Album Review - Randolph's Leap - Real Anymore

Easily one of Glasgow’s most prolific bands, Randolph’s Leap return with the fantastic Real Anymore mini-album which really is something everyone should hear.  From technology to nature to a career as a telephone psychic to a terrifying trip to the home on the Indie King, Real Anymore takes you on a fantastically upbeat journey.  As ever the music and lyrics are spot on with bonus points being awarded for the line, “it’s not an exact séance” in the track Psychic.  Picking a stand-out track or two is genuinely hard here as the quality of the songs is maintained throughout but if you were to force me I’d say it's between two.  Psychic and it's tale of a man down on his luck who changes career and even meets up with Derek Acora or title track Real Anymore with a stadium sized chorus are the ones to listen out for. 

An easy comparison to draw is with Belle & Sebastian but for me Randolph's Leap offer more much more than that.  From the acoustic loveliness of Conversation to the near of free form jazz ending of Technology there’s something for everyone and not just jumper and scarf wearing indie fans as the band would put it.  Highly recommended all round.

- David McElroy

Randolph's Leap - Real Anymore is available now via Olive Grove Records on limited cassette, CD (either in independent record stores or direct from the band) or download via iTunes, Amazon and Bandcamp.

EP Review - Emma's Imagination - Underway

Emma’s Imagination have always had that enviable knack of being able to produce music that appeals to both the staunchest hipsters and to the listeners of mainstream chart music and her new EP Underway proves this yet again.  This is her follow up collection to debut album Stand Still and while not quite reaching the high standards she set herself; this EP is a pleasant glance into where she is heading musically.

Where Stand Still was the perfect summer soundtrack, Underway could prove to be a perfect accompaniment to the dreary winters us Scots have to endure.  Opening track Let You Go quickly sets the tone of the EP with the stripped back, atmospheric lone guitar that allows Emma’s voice take centre stage, and it doesn’t disappoint. The haunting tones from Gillespie coupled with the beautiful classic guitar provide an excellent introduction to the EP.

Next track Pour It Out begins with a guitar riff that would not be out of place in a classic spaghetti western and that theme continues throughout the song.  Almost channelling American folk duo The Civil Wars, her wonderfully crisp vocals complement the guitar work perfectly.

The biggest surprise on the EP comes from the cover of Deftones track Change.  Emma achieves something rarely achieved in covers; she makes the track her own but still manages to keep the qualities that make this song so special.  Her sombre vocals over the elegant, distinctive guitar make this the most impressive cover I have heard since Johnny Cash’s Hurt.

Unfortunately, it is in the second half of the EP which loses way as Bells and All About You are just far too similar to opener Let You Go to excite the listener.  Alone, both of these songs are superb, however I am not convinced they belong on this particular EP.

Finally, we are treated to an upbeat track you expect from Emma’s Imagination in closing song Arms of Gold.  A buoyant melody along with some calming vocals provide a cheery end to what is a dark EP.  

Underway is enough for us to see that Emma’s Imagination is still making excellent music, however I feel it is probably two songs too long.  Still, it is a terrific insight into what we can expect from Emma’s Imagination in the future and is an excellent stopgap between Stand Still and her next full-length release.

- Stuart Thompson

Emma's Imagination - Underway is out now via Pebble Island Records.  You can download the EP via iTunes here.

Scottish Fiction Podcast - 11th September 2013

In a show that contained brand new tracks from The Spook School, Franz Ferdinand, and Campfires In Winter, I also hosted the wonderful esperi as my live guest.  As usual with our live sessions, we asked esperi to soundtrack the first part of the show, chatted about his music, inspirations, and forthcoming plans, and had the delight of sharing with you three live tracks. 

Mast. - Romance

American Football - Never Meant - As chosen by esperi

esperi - Sonshine - Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio

Sufjan Stevens - Pittsfield - As chosen by esperi

esperi - Little Shirts - Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio
esperi - Storks - Live in Pulse 98.4 Studio

Wheat - Don't I Hold You - As chosen by esperi

Kid Canaveral - A Compromise
Franz Ferdinand - Evil Eye
Young Fathers - Effigy
Baby Strange - Friend

Re-Mixing It Up - Belle & Sebastian - Your Cover's Blown (Miaoux Miaoux Remix)

Angler Ape - When He Starts
Future Glue - Crooked
The Spook School - I'll Be Honest
Campfires In Winter - Stories
Blue Rose Code - Skin & Bones
The Duke, Detroit - Saturday
This Silent Forest - Drowning Man


Subscribe/listen to the podcast via iTunes.

