It's been a hectic time in the kennel for new tunes and it was with great interest that news of the new EP by Book Group (due for release may 17th) appeared in the inbox. Ralph took a look last year when they released the excellent debut EP Homeward Sound and a review of the EP's launch party was forthcoming. Book Group are Graeme Anderson (vocal, guitar & synth), Andrew Brodie (drums), Scott Finnigan (backing vocal and bass) and Michael Morrison (guitars).
Formed in 2012, Book Group came together from the ashes of several Edinburgh bands. They inject thundering drums and feed-backing guitars into pop sensibilities, carried by frontman Graeme Anderson’s quirky, story-driven lyrics; with harmonies and humming synths underlying it all. Live, they opened Fence's inaugural (and final) Gnomegame and Aberfeldy Festival in 2013 (and received glowing reviews for their sweat-soaked appearance at Wickerman), and hosted the aforementioned and sold out release party in Pilrig St Paul's Church hall for the début EP, Homeward Sound in May of last year.
They followed that with a limited edition (blue vinyl) double A-side single on Gerry Loves Records which saw both tracks - Victory Lap/The Lowdown of a LOUD Sound - receive national radio play. Both Homeward Sound and the single ended up top in several end of year polls.
Tantrums is the second EP and it marks a step up in the band's confidence as songwriters. Produced by Bruce Rintoul, the 4-song EP flows from fuzz-pop to howling feedback, vocoders and pounding rhythms and electronics.
Here Is Too Near by Book Group
Lead track on Tantrums - 'Hear Is Too Near' - is reminiscent of early Deacon Blue with shades of Prefab Sprout injected through it so I'm happy and it'll be getting a spin on Ralph's Indie Show this Sunday (27th May) on Radio KC. It's single material and demands a video to accompany it. The EP on the whole is Alt Poppier than Admiral Fallow and not as Alt Rocky as Biffy Clyro but that's no bad thing. Lyrically well crafted ('I was in the Boy's Brigade - Never ever got me laid') melodic songs that stick in your head are the order of the day. That plus their solid musicality should see them getting regular airplay by the likes of Jim Gellatly on his new XFM Scotland show.
2 MAY - POOR THINGS ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY - STEREO, GLASGOW.
17 MAY - ‘TANTRUMS’ EP LAUNCH PARTY, THE HALLS (EDINBURGH),
With: FRIENDS IN AMERICA, PRONTO MAMA, LIVE FROM THE LATIN QUARTER DJS + MORE.
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