The Scottish
  Invasion 2007

From time to time in the history of music you see a band or two come out of Scotland that make the music industry and the public sit up and take notice like the band Simple Minds, Rod Stewart or Annie Lennox. Lately it seems like there is a blitz of great music

coming from Scotland and it’s doing more than just getting noticed. It’s music that is taking the airwaves and mp3 players by storm. For instance, Snow Patrol put out an album in 2004 (Final Straw). The band was together for a long time and vowed this album was the final straw, either make it or hang it up. Well. What an album it would be. Probably one of the finest alternative albums I’ve heard in a while. The album got a lot of notoriety and helped them produce their recent release (2006) Eyes Open. I fully expected it to be a great album and I wasn’t let down. They went a bit more mainstream (slightly poppy) but this is just them capitalizing on their strengths of power ballads they seem to have a knack for. This is just one great example of the power that’s coming out of Scottland today.
I wrote about the band De Rosa in the last issue in Spring. This band is absolutly brilliant and breakthrough. The band was formed by main songwriter Martin John Henry in the early 2000’s. They are a four piece (brothers James and Neil Woodside on bass and drums respectively, with Chris Connick on keys/guitar). They are noted for their use of Americanised indie rock/folk rock compositions. They are probably one of my favorite bands to date.

The View rescently released the album "Hats off to the Buskers" earlier this year and it truly is a great album. They are a four piece indie rock band from Dryburgh, a district in Dundee, Scotland. If I could place their music style it would be cross of Squeeze, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes and The Libertines with a bit of folk mixed in. Stylisticly they are not breaking any new ground but they have plenty of energy and lyrics that you’ll sing along to. They are bunch endearing Scottish kids with some great Scottish tales to weave. Check them out.

Camera Obscura hit the music scene many years ago but their newest release “Let’s get out of this country" is probably one of the most beautiful albums to come out of Scottland since the Cocteau Twins “Heaven in Las Vegas”. Singer Tracyanne Campbell writes and delivers some of the most heart felt songs that have hit the Indie rock scene. They have been compared to Belle & Sebastian but I think they are haed and shoulders above them. The funny thing about this album is it has a kind of Patsy Cline feel to it. I don’t know if they were aiming for that or if it’s just coincidence. Many of the songs have an aged charm to them while still feeling fresh. Overall this is an album that sensative music lovers will be enchanted by.

Shitdisco will hit you upside the head with their new release “Kingdom of fear”. If there is such a category as Post-punk-disco this is it. They kind of have elements of Scotlands Franz Ferdinand and many of the UK style music from the Gang of Four to newer acts like The Klaxsons. That said I don’t think any stereotype really fits them. They are trying something pretty different. I only started listening to this album but I do like them quite a bit. They are one of the more unique invaders in music from the Scottish scene.

KT Tunstall is someone that has a great folky/blues style while delivering some pretty powerful dynamic melodies like “Other side of the world” on her new album “Eye to the telescope”. She is poised to sweep America with this new pop sound. Watch for her and take a listen when you get the chance.

For a list of all the great new bands coming from Scotland, refer to the list on the top left.