VolumeCds.Com

Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - S/t (2007) Bloodshot Records

8 / 10

I got the promo for this cd about a month and a half ago but, like most bands I have never heard of, I put the cd to the side and looked down my nose upon it for a couple weeks. That was a mistake.

I hate long reviews that sit there and drone on and on about the members of this band being in this other band or how if these two bands made love while driving a '56 chevy that this would be the baby they aborted. Reviews in general are a bit monotonous these days.

According to the Bloodshot site this is their sophomore release, but since it is my first experience with them and it is a S/T record, I will pretend that they are a brand new band from Chicago that just made a great impression on me. If I was to make one of those rather lame stickers that end up on the front of every cd these days with a funny acronym, FFO (for fans of) or RIYL (recommended if you like), it would say the Jam , Belle and Sebastian , and the Thermals.

The first song 'Aspidistra' starts the album off like a mod'ish / punk song that is very reminiscent of the early Jam releases.

The fourth song 'In Hospital' is like a better version of anything Belle and Sebastian have ever done. Really mellow down tempo stuff with amazing female vocals. The track is sung by Ellen O’Hayer who also appears in Bright Eyes' touring band. (Yes I realize I just made a reference to someone being in another band... And a band I am not too fond of at that.)

The sixth song is 'I Never Thought I Could Feel This Way For A Boy' and tackles sexuality and complications that can arise.

Overall the album is very witty , dark , and just extremely well written.

-Adam