Dropkick “Turning Circles” (Taylored Records 2007)

Scottish popsters score with best album so far

It’s been obvious for some time that Dropkick produce some wonderful country power pop - they’ve refined this approach so much that I’m going to sidestep any comparisons and concentrate on what gives them their own identity. For the other songs, of the fourteen on offer, that aren’t described, take it as read that they are smart, assured, harmony and melody laden country pop songs of the highest quality.

‘Avenues’ mostly dispenses with the distilled sunshine and concentrates on the darker side of life. A solitary acoustic guitar and a solo voice opens this melancholic gem, a consoling electric guitar lending an arm and adding some dappled colour and eventually the whole band emerges; the chords are minor, the music reaches a subdued beauty. Also more downbeat is the No Depression style ‘To Get To You’ where the guitars stutter and falter, tugging at the bridle - they are used to having their head and galloping towards the melody but here they are held in check.

The empirical evidence to support a claim to be Scotland’s pre-eminent alt-country power pop band is becoming overwhelming: they have a sound that is honeyed but not overwhelming. Think of them not in the fierce full-on heat of a midday pop sun, more the joy of the breaking dawn or an evening sun kissing the warm sea. However I try to describe them, songs like ‘15th December’ deserve a wider audience. For sheer enjoyment Dropkick are pretty hard to beat right now.

Date review added:  Thursday, May 24, 2007
Reviewer:  David Cowling
Reviewers Rating:
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