The National show at Bimbo’s is very sold out (as in there was a gauntlet of 15 people that was asking each person walking to the will call window if they had extra tickets), so I’m home instead.

I’ve been meaning to post about Scotland’s My Latest Novel (myspace) for a few days now.

Their press stuff makes it seem like they’re impossible to pin down. They’ve also been called the “Scottish Arcade Fire.” I’m not quite sure that’s applicable (the Arcade Fire at least attempts to be a lot more epic). I hear some Belle and Sebastian Scottish tweeness, some Reindeer Section Scottish pretty-but-well-orchestrated ballads.

“The Reputation of Ross Francis” is a light upbeat acoustic number with great harmonies and a dark overtone. I really like the chorus, with a nice build to it, chorussed vocals and a neat rhythm to it (downbeat, upbeat, downbeat, upbeat, downbeat downbeat). I also thing “Please, sir”, at least in this case, is a great first line of a chorus.

My Latest Novel - the Reputation of Ross Francis (mp3)

“Sister Sneaker Sister Soul” has a more epic feel to it overall, but it starts out sounding like many Reindeer Section songs (or maybe it’s just the clean recording and accents). It builds up quiet a bit with an instrumental middle section before coming back around. The epic + light song thing reminds me a bit of the Stars’ last album.

My Latest Novel - Sister Sneaker Sister Soul (mp3)

You can buy Wolves from Bella Union. I’m not sure if there’s a way to get it non-import.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 28th, 2007 at 12:24 am Posted by adrian in SF bay area, mp3s. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.