What does it sound like?:
Teenage Fanclub! The signs weren’t brilliant. Obviously the great Gerry Love (author of too many of their great songs to count) left the band in 2018. And then none of the singles were particularly spectacular as singles. There was also a lot of chatter on the ****book fan page about how it was all a bit meh and not Bandwagonesque etc. So for the first time I didn’t listen to a Fannies album on the first day of release (also physical copies were held up in customs so I couldn’t get the vinly initially, but let’s not get into Brexit issues here…)
BUT. I’ve now done a good deal more than 6 listens, and well, it’s a good ‘un, definitely a grower, and possibly my favourite of theirs this century. Will it change the world? No, it’s a Teenage Fanclub album. Will it convert anyone? Also probably nope. But anyone already signed up to the Fanclub must surely find something to love here.
It’s the sound of a bunch of middle aged blokes ageing gracefully, if not always happily, and continuing to plough their own furrow and evolve.
Norman Blake has clearly had a tough time, one which I can relate to, and his songs lyrically are at times painfully, almost embarrassingly honest. But combine them with the timeless tunes and it’s one of his best ever collections. The guitar noodling at the end of Home is just wonderful and takes it way beyond the single version. I’m More Inclined and Back in the Day (their best ever fade out?) are instant Fannies classics and I’m doing my best to get them up the Spotify charts on my own. The Sun Won’t Shine On Me is gorgeous but feels like it could have gone all out epic. Warm Embrace I still can’t decide if it’s brilliant or just weird.
And Raymond McGinley? A veryfine showing. Endless Arcade itself is brilliant and Euros Child’s keyboard solo is bonkers but great. Everything is Falling Apart wasn’t an obvious choice for first single, but it’s a great album track with a proper Krautrock feel to it towards the end. In Our Dreams was another odd choice for a single, but it works wonderfully here. And Come With Me might be his best ever song.
There’s a bit of a lull at the end I think (certainly in tempo), but we’ll see how that goes with a few more listens.
So is Gerry missed? Actually not really. But a new Lightships album sometime soon would be a very welcome companion piece.
What does it all *mean*?
I suspect Teenage Fanclub will be my favourite band til the day I die.
Goes well with…
Their back catalogue.
Release Date:
Couple of weeks back.
Might suit people who like…
Unassuming middle-aged blokes who looks like the rest of us, but who, unlike the rest of us, thirty years into their career still have a way with a life-affirming tune.
fitterstoke says
I’ve been listening to this since it was released and it just gets better and better…posted the YouTube clip of Home a couple of times here (in KFD’s threads) but you’re right – the extended album version knocks the single out of the park…
Jaygee says
Not got this yet, but have got tickets to see them when (if!) this COVID madness subsides to the point where we can all go to gigs again so will definitely be buying it
Nick L says
I have loved Teenage Fanclub right from the outset but this one is really taking its time to grow. I’ve never been that keen on the Krautrock influence they sometimes seem keen to persist with…my TFC is more the one of Big Star and The Raspberries etc, but it isn’t just that. I think it’s partly that the production just sounds a bit, well, flat and uninspiring. Jangly guitars should sound bright and clear not slightly muddy and subdued. There’s nothing anywhere near as tuneful and satisfying as say Baby Lee here for starters. And I know it doesn’t make a huge difference to the music, but the stuff about Gerry ending up out of the band has just given me a slightly bad taste I guess. I’ll get over it I’m sure, but Norman, Gerry and Raymond were the core for years and it just feels a bit different now.
fitterstoke says
H’mm…maybe my love of motorik “Krautrock” is colouring my view of this one – I think it’s great…
Guiri says
Raymond has always been a bit motorik though hasn’t he. So having six of his songs here, rather than four, is perhaps overkill if that’s not you’re thing. Also there are a couple of his towards the end which despite being fine songs seem to plod a bit. But at least 4 of his are up with his best I feel.
And Back in the Day and I’m More Inclined have been genuine Baby Lee-style instant classics for me. They’re on endless repeat.
But you’re right that maybe an outside producer next time might help give the the oomph of a Grand Prix or SFNB. It’s not a perfect album I agree, but the songs are great, and has given me a much needed lift.
dai says
Thanks for review, will probably try on Spotify. Awful cover!
