As a Scot, I have a problem with "best of Scottish..." compilations. Even the most recent have regurgitated the same old bands from the halcyon days of Scottish pop. The Final Fling for Homecoming Live has also been criticised for a line up that features Deacon Blue, Lloyd Cole, Hue & Cry, Midge Ure and The Bluebells, hardly the current crop by any stretch of the imagination. So it made pleasant listening when I heard "A Sort of Homecoming: The Best of New Scottish Music". There are no cop-outs or compromises to be found here. My hunch is that none of these bands were invited to the official Homecoming concert this month, but as we've established, that is probably no bad thing.
This album provides more than just a snapshot of the Scottish indie-pop scene circa 2009; it is actually a really good collection of songs. This was my first introduction to, well... most of the bands on the compilation (if I'm honest), but I will definitely be dipping into a few back catalogues. The 21-song tracklisting features a mishmash of pop styles, straddling folk, rock, country and punk.
|
Personal 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. The rest of the bands also show that the Scottish music scene still shines brightly.
Fourtrak Records deserve the Hootenanny-style plaudits for highlighting indie bands that don't get the exposure of big record companies. 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.
|
