Album Review 1: "Young Forever" by Aberfeldy

If someone were to have a discussion about where the best bands in the world hail from, undoubtedly the mobius-strip of America vs. England would unfold.

However, if someone were to begin discussing where some of the most INTERESTING bands came from, and that is interesting without the artsy-pretention of Iceland, or the techno ramblings of France, I would say that Scotland would be a solid pick. Scotland has quietly developed the likes of 80's staple Simple Minds, indie heroes The Jesus and Mary Chain, Mogwai, Teenage Fanclub, and Britrock champions Travis and Primal Scream. Today, they boast the infectiously irreverant Fratellis, among others.

However, one band that quietly has made a name for itself among college radio stations, the bottom corner of rock magazines, and sell-out shows at off the beaten path venues, is the band Aberfeldy, masterminded by singer-songwriter Riley Briggs.

Their debut album, "Young Forever" (2004) is not simply a fun album. It is not simply an enjoyable album. It is an album gauranteed to make you so happy, after one listen you will run out into the streets yelling for your friends to buy a copy themselves. It is the type of album that if listened to in every inner-city, every back alley of Fallujah, and every Somali ghetto, would end violence and hatred as we know it. Well, okay, this may be a tad hyperbolic, but "Young Forever" does bubble with such a tangible sense of happiness and possibility, that you cannot help but smile as you listen to it.

Twee without being sickeningly adorable, Aberfeldy writes vignettes of modern fancy, crafting slices of life and vivid dreamworlds about everything from eccentric old men (Tom Weir) to the fantasy of traveling to an alien world (Heliopolis by Night). Briggs' voice bounces between lovelorn ache on the plaintive "Vegetarian Restaurant" to the aww-shucks twinkle-eyes croon of "Summer's Gone."

Are the songs light? Yes. However, behind that light bounce often lies some delightful wordplay and emotional depth. Recorded in a single room, Aberfeldy clearly operates as a cohesive unit, trotting out strings, accordion, and essentially every auxillery percussion instrument one could hope to find in their high school band room. However, what puts the band's sound over the top is the contribution of Vicky Gray, who provides spot-on harmonies on the album's strongest tracks (although it could be argued that this is WHY the tracks are so strong). The key is that each song has its own identity, yet the album has a sense of cohesion, feeling like a unified work rather than a jumble of recordings.

The bottom line is that "Young Forever" is an album that harkens back to an era when music was made to be simply enjoyable; art for the inclusive, when lyrics were both intelligent and tailor-made for sing alongs. Briggs and his bandmates are clearly having a good time on this album, and it shines through with each listen.


Top tracks:

"A Friend Like You"-- The album's opener, which begins with the lines "I love everyone/everybody underneath the sun/I think you're all the most amazing fun." This essentially sets the tone for the album. The song is catchy, but warrants further listenings before its full value is clear. Briggs offers an upbeat ditty underscored by bittersweet vocals, laying an emotional anchor that helps keep the light content from sailing away into the wind of a summer evening.

"Tom Weir"-- A dynamic portrait of a man known as the "king of the anoraks," who discusses history with the birds around his house. Briggs arrangement and vocal expression celebrate this man who is a heavy drinker, poor dresser, and gadabout. One cannot help but smile, or at the very least bob their head compulsively while listening to this song

"Helipolis by Night"-- Without a doubt the best song on the album, it tells the story of one man's journey to the mystical land of Heliopolis, only to return to the safety of his bed by the end of the song. This song is impossibly catchy, and it will manage to burrow into areas of your memory you thought were reserved for traumatic childhood memories and internet passwords. A gem of a song, that if released 10 years earlier would have been a smash hit across college campuses and folk festivals.


That is all for now friends. Remember, I am taking your requests for album reviews. Which one is next? Stay tuned!

Peace love and understanding

-- J. Flash