Sons And Daughters - This Gift
by Sarah Maybank
published: 28 / 1 / 2008
Label:
Domino Records
Format: CD
intro
Superb, reto-influenced third album from Glaswegian electronica quintet, Sons and Daughters, have toughened up their sound so that they now sound like a Gothic version of the Shangri-La's
Time to crack open the dressing up box again, people. Franz Ferdinand and Long Blondes might be too busy updating their wardrobes to wave a guitar at us but, like an indie/couture tag team, Sons and Daughters have jumped in to fill the void, stiletto heels first.New year, new album, new image. Out goes the "charity shop chic" look. In comes the goth Shangri-Las. Glammed up and hungry for your love, Sons Daughters version 2.0 are, in spirit at least, working a Grammy award red carpet, some time around 1966. At recent gigs Ailidh Lennon glistened in a spangled prom gown, while Adele Bethel rocked a sequin-encrusted, way-beyond-mini dress, teamed with Cleopatra eyes and a sleek, "Toni & Guy do emergency surgery on Amy Winehouse" bouffant. It’s not just the duds that are giving a nod to The Leader Of The Pack. During the two and a half years since 2005’s intense, angular The Repulsion Box, Sons and Dasughters have clearly been working themselves up into a retro frenzy in the lava-lamped environs of their communal Glasgow lair (you thought they all lived separately in chic, inner city apartments? Are you insane?). This album is all about showing their souls – literally.‘Chains’ is pure punk rock doo-wop, ‘Rebel With The Ghost’ nicks the na-na-nas from Shocking Blues cult 60s hit ‘Send Me A Postcard’ and ‘Darling’ works a soulful falsetto vocal that’d have a Jackie Wilson opening his arms in welcome, then toughs it up with chopping, fuzzed-up guitar. Sons and Daughters are canny enough to court the factions still hopelessly devoted to the Edgar Allan Poe darkness of their earlier days, though, and 'Gilt Complex' and 'Hole In My Head' jitter with that lovable pent-up rage of old.Live, the band have toughened up and have recently taken to mashing up a killer version of ‘Johnny Cash’ with The Stooges’ 'I Wanna Be Your Dog’. Which makes it patently clear Ferdinand Blondes have a smackdown on their hands when they return. We’ve already booked our seats and bought our popcorn. You?
Track Listing:-
1 Gilt Complex2 Split Lips
3 The Nest
4 Rebel With The Ghost
5 Chains
6 This Gift
7 Darling
8 Flags
9 Iodine
10 The Bell
11 House In My Head
12 Goodbye Service
Label Links:-
http://www.dominorecordco.com/https://www.facebook.com/DominoRecordCo
https://twitter.com/DominoRecordCo
https://www.youtube.com/user/DominoRecords
https://plus.google.com/+DominoRecords
interviews |
Interview (2008) |
Sons and Daughters have recently returned with their third album, 'The Gift'. Guitarist Scott Paterson speaks to Ben Howarth about it and why his group enjoys its heavy touring schedule |
live reviews |
Cockpit, Leeds, 8/2/2008 |
At the Leeds Cockpit, Russell Ferguson sees Sons and Daughters on tour to promote their latest album, 'The Gift', live up to all expectations and after years of waiting in the wings move to centre stage |
Cockpit, Leeds, 19/11/2007 |
reviews |
Mirror, Mirror (2011) |
Bleak and introspective, yet rewarding latest album from Scottish band, Sons and Daughters |
This Gift (2008) |
Gilt Complex (2007) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesPhilip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Deep Purple - =1
Bill Wyman - Drive My Car
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart