Record Label: Fat Cat Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

Given their band name and album title, you’d almost expect some whiny emotional music that appeals only to the under 15 crowd. The Twilight Sad are emotional, but they take it to a new level on their beautiful, near-perfect debut album. Amidst powerful guitars, clanking pianos, harmoniums, and chugging drums emerges a strong vocal with a very thick Scottish accent. After the novelty of singer James Graham’s voice wears off, what’s left is lush, intense indie rock music that starts from somewhere Coldplay and U2 began and adds some melancholy, grandeur, and emotional gravitas.

What I really love about this album is that it has a strong sense of flow; part of that is in my opinion due to stellar production by classic-tronica artist Max Richter, who adds within the layering of guitar noise and instrumentation a sense of cacaphony that is wonderfully fitting to Graham’s lyrics and the music as a whole.

Wow, I just read what I’ve written so far and realize that I probably sound like the most pretentious music snob ever. And even though I am, I’ll put this in lamen’s terms. If you like rock music with a bit of emotional depth and want something that is heavy without being too loud, that is melodic and original without reinventing the wheel, then get this album. Go. Right now. Do it.

Bottom Line: Wonderful debut from the Scottish group – complex, emotional and exciting rock music.
Notable Tracks: Cold Days From The Birdhouse, Walking For Two Hours, Last Year’s Rain Didn’t Fall Quite So Hard
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