There are several tracks/singles and EPs that I have been sitting on for a while or I’ve just received that been enjoying recently
Katherine Aly
Starting with the sublime Katherine Aly. The Skin I’m Made Of is an achingly beautiful piano driven ballad. Aly has a beautifully distinctive voice, crisp and clear with no warbling affectations and the song reaches the parts other vocalists can’t reach. Some may have been lucky enough to catch her recently as I believe she supported Goodbye Mr MacKenzie in Dundee. I hope to hear a lot more from her in future.
The Martial Arts
Next up is stalwart of the Scottish indie scene, Paul Kelly, returning with The Martial Arts. His latest offering, the I Used to Be… EP kicks off with New Performance. The track initially giving off a ska-lite feel before seemingly becoming the bastard offspring of The Divine Comedy and Stephen “Tin Tin” Duffy. Lush. As in it sounds, not the band or over-fragrant shopping experience.
Anyway. The four tunes on offer are a welcome shot of sunshine-injected indie-pop, even more welcome as I write this looking out on pissing rain. EP title track I Used to Be… could have been a hit 1970’s ballad, I am imagining the likes of Donnie and Marie on Top of the Pops with the audience all bedecked in flares, massive round collared shirts and tight tank tops looking up adoringly, with heads swaying along in time.
Beguiling psychedelic keyboards underline the delightful harmonies on How Will I Progress? Before, perhaps the highlight of the EP for me, final track, You’ve Ruined Everything. The strings adding an extra layer of texture to the driving persistence of the song, reminding me of the magnificence of My Life Story. Another triumphant release for the wonderful Last Night From Glasgow label.
Duncan Reid & the Big Heads
Duncan Reid & the Big Heads continue to retain their crown as the kings and queens of Power Pop Punk with the 7” Vinyl EP Kelly’s Gone Insane. I believe this EP is a pre-cursor to some anniversary re-releases of earlier albums and hopefully a new album soon… The title track is well-kent by fans of the band being a long-standing live favourite from first album Little Big Head. The additional two tracks Pretty Little Rachel and Baby Baby seal the deal, addictive riffs and harmonies abound with choruses that will have you singing along without a care in the world. Duncan Reid & the Big Heads, the world’s premier proponents of melodic power pop. And they just happen to be one of the nicest bunches of reprobates you could ever hope to meet! (Note – the band in the video is not the current line-up). Get the vinyl now from Crocodile Records.
David Delinquent
On the subject of Pop Punk, David Delinquent leaves his bandmates behind after the tremendous Sober on Sunday EP to release the track awarded the longest title prize for this post in Lets Cry Like Fuck Together in the Dark. Never being one to shy away from opening his heart, he bares his soul on this heartfelt acoustic tune. Coming across like an acoustic Saves the Day, this is raw and emotional. Head over to bandcamp to check it out.
Year Zero
Talking about crying…there have been a lot of tears shed for Garry Borland of Heavy Drapes over the last year and the final tracks I’ve been listening to recently are from Year Zero, whose Heart Shaped Bullets EP is dedicated to the late Heavy Drapes frontman and Mickey Ramone Coyle. The band who play an appetising blend of glam-edged power punk. The lead track wouldn’t sound out of place in the first wave of ‘76/’77 punk with a hook laden chorus. Heavy Manners is the glammest of the tracks on offer, with some appropriate heavy glam riffing, while Dudes pays tribute to the late great David Bowie, the dudes mentioned here are no longer young, but the song advocates making the most of life while we’re still here – a sentiment I back 100%. Heart Shaped Bullets – four shots straight out of the chamber fired with love and passion.