Guiri says
Love the coner!
dai says
Doubt I’ll get a coner listening to it 😉
Guiri says
The bloody hassle of remembering to switch between English and Spanish autocorrect! But I hope you get my drift. 🙂
Sewer Robot says
I’ve always assumed their less-than-great record covers were meant to be emblematic of their “not exactly Roxy Music” shambolic, down to Earth charm. Unfortunately, the persistence with self-production may also be part of this. Fans will chuckle at a naff cover but will be bothered by a flattening of jangle..
Kaisfatdad says
Thanks for the review. Guiri.
You’ve all got me keen to listen now.
I really must take the plunge an give the album a listen,
Guiri says
That’s the spirit!
man.of.soup says
My favourite band as well right now – more and more, as I age (gracelessly), I’m more inclined (see what I did etc?) towards their gloriously tuneful, unassuming nice-guy thing than I am towards anything that smacks of, well, rock’n’roll.
This one was a grower for me too – nothing hit me instantly but I’m warming to it as I repeat it. Back In The Day is the standout so far for me.
Can I also add to something others have said above – Baby Lee is one of those rare songs that lifts my mood sky-high every time I hear it. I honestly doubted pop music could do that to me anymore. It’s a classic as far as I’m concerned. Norman Blake’s amazingly underrated as both singer and songwriter.
Guiri says
Baby Lee was the first ‘grown up’ song my kids fell for as 6 and 4 year olds and broke the spell of children’s music on the school run. It was on every day! The eldest, now 17, recently did a questionnaire thing on Instagram about 30 songs that do something or other for you. For the day when the question ‘What’s the song that reminds you of childhood’, the answer was Baby Lee. I could have blubbed, and possibly did.
Also agree with your first paragraph. Love how they’re ageing. Doing my best to follow the model (just wish I could write a tune like them).
And yes, Norman Blake is a genius. His songs across their career are the ones which work for me more and more even though I’m a decade younger. He’s also the only member I’ve been mistaken for on more than one occasion. I’m also a ginger (once long, now short) with specs. So clearly a dead-ringer.
man.of.soup says
That’s nice that your kids like it. No finer praise for a pop sing.
Dave Ross says
Ok, when i can drag myself away from “Fat Pop” and “Coral Island” I’ll give this a listen. I know Justin Currie is a fan so I really should.
kidpresentable says
I need a bit longer with this one to make a ranking, but they’re also my favourite band. I was 12 when Grand Prix came out, just started buying the music press, and heard Mellow Doubt (mis-titled) on a Melody Maker cassette. Within a few years I had pretty much everything, singles included.
Man Made is the last absolute classic for me, though there is much to like on what’s come since. They’re still brilliant live, I last saw them on the Manchester Howdy/B-Sides night.
I’m enjoying the subtle twist to their sound that Euros brings to this one.
Guiri says
Funnily enough Mellow Doubt was also my first Fanclub song (though at twice your age) heard on the radio one day. Thought it was dreadful and ignored them despite the praise in the music press (still one of the few of their songs I don’t get). Then at some point between Grand Prix and SFNB the light went on (think I borrowed GP from the library), bought SFNB on the day of its release at the perfect time in my life and it’s still my favourite album and my enthusiasm for them has never diminished, unlike pretty much everyone else I was listening to at the time.
I do think it’s because they just continue to be uncomplicatedly themselves. No trends followed. No attempts at hipness. Each increasingly rare album just shows where they are at that particular moment and for some reason their albums have seemed to reflect my life.
SFNB and Howdy, joyful albums that chimed perfectly with good times. Man-Made, more downbeat and coincided with lots of change and stress. Shadows, thoughtful, reflective but ultimately positive, which was perfect for the time. Here was sadder and coincided with the breakdown of pretty much everything I knew. While Endless Arcade feels sad, but with chinks of light and a new sense positivity coming through, particularly in the tunes. So, again, perfect.
I’m probably oversharing (at least anonymously!) But there’s nothing better than a favourite band, whoever they may be, who keep on going and help get you through the ups and downs.