Trashcan Sinatras - In the Music

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 27 / 8 / 2009

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When the Trashcan Sinatras released their debut LP, 'Cake', back in 1990 it was usual for bands to put out a new long player every twelve to eighteen months. So based on that logic, their new album, 'In the Music', should be about their fourteenth. It is in fact only their fifth studio record and as a result the Trashcan Sinatras have never been able to gather the kind of recognition their output has really deserved. Nevertheless, they have been able to progress at their own pace and have consistently been responsible for some truly great pop moments ranging from the angst of debut single 'Obscurity Knocks', 'Hayfever', 'Twisted & Bent', a sublime cover 'To Sir, With Love' right up to 'Leave Me Alone' on their last LP - getting more mellow with each passing album. 'In the Music' continues this path, but is probably the least immediate of all their albums, though repeated listens will reward. Opening track, 'People', is fairly upbeat and shows love in a very positive light, as does the title track. While both are perfectly executed pieces of adult middle of the road fair, they are not the Trashcan Sinatras of old and lack some of the past magic found on tracks of less positive subject matter. Thankfully, there are plenty of other tracks that do connect. 'Easy on the Eye' seems to steal from 'Easy Read' on their classic 'I’ve Seen Everything' LP and is all the better for it, while 'Prisons' (which has been in their live set for years now) is also another fine moment. 'Morning Star' and previous single 'Oranges and Apples' are other songs that would fit easily anywhere in the band’s back catalogue and despite almost slipping into Bee Gees territory with it’s harmonies, closing number 'I Wish You’d Met Her' is further proof that while the band may have mellowed somewhat with age, they are still one of Scotland’s best kept musical secrets. The fact that they manage to enlist the vocal assistance of none other than the legendary Carly Simon (on 'Should I Pray'?) merely adds credence to the critical acclaim the band do enjoy with every release. This may only be their fifth studio album in twenty years, but like Scotch malt, good things take time - definitely more Sinatra than trash can.

Track Listing:-

1 People
2 Easy On The Eye
3 In The Music
4 I Hung My Harp Upon The Willows
5 Prisons
6 Should I Pray?
7 Morning Star
8 Oranges And Apples
9 The Engine
10 I Wish You’d Met Her
11 I Can’t Stand Tomorrow
12 I Just Don’t Know How

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