It's no secret that within Domino there is a lot of love for
Teenage Fanclub, and that some members of staff have a special fondness for the
songs of singer, songwriter and bassist, Gerard Love. In recent
times, Gerard has been very much part of The Pastels, who operate occasional
Domino imprint, Geographic. The idea of an album of Gerard Love
songs burned for a long time until eventually label enthusiasm prevailed, and
Gerard agreed that it was an idea that he too was excited about.
From the outset, Gerard was clear that he wanted to
establish a group name for the record, a name that was evocative and ambiguous,
that could somehow place the music within a slightly blurry and imagined
context. He didn't want to give the impression that the record was
just about him. Having settled on the name, Lightships,
he sought out a cast of Glasgow-based friends to play on the record that was
starting to take shape in his head; Dave McGowan (guitar, Teenage Fanclub),
Brendan O'Hare (drums, from the first incarnation of Teenage Fanclub), Tom
Crossley (flute, International Airport and The Pastels) and Bob Kildea (bass,
Belle & Sebastian).
Liberated by a feeling that he had complete carte blanche to
do whatever he wanted, Gerard came to a realisation that the key to the sound
of the record would be tremolo, delay and flute. At times the record
has the dynamics of a soundtrack, as one of Tom Crossleyís flute lines weaves
into the ether and Gerardís vocals bounce off each other. Or, as on
ìSweetness In Her Spark,î the group lock into a relaxed and breezy groove that
demands the windows be flung open.
Lightships is a name that perfectly captures the
atmosphere of the music - sparkling and radiant and illuminated throughout by
Loveís melodic gifts and taste for adventurous arrangements. The
overall sound, while as warm and immediate as the songs Gerard writes for
Teenage Fanclub, is more free flowing and loose. ìMuddy Riversî is carried
along on a wave of interlocked instrumentation while ìPhotosynthesisî is a hazy
wash of flutes and echo. On ìSilver And Gold,î Gerard sings with a
falsetto before a chorus of harmonies bursts into life. With this
music itís as if he was looking to express something more personal, eccentric
and introspective.
Electric Cables is an album of tender,
observational songs, played with an invigorating and easy sense of purpose: the
sound of friends enjoying one anotherís company and allowing ideas and
experiments to flourish. It's a complex and rewarding record that you'll
want to keep coming back to. Slow illumination.
The album will be available on CD, vinyl and digitally. All
songs were written by Gerard Love, produced by Gerard Love and Bal Cooke.
Enjoy the evocative video for album opener Two Lines HERE.
1. Two Lines
2. The Warmth Of The Sun
3. Muddy Rivers
4. Sweetness In Her Spark
5. Every Blossom
6. Silver & Gold
7. Girasol
8. Stretching Out
9. Photosynthesis
10.Sunlight To The Dawn
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