Release Date: 07 June, 2005
Audio CD
Tracks
- It's All in My Mind
- Time Stops
- Nowhere
- Save
- Slow Fade
- Only With You
- Cells
- Feel
- Fallen Leaves
- Flowing
- Born Under a Good Sign
- Don't Hide
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Rating 3.5
Cool doesn't necessarily mean tepidFor those of you who (unfairly) criticize this latest effort by the vastly underappreciated Teenage Fanclub as being lackluster, I wish to offer a different interpretation. Yes it is a subdued and carefully-produced effort, in keeping with their later work rather than the Bandwagonesque-era looseness and feedback-drenched Big Star rock. But it is not without soul or passion. It is simply a more relaxed record, more sculpted, more careful. The music still flows nicely, the lyrics are stronger than usual, and hooks abound. Just about every song has worthwhile aspects anda high level of attention to detail. It is obvious to me that the band put a lot into this one, from picking a new producer to writing a collection of grade-A material. Why only 4 stars then? Well, Bandwagonesque is classic, and a high, high bar was set way back when. If this came from anyone else, maybe 5 stars would be more in line.
For those of you who are new to Fanclub and have stumbled onto this page by accident, let me tell you, you have to buy either the best-of collection or Bandwagonesque, or both. Really. Then you will want all the rest. I cheered when Nirvana kicked Michael Jackson off the charts in 1991 or whenever that was, but I would have cheered far more if Fanclub had subsequently booted Nirvana from those charts. It could have happened- for all the Cobain-tragedy publicity, Fanclub writes better songs. This band has been quietly and unpretetiously chugging along since 1990 at least, while nobody seems to really notice. Give them your support, they are a treasure.Laking EnergyAfter the lackluster "Howdy!" and the terrible collaboration with Jed Fair, I was hoping for a return to the energetic sound that has made TFC one of my favorite bands. "Man-Made" was quite a disappointment.
While the vocal harmonies and musical arrangements are beautiful, there is just no passion here, it's like the band is totally bored with the material. When "Songs from Northern Britian" was released, I was surprised by how the band had matured and became less hyper-frenetic, but at least that album had some soul behind the performance. If you're new to TFC, I'd suggest "Northern Britian" or any of their Geffen albums over this.Teenage Fanclub are the real deal.I've been a fan of this band for almost 14 years. From the time I first heard "Star Sign" and "What You Do To Me" back in late 1991, I was hooked for life. Sure, there will probably be not another "Bandwagonesque" album in their future, but with songs like "It's All In My Mind"- it doesn't matter.
And that opening cut, "It's All In My Mind" is worth the price of the album alone. It has such a heart-rendering melody it ranks up their with the band's best songs. In fact, this song is one of the best of 2005.
The Fannies have caught some flak for "going through the motions" with this album. But it is far form their worst ("Songs From Northern Britain" has that honor, only because it has only two GOOD songs on it).
Nonetheless, long live Teenage Fanclub. I wish them the best of luck. May they bless us with many more terrific albums.
And when this band ceases to exsist, a light will go out in the world.
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