Glasgow’s Teenage Fanclub is a songwriting democracy; each album contains an equal distribution of songs by Norman Blake, Raymond McGinley and Gerry Love. When all three are on song they create power pop to rival Big Star, harmonies to rival The Byrds and indie gems to rival anyone.
On Shadows, Norman Blake is on dazzling form. ‘Baby Lee’ combines sun-drenched harmonies with swooning strings and a cute xylophone line to produce a joyous love song. ‘When I Still Have Thee’ blends hammond organ and mandolin to reveal a golden pop nugget.
But the other writers are distinctly off colour. Gerry Love’s ‘Into The City’ is nondescript, passing by like a cloudy Scottish day; and his ‘Shock and Awe’ delivers the absolute opposite of what its title promises.
As for McGinley, his fragile voice is a double-edged sword. On 1995’s Grand Prix it perfectly articulated his vulnerability and self-doubt; on Shadows it just sounds strained and weak. His ability to conjure a compelling melody has deserted him, leaving the songs devoid of life or vitality.
It gives me absolutely no pleasure to report any of this. I interviewed these charming men in 1992 and have been a paid up member of the Fanclub fanclub ever since. But such is the life of a critic – we have to call it as it is – and it’s now been 10 years since the Glaswegians produced a consistently great album.
Norman Blake solo album anyone?
Article originally published in The Brag, Sydney. June 2010
Article written and copyright held by Andy McLean
Shadows is out now through Liberator Music
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