Glasvegas

Nothing's exaggerated in the hype around Glasvegas

A young Scottish collective Glasvegas has proved to be one of those around which there is made much hype in advance. Although it often happens that it turns out to be just a lure that does not fully correspond the real state of things it seems like this time around there is nothing exaggerated in the promises. After the release of its two singles Go Square Go! and Daddy's Gone everyone in Glasgow and outside of it started talking about the band for its sounding was that new and impressive. Vocalist and rhythm-guitarist James Allan, lead guitarist Rab Allan, bassist Paul Donoghue and Caroline McKay playing drums play their music in such a matched and self-forgetful manner that the audience has nothing to do but admire it remaining utterly mesmerized. Add to this some topical lyrics telling of life in the sullen blocks of Glasgow and you get a hitting debut Glasvegas, released at the beginning of autumn and finding itself at once among the leaders probably even those of the decade.

More radio friendly variants on Glasvegas

Glasvegas is ten great compositions placed in a determinate sequence so that the most powerful tracks comprising the climax are in the middle of it, and the calmer numbers are at the beginning and at end. All the previously released singles are on the record in some softer variants which makes them more radio friendly. The album opens with a mid-tempo track Flowers & Football Tops, the longest one reaching almost seven minutes but never sounding boring. Lead single Geraldine pleases with a successful tune and splendid vocals but this is far from the best song on the album. It is probably the wonderful anthem of all human complexes It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry with an absolutely unimaginable guitar solo at the end that has got the most chances to play the leading part. Naturally single Go Square Go is not weaker being still rather heavy and not at all a kind track well supplied with unprintable language whereas a desperate composition Polmont On My Mind pleases with a contagious rhythm and again amazing guitar hooks. Yet the album reaches its highest temperature on Daddy's Gone, a little boy's story of his parents' divorce he suffers from a lot on which the most emotional part is the repeating of phrase "he's gone". On the contrary the quietest and almost lulling is the final track Ice Cream Van, refined with some unearthly audio effects.

A really good quality music

If the Scottish four-some Glasvegas does not become the world's best indie group of the year it will surely occupy only the leading positions in its native Scotland and even in Great Britain. Calling Glasvegas the best band since the times of the Jesus and Mary Chain the band's friend and producer Alan McGee has hit the target but this is not at all the only comparison one can make in the respect of this collective. Thus the stadium oriented sounding of many compositions reminds of U2's best works and the vocal parties sometimes are close to the songs of The Cure. The guys have taken ideas for the lyrics from the events that have astonished the society and got to the news or from their own childhood reminiscences or from the stories their friends told them. It goes without saying that none of them has proved to be a happy one therefore the album's general atmosphere is far from being joyful. Glasvegas' great dark music will be a success among all who have lost faith in happiness, love and believes there is and cannot be anything good in life and also will be a perfect collection if you are just upset about something. In general this really is a good quality music and a much promising debut.