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Teenage Fanclub, "Howdy!"
Few bands have faced as tumultuous a career as Scotland's TeenageFanclub. Roster changes, label changes and arguments (Gerard Cosloy isstill peeved about the band's submission of the fully instrumental "TheKing" as their final effort for Matador), and sound changes make for avery rough career. Now on their fourth label in the US, Thirsty Ear,Teenage Fanclub return with the Byrds/Beatles/Big Star influenced soundthat has remained their staple for close to a decade, two years afterSony UK released the album across the pond.
And how is it? Very muchthe same, actually. Which is both a blessing and a curse. If you likethe Fanclub, you'll probably like this set as much as any recent one.However, if you miss "A Catholic Education," you'll still be missingit. These are straightforward, middled tempo, well-produced power popsongs dealing with relationships. There is no real "rocking out," andthe sonic palette is pretty much the same on every track. It's notamazing. It's not original. It's classic Teenage Fanclub, and it'spretty good. But that's about it. The album opens strong with "I NeedDirection" and "I Can't Find My Way Home," but then you realize it'sall going to be like this and it settles into mediocrity. The albumtitle doesn't help. Nor does a song title like "Dumb Dumb Dumb." Again,though, the writing talents of Norman Blake, Gerard Love, and RaymondMcGinley are in full display. It's to be expected. The song remains thesame, and the tradition remains, as member Paul Quinn reportedly leftin the midst of recording "Howdy!" They've had a long run, and they'renot ready to cash it in yet. But like Del Amitri, the glory fades andfades with each release.
And how is it? Very muchthe same, actually. Which is both a blessing and a curse. If you likethe Fanclub, you'll probably like this set as much as any recent one.However, if you miss "A Catholic Education," you'll still be missingit. These are straightforward, middled tempo, well-produced power popsongs dealing with relationships. There is no real "rocking out," andthe sonic palette is pretty much the same on every track. It's notamazing. It's not original. It's classic Teenage Fanclub, and it'spretty good. But that's about it. The album opens strong with "I NeedDirection" and "I Can't Find My Way Home," but then you realize it'sall going to be like this and it settles into mediocrity. The albumtitle doesn't help. Nor does a song title like "Dumb Dumb Dumb." Again,though, the writing talents of Norman Blake, Gerard Love, and RaymondMcGinley are in full display. It's to be expected. The song remains thesame, and the tradition remains, as member Paul Quinn reportedly leftin the midst of recording "Howdy!" They've had a long run, and they'renot ready to cash it in yet. But like Del Amitri, the glory fades andfades with each release.samples:
