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The Delgados:
Universal Audio
Generally, as a ridiculously twee American indie anti-hipster, I have to hand it to the Scots. I am guessing theres just something in the weather or the water (or even producer Tony Doogan) that informs the emotional disposition and sound of The Jesus and Mary Chain, Belle and Sebastian, Teenage Fanclub, and Camera Obscura. Out of the dreadful weather and somewhat incomprehensible accents come mysteriously lovely pop melodies and a brilliant mixture of heartfelt and cynical views on love. Without apology, thats precisely how I like my Scottish indie rock. That also explains why I believe that with Universal Audio, The Delgados have missed the mark. For the first half of the album, Universal Audio establishes itself as a highly diverse and listenable album. However, the second half of the 10-song release is spent destroying the myth created during the first half of the album. I Fought the Angels and Come Undone both commence the album setting the tone at a mid-tempo, Dressy Bessy-esque rock. Cute girl vocals, twinkly keyboards, and big poppy guitars are a recipe for absolute success in this case. A few more tracks in Get Action! is a dead knockoff of Teenage Fanclub with its gorgeously melodic chord changes, but it really seems to work. By track six, one starts to doubt The Delgados. The rest of Universal Audio just seems uninspired. One starts to notice that the male vocals are lacking in richness and tone, and the cute moments get a little too cutesy. The City Consumes Us proves that this band just wasnt cut out for folk influences. Basically, the title of the album becomes a fault and a farce. In attempting too many sounds, the albums cohesive feel is completely lost, and the listener is left with a choppy feeling rather than a smooth ride. Finally, the band seems to stretch itself so far that it looses its chance and inspiration as an album entier, thus universal appeal is null. This album is recommended listening in small bits for all and in entirety for fans only.
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