith, 6 June
style is melodic pop-rock and their mood is predominantly angsty
Opener ‘Emergency Call’ is a riff on loneliness and alienation, while ‘Five Times Better’, the pick of the bunch, describes dumping a girl for her friend
Stephen Gray’s vocals are refreshingly different
grungey sneer that sets them apart from many of their peers
(Read more)
By Nina Glencross, 1 July
Short Players: Rating 3/5
Six Storeys High have everything a good rock band needs, from powerful lyrics and vocals to pounding drums, killer melodies and a good dose of heavy riffage
have the sound of a proper live rock band
'Slide Away' as a live track would undoubtedly raise hell in the audience
the EP doesn’t do justice to the band’s true sound and if you enjoy the EP you will enjoy their live shows tenfold
(Read more)
incredible debut EP... ability to write catchy and emotive pop
boasts delicious verses that lead perfectly into huge, soaring choruses
this is a sonic assault that can caress you one minute and rip your face off the next
The final result is an EP that stands tall among their peers
(Read more)
SOUND SNOB
grabs the listener by the scruff of the throat and refuses to let go
it has the hooks to hang your hat on while managing to put you through the emotional mincer
the sort of song you can imagine playing incredibly loud while driving very fast
Overall the result is an uplifting debut that would sound equally at home in a swaying stadium or a lovelorn teenager's bedroom
(Read more) |
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Iain Petrie
Iain Petrie released his debut album last year with a showcase gig at The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh and The Enterprise in London. I'll Stay By You is available to buy on CD and download.
UNSIGNED CHART
"A Scottish singer/songwriter obviously taking his cues from the whole American west coast Laurel Canyon scene of the early seventies, Iain Petrie is someone whose music invokes hazy images of James Taylor, Crosby Stills and Nash, Joni Mitchell and The Eagles."
"Echoes of The Band, The Eagles and The Byrds scattered throughout his music, all jangly guitars and laid back upbeat melodicism."
"It Comes and Goes is a song that feels instantly classic and wonderfully realised"
"I'LL STAY BY YOU introduces Iain Petrie as a singer/songwriter capable of conjuring up the sublime and beautiful...
an impressive, well realised debut well worth checking out."
THE LIST
"Not neatly fitting in any genre, he tip-toes through pop, folk, soul and jazz with a Celtic slant. On this, the debut offering from Iain Petrie, the styles may be varied, but the result is an album of no small beauty."
"Iain Petrie should finally receive the recognition he deserves with his debut album."
"Rich, varied and just plain pretty (like his native land), 'I'll Stay By You' is sure to find a place in your heart."
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THE SKINNY
"The combination of folk-rock and mellow pop that Iain Petrie stirs with his unique recipe for 'organic Celtic soul' makes for a stew of music that can stand alone as a main dish."
"A winning combination of melodic folk-pop songs – with a distinctly Celtic flavour."
IS THIS MUSIC?
"Sounding strangely like some ’80s Paul McCartney reincarnation"
"Even the staccato keys in ‘My Best Shot’ sounds like Wings or admittedly McCartney’s recent best moments"
"Very retro and quite folksy... sprinkled with gentle melodies"
MUSIC FORTE
"Iain Petrie combines chiming guitars and tight vocal harmonies to evoke memories of jangly ‘60s folk rock, ‘70s Southern California country rock, and ‘80s and ‘90s power pop."
"I’ll Stay By You is full of catchy hooks, managing to sound familiar yet fresh."
DROWNED IN SOUND
"Albums like I’ll Stay By You may not top the charts, but they have a timeless quality. I'm reminded of James Taylor and John Martyn, but I'm also thinking that this is the kind of record Paul McCartney should still be making."
"The kind of upbeat melodic pop music which echoes in your head even when you’re not listening to it"
"Serves up a vignette of folk pop guitars that swirl around the vocal harmonies"
"Iain Petrie manages to tap into his spirituality and has the upbeat melodicism to deliver."
TIME OUT LONDON
"By the time they finished with ‘Love You a Little Bit More’, the feeling was most definitely mutual."
"It won’t be long before these guys are showcasing their talents on a bigger stage."
MP3.COM
"An album that manages to fill a niche in the Scottish music scene between Hobotalk and Aberfeldy."
"Iain Petrie's stock in trade is very much perfect 60s pop rather than austere folk."
"The album is the aural equivalent of a duck down quilt, lulling you and enveloping your mind with its luxurious mix of strummed guitars and soulful organs drizzled with gorgeous harmonies."
"Has a snuggled warmth and gentle charm that stays firmly on the right side of sugary sweet."
THE METRO
"If John Martyn and James Taylor were in The Beatles, it might have sounded like this."
WHISPERIN AND HOLLERIN
"Brings to mind the old school pop of The Beatles and The Beach Boys."
"The soon-to-be-newest star in the folk-pop sky"
"As a writer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist, Petrie is a craftsman who deserves an in-depth listen."
THE BEAT SURRENDER
"The lyrics are heartfelt but punchy at the same time and the music really well played."
"I found myself nodding along and tapping my toes in time to the music"
"No doubting Iain Petrie is a great songwriter and musician"
FLAVORPILL
"Petrie and his quartet blend jazz, folk and slick old-school pop into mellow songs that swirl around Beach Boys-esque harmonies."
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NATIONAL GIG GUIDE
"Steal Away is an infectiously catchy slice of pop"
"Iain Petrie has a unique and quirky pop sensibility."
NATIONAL GIG GUIDE
"Drawing from folk, soul, jazz and 60's pop, Iain Petrie has a unique style that defies definition."
URBANSCOT
"One of the most visionary artists in Scotland"
STOORIEFIT
"Riding the surfing waves of West Coast (Dorset) cool... almost Dougie McLean meets Blur."
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© 2010 Fourtrak Records Tel: +44 (0) 7792846527 email: info@fourtrakrecords.co.uk
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