Glasvegas - 'Flowers And Football Tops'
Do you ever get the feeling life has passed you by? In a flash, it has just disappeared, without you even noticing. You wake up one damp, miserable morning realising there's so much you've missed, so much you wanted to experience. You haven't seen the Seven Wonders of the World, or gone hitchhiking round South America, or ridden an ostrich, or got drunk with an Eskimo, or stood at the peak of Mount Everest screaming: "I HAVE CONQUERED YOU, WORLD!!!!"
Ok, that's a bit deep for now, so let me rephrase my opening question: Do you ever get the feeling an awesome band has passed you by? Yes, much less dramatic. Well, that's the feeling I have with Glasvegas, especially after listening to Flowers and Football Tops.
Glasvegas are a band that have been constantly hyped, and whose name I have heard bandied around as the next big thing. But after hearing about so many bands tipped to be the next big thing, I dismissed this Glaswegian act foolishly. Luckily, Fraser decided to go on holiday and let me review it (thankyou Fraser, I hope that tan is coming along nicely).
(Watch the video )
Flowers and Football Tops is a stunning, heartfelt song, which as their fourth single release on their debut album, establishes them as a band to be reckoned with.*
Their 50's doo wop sound with an indie twist sounds more like a cocktail than the makings of a good song, but it makes a great noise. Glasvegas were nominated for the Sound of 2008, and never has an award title been more apt, as that's exactly what they produce; a fresh sound, that crosses genres to create something unique.
The song was written about the killing of the young Kriss Donald. It is subtle yet poignant and delivers its message powerfully. The ending of the song is mesmerising, and adds another layer I wasn't expecting. They take the lyrics and melody of 'You are my Sunshine' and transform it into a haunting piece of music. And this sudden change at the end doesn't feel dislocated to the rest of the song in anyway, instead sums up its desperation.
I am one of those fans who love hearing artists sing in their own accents (apart from Shaggy), it makes the substance feel more real because of it, and James Allan's vocals do exactly that on this track. Some haters may class their music as repetitive and simple, but that is exactly what makes it masterful. The simple ones are the hardest to write (or so I've been told).
So, even if you never ride an ostrich or get hammered with an Eskimo, don't get down about it like I did, just listen to a bit of Glasvegas.
Download: Out now
CD Released: February 23rd
(Grant Black)
* Okay, it's their first album, so they haven't exactly passed me by, but in this fast paced chart world we now live in, they almost did.
Comment number 1.
At 15th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:one of the greatest songs of the last few years !!!!
I heard this first when they were unsigned.......... i knew just by the weight of this song they would be huge !!!!!
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Comment number 2.
At 29th Dec 2009, spirit wrote:SEE !
Didn't I tell you Grant nailed this review with honours ?
Brilliant stuff !
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