Sons And Daughters - Mirror, Mirror
by Sarah Maybank
published: 8 / 6 / 2011

Label:
Domino Records
Format: CD
intro
Bleak and introspective, yet rewarding latest album from Scottish band, Sons and Daughters
Back in 2008, Sons & Daughters strutted into the daylight. The all-engulfing darkness surrounding 2004's mini album 'Love The Cup' and 2006's 'The Repulsion Box' dissipated and their second full length- album, 'This Gift', a punk-pop-Motown tribute to swinging 60's cinema, fizzed with energy. Like a Hollywood A-lister who abruptly tires of the red carpet and paparazzi flashbulbs and retreats to an isolated mansion, 'Mirror Mirror', however, does an abrupt 180 degree turn and dives straight back into the shadows. This is no Miss Haversham-style retreat into the past though. Glowering and claustrophobic, the album takes as its inspiration fairytales, witchcraft, murdered Hollywood starlets and suicidal fashion models, but while the subject matter is typically bleak, Sons and Daughters have grown. Pulsing synths form the backbone of tracks like standout opener 'Silver Spell', and the introspective 'Bee Song'. Tracks like the meandering 'Ink Free' and the rocking 'Don't Look Now' are assured enough to take their time, without feeling for a moment like they're outstaying their welcome. While Sons and Daughters' earlier work enthralled with its Travis Bickle explosions of energy, 'Mirror Mirror' takes a more introspective route and quivers with artfully suppressed tension. In a world of throwaway pop and one track wonders, it demands your time and attention – but it'll more than reward you for your trouble.
Track Listing:-
1 Silver Spell2 The Model
3 Breaking Fun
4 Orion
5 Don't Look Now
6 Ink Free
7 Rose Red
8 Axed Actor
9 Bee Song
10 The Beach
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) |
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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 |
This Gift (2008) |
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Dark and surf-rockabilly influenced latest single from Sons and Daughters, taken from their bestselling album of the same name |
This Gift (2008) |
Gilt Complex (2007) |
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