I doubt that anyone listening to this album blind would guess that they are from Scotland. Their blues, bluegrass and roots sound has a very strong American flavour and so, needless to say, they have absolutely nothing in common with the Glaswegian Reid siblings of The Jesus And Mary Chain.
The Aberdeen-based five piece comprise two brothers, Michael (lead vocals, guitars) and Christopher (backing vocals, more guitars) with the third vocal contribution being that of Rory Comerford who also plays fiddle, harmonica (moothy), mandolin, electric guitar and keys. Bass and drums are provided by Grant Anderson and Alan Haste respectively.
The band resurrect a gentle 60s spirit with melodic three part harmonies and a DIY energy more akin to a group of happy go lucky buskers than punk rebels.
The nine track album lasts just over half an hour and begins and ends with Roadhouse Blues style workouts in the shape of Done And Dusted and the title track. The harmonica and driving rhythm of these tracks remind me of Canned Heat.
The need to escape from a rural backwater is conjured up in Farmboy Blues and The Getaway. The first bemoans the drab existence of long days and lonely nights while the second contains the self explanatory line "I'm sick of writing songs about the weather - let's just go!"
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City Lights has more of a fiddle dee dee Celtic lilt in keeping with their real roots and there's a strong sense of a band trying out different styles to see which fits best. However, nothing is done with sufficient conviction; too often they fall back on tried and tested formulas with predictable lyrics such as in the old chestnut of "waiting, anticipating"(Let You Down). The songs are solidly played but there's nothing that makes the sound truly distinctive.
Three Minute Slow Down is, paradoxically, one of the most upbeat tunes with a driving drum-led stop-start hoedown - it breaks the somewhat dull mood and is the stand out track here. More in this vein is, I suspect, where their true strengths lie.
Brothers Reid Myspace
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