Scottish Fiction - 11th September 2013 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Kevin Harper - Scottish Fiction Sessions - Videos

After my break during August it's fantastic to be able to get back to sharing these videos from our live radio sessions.  The first guest in what will prove to be a fantastic run of sessions, was former Little Eskimo's front-man Kevin Harper.  Crafter of the vastly underrated Kingdom of Wires  album released earlier this year, Kevin brought his '90's alt rock infused vibe into the studio and played three tracks from said album.  Check out the videos below and you can hear the full session and interview here should you wish.

Scottish Fiction - 4th September 2013 by Scottish Fiction on Mixcloud

Below are the videos for session tracks Couch, Gibraltar and Kingdom of Wires.  Enjoy, and check out YouTube page for all session videos.

EP Review - Campfires In Winter - Picture Of Health EP

If beautifully intricate vocal harmonies complimenting remarkable musicianship sounds like something you would like, then look no further than Campfires In Winter and their latest EP Picture of Health.  Their first EP since 2010’s Cardboard Ships, it's been a long wait but it has been certainly worth it.

Picture of Health was recorded in the Scottish highlands, and it definitely mirrors the bands stunning surroundings.  Opening track With A Ragged Diamond sets high standards for the rest of the EP.  Lyrically, it is tremendous, however it is the music that has the biggest impact as you listen.  A haunting intro and outro sandwiches an epic filling that forces you tap along during the first listen.  The track conjures up memories of early Twilight Sad, and is just as good as their Scottish counterparts, even challenging them in terms of song length, clocking in at over six minutes long.

Also on the EP are tracks See Us There, Both and Stories, the former being the first real opportunity for us to hear the trademark vocal harmonies that make Campfires In Winter so instantly recognizable.  They do not disappoint as the song crescendos into another solid track for the ever-improving band.  Stories is the closest thing to a pop song you will find from these lads, with a catchy chorus providing a cheery end to the EP.

However, it is title track that is the real stand-out.  With a catchy bass hook underneath atmospheric keyboard, the song demonstrates the musical ability that is rife in this band.  A wonderful vocal performance from singer Robert Canavan could cement him one of the best front men in Scottish music, a battle where he faces some fierce competition.   The contradiction between the outstanding vocal work and unforgiving lyrics such as "I didn’t ask to be born" give the listener a lingering uneasy sensation that lasts well after the song is over.

All in all another wonderful piece of work from Campfires In Winter reminds us why they are so highly regarded in the Scottish music scene.  With harmonies that would have Fleet Foxes phoning to ask for tips and lyrics that hit you in your very core, it wont be long till we see them headlining some big stages across Scotland.  At over 22 minutes long and only four songs, you may find yourselves worrying that the band have over indulged, however after your first listen you will be thinking two things: 'Couldn’t they have made that longer’ and ‘thank god for the repeat button!’

- Stuart Thompson

 Campfires In Winter - Picture of Health EP is released via Bloc+Music on  30th September.  You can download lead track Picture of Health for free right now from this link.

EP Review - Frightened Rabbit - The Woodpile EP

This year's epic Pedestrian Verse put Frightened Rabbit back on track to the highs of their seminal The Midnight Organ Fight album and saw the band release an outstanding set of songs which managed to both stay true to the Frightened Rabbit sound and get national airplay at the same time.  Lead track from this latest EP, The Woodpile, is the best example of this.

The song has an almost Neu! or Krautrock feel in it’s guitar and drums but builds to a huge and, I’m happy to say it, pop chorus which is just fantastic.  It’s a real highlight of the album for me and it’s great to see it get a stand alone release on this new EP.  As well as The Woodpile we also get three new tracks in Default Blues, Radio Silence and Candlelit all of which are well worth getting.  Even if you already own the album, it's worth grabbing this EP.

Default Blues brings to mind Setting Sun by The Chemical Brothers, albeit a slower version without the beats and crucially Noel Gallagher.  Radio Silence could easily be a lost REM track from the Fables of the Reconstruction era which is very much no bad thing and Candlelit is simply a lovely song.

- David McElroy

Frightened Rabbit - The Woodpile EP is now via Atlantic Records.  You can download the EP here.

Single/EP Review - Franz Ferdinand - Evil Eye

Franz Ferdinand are back and this latest offering proves they’re still ‘making music for girls to dance to’.  Latest single Evil Eye is nice jaunty track with a sing-a-long chorus and is a sure fine way to get the feet tapping, regardless of gender.

Taken from their recent album Right Words, Right Thoughts, Right Action, the single is accompanied by a rather bizarre video, directed by Diane Martel (who’s also responsible for the Blurred Lines video) where Alex Kapranos sporting an ominous moustache is the least of your worries.  Check it out below.

- Holly Callender
Franz Ferdinand - Evil Eye is released via Domino on 28th October 2013.  Their album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action is available now.