Glasvegas Issue #38

Glasvegas (Columbia)

By Christine Werthman
Published: December 1st, 2008 | 12:00am

Rock music can make you do some stupid-looking things: There’s the head-bang; there’s moshing; and then there’s the simplest, but perhaps most satisfying of gestures — the fist-pump. It’s basic and understated, but if a song can bring it out of you, the music must be tapping the right nerve. Such is the case with the self-titled debut album from Scotland’s Glasvegas — this album will move you to fist-pump.

The Glasgow quartet plays big, stadium-style rock music with lofty guitars and sing-along choruses — all the while presenting a distinct hat-tip to producer Phil Spector and his “Wall Of Sound.” Through heavy instrumental layers comes the emotive belt of James Allan — whose Scottish brogue is so passionate that he gets away with cheesy moves, like singing the word “baby” over and over again or quoting the lyrics of “You Are My Sunshine.”

The album takes some weird turns, like the track “Stabbed,” which has Allan talking about being on the lam, all the while Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” plays in the background. But despite its imperfections and cheese-ball moments, the marriage of styles on this album makes the music not only an enjoyable listen, but an interesting one. And interesting music most certainly deserves a fist-pump.

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