by Matthew Coman
The population of Scotland is around 5.5 million people: about a tenth of England’s. But the people of the most northerly nation of the United Kingdom have always seemed to punch above their weight when it comes to alternative bands. The reason for this can be speculated upon, but that is probably for another day. So, for today, in no order, these are the albums that I consider to be the best by artists hailing from Caledonia.
Primal Scream ‘Sonic Flower Groove’ (1987) Elevation Records
This album was not revered at the time of release and to some extent it remains the case in retrospect. In addition, Primal Scream have arguably one of the best back catalogues of any band in the last 40 years. So why is ‘SFG’ on the list and not ‘Screamadelica’, ‘Vanishing Point’ etc? It is both of its time and not of it’s time at the same time, harking back to 1960s Byrds esque US rock with production values being somewhat contrary to other UK ‘jangle pop’ bands of the same era. Being part of, but slightly different to, the C86 movement gives the album a unique charm that puts it at the top of the Primals’ tree.
Camera Obscura ‘My Maudlin Career’ (2009) 4AD
The album starts with what I consider to be the best opening tree tracks on any album ever (yes really): “French Navy”, “The Sweetest Thing” and “You Told a Lie”. These songs in particular, epitomise Camera Obscura’s charm on the entire album of up-tempo, hazy, sometimes Country and Northern Soul inspired music. The lyrics on the album combine girl loves boy romanticism, with cynical witticism. On “French Navy” singer Tracyanne Campbell finds time to mention the sailor’s “dietary restrictions” when discussing her affections for him. For me ‘MMC’ sees Camera Obscura at the peak of the powers and remains a ‘go to’ album in my collection.
The Zephyrs – ‘When The Sky Comes Down It Comes Down On Your Head’ (2001) SouthPaw
For anyone that hasn’t heard The Zephyrs before you must. And start with this masterpiece of an album. I once heard The Zephyrs described as “the perfect band for four o clock at a festival, when you want to relax and are just starting to have a drink”. In parts it is reminiscent of early 1990s shoegaze, but is also at times much softer than that, containing lush string arrangements and beautiful brass elements (I’ve always been a fan of the flugelhorn). If there can be a stand out track on an album full of them, it’s is penultimate song: “Stargazer”. After a meandering intro, Stuart Nicol (whose vocal style is very similar to Dean Wareham, of legendary dream pop outfit Galaxie 500) sings “clear me a space, to gaze at the stars...” Perfection.
Mogwai – ‘Mogwai Young Team’ (1997) Chemikal Underground
The term/genre ‘Post Rock’ can be traced back as far as the late 1960s, while Talk Talk released perhaps the first modern post rock album (‘Spirit of Eden’) in 1987. However, ‘Mogwai Young Team’ was the first post rock album I heard in the year of its release. It was genuinely like nothing I had heard before. The album combines glockenspiel laden dreaminess on “Tracey” to tracks that go from quiet/loud/quite to really loud, such as 16 minute, 19 second album closer “Mogwai Fear Satan ‘MYT’ still stands up almost 25 later as beacon of experimentation that inspired many bands to follow.
The Jesus and Mary Chain – ‘Psychocandy’ (1985) Blanco y Negro
What can be said about this album, that hasn’t already been said by far finer commentators than me?! I came to Psychocandy relatively late, first becoming aware of its existence in the mid-90s when it and the JAMC generally were consistently mentioned in reviews of bands that I liked. However, it still took me a few years after that to hear it in full. What I heard were songs packed full of distortion, reverb and feedback, whilst retaining traditional structures and melody that instantly struck me. Psychocandy quickly found itself up there on my list as one the best debut albums by any band, ever. Listening to it for the first time in a while for these purposes, at risk of sounding cliché it remains timeless; Psychocandy could genuinely have been recorded and released today.
This was not an easy list to compile and I am still not sure I agree with myself. Therefore, I must give honourable mentions to bands whose albums could have featured including: Boards of Canada, Arab Strap, Cocteau Twins, The Delgados and Belle & Sebastian. The Beta Band missed out because ‘The Three EPs’ is not an album, it’s Three EPs……
Editor Marv: Great list Matthew, I love that Camera Obscura album, but no Raintown by Deacon Blue! My own favourite would have to be the self titled AWB by Scottish funk masters Average White Band, premium canny funk!