The last part of Novembers singles is mainly a homegrown affair with the second song from Upturned Boats for this month, along with Port Sulphur and Quad 90 fresh from their Stereo gig, the latest offerings from The Braes and the mighty Soapbox. Last word goes to Dead Pioneers who have a few harsh words to say in the wake of the month of Thanksgiving in the US…
Upturned Boats – Please Don’t Go
As if one sweepingly majestic song in a month isn’t enough, Upturned Boats once again test my ability to keep my composure as the heart melting melancholy of Please Don’t Go hits hard.
Port Sulphur – Meta Guru
The sonic soundscapes created by Douglas McIntyre and Co are always a treat to the eardrums, this radio edit of title track of latest LP Meta Guru is no exception, it’s Joy Division-esque intro opening up into a majestic soaring masterpiece.
Quad 90 – Too Much, Too Soon
As we move into the dark and dank days of the winter, Quad 90 are around to provide a ray of sunshine with their reggae tinged single Too Much, Too Soon, a song whose first line has me itching to watch a certain brat pack movie featuring Mary Stuart Masterson…
The Braes – Proper
The Braes is a shopping centre just up the road from me in Castlemilk, it is also the name of a quality five piece alt-rock band from Paisley. And their latest single Proper is proper good. Addictive hooks and riffs that take me back to bands like The Four of Us in the 90s, with a distinctive textured vocal that sets them apart from the fray.
Soapbox – Disgrace
Soapbox are on their, well, soapbox with their latest tirelessly energetic two minute romp of single ranting at the price of pint. The line “What do you mean six quid it used to be four” strikes a chord with me, mainly in making me feel old as I remember 50p pints…
Dead Pioneers – My Spirit Animal Ate Your Spirit Animal
You get where Dead Pioneers are going straight away when the opening sample grabs you by the scruff of your throat… “stoopid fuckin white man”. The ire in the lyrics, which are spat out with venom and tackle, among other things, historical humanitarian crimes and cultural appropriation, is matched by the vicious driving urgency of the music.