Review Summary: Astrid's debut album, Scottish indie guitar pop with heart.
Astrid were a Scottish indie pop group who achieved some cult success, mainly in the UK, around the turn of the century. Originally hailing from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, the core members Charlie Clark, Willie Campbell and Gareth Russell relocated to Glasgow in the late 90's and started working the pub and club circuit. Their brand of 60's influenced guitar pop soon garnered a following and the band toured incessantly up and down the UK. They even ventured stateside to be voted 'Best New Discovery' at the South By Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas. In 1999 they released their debut album 'Strange Weather Lately' to generally positive reviews.
I remember seeing Astrid at an indie pop concert in North London in the early 00's and they basically dominated the bill with their instantly memorable songs and boundless energy. Their music is a contemporary take on the melodic guitar pop epitomized by bands such as The Hollies and The Searchers in the 60's but with an efficacy not dissimilair to that of The La's or Teenage Fanclub. This debut release, produced by Edwyn Collins, captures the enthusiasm and disarming verisimilitude of the band's music perfectly. The infectious 'Kitchen TV' gets things underway with multi-tracked overdriven guitars, simple driving bass and spatters of synth. Even better is 'Plastic Skull' with it's instantly endearing Willie Campbell vocal, ringing guitars and catchy chorus. There is a disarming likeability to Campbell's voice which suits these simple mellifluous pop songs perfectly and this is exemplified on the single 'Redground' which is a captivating acoustic number with a wonderfully melodic chorus featuring some radiant harmony vocals. Standout track 'Stop' is beautiful in it's simplicity, a naive love song with jangly guitars, throwaway lyrics and a singalong chorus with Campbell's forcibly unrefined vocal performance matching the mood perfectly. This sort of music relies almost totally upon catchy hooks and melodies and although the album inevitably contains a few filler tracks the band sensibly keep things brief on most songs such that, with the possible exception of album closer W.O.P.R.M., nothing really outstays its welcome.
Astrid released three full albums in their relatively short career but none of their music really tops this debut which stands out both for it's songwriting and it's unsullied enthusiasm. Their subsequent album 'Play Dead' was released to rave reviews but sadly for Astrid they never really approached any sort of mainstream success and the band eventually broke apart in 2005.
'Strange Weather Lately' is uncomplicated catchy guitar pop for long summer days and driving down to the beach in your cheap 2nd hand open top convertible. Nothing more, nothing less.
