Scottish pop in the early 1990s was known for vocal harmony,
Big Star chord changes, and rocked-out guitars. Think
Teenage Fanclub or
Eugenius, and please don't forget
Superstar. They were largely ignored at the time, but looking back, the band stacks up rather well against the top power pop groups. Their harmonies are like great, big cushions filled with springtime air. The songs are filled with more hooks than Kareem Abdul Jabbar's highlight reel. They have also written songs that would be smash hits in a world where perfect pop was king. Songs like "Will I Ever See You" and "Don't Wanna Die are beautiful, string-coated heart-tuggers that display
Joe McAlinden's sappy sentimentality like a badge of honor. Yet the band is not afraid to rock as the coda of "Could It Be You" sails along on a stream of arena rock guitars and madly sawing strings. You hate to get so starry-eyed about such an obscure record because it makes you seem elitist, but this is truly one of the lost classics of the '90s. Seek it out in a cut-out bin near you.