Music > Album Reviews
Teenage Fanclub - Nothing Lasts Forever
22/09/23
On their eleventh full studio album, the Scottish titans draw in the night as thoughts become reflective and those hazy summer evenings slowly burn out.
The record is full of reflection yet also about moving forward, not dwelling on the past. “Foreign Land” kicks us off, the song is drenched in feedback, not unlike “The Concept” from their seminal album “Bandwagonesque” it’s a sun-kissed, joyful opening track that insists on moving forward.
“Tired Of Being Alone” wanders in with a real autumnal feel to it, watching seasons go and falling leaves on the ground below. It’s quintessential Fanclub, the harmonies dance along with the jangly guitars and percussion, you instantly know it belongs to them and you instantly fall instantly into the mix.
The music was recorded in the Welsh countryside at the famous Rockfield Studios, you can feel the barren landscape shifting throughout the album, the environment has breathed a wonderful light onto this collection of songs.
To compound that feeling of moving on three of the ten tracks feature the word light in their titles. We also get “Falling Into The Sun” which brings a hint of gospel and shimmering guitar hooks, it’s a real highlight of the record.
“Self Sedation” has a piano hook which sounds like it was written by McCartney or Lennon. It bounces along quite wonderfully and when those signature notes and guitars join in the mix it becomes a real joy to behold.
“I Will Love You” ends the album with over seven minutes of epic soundscapes and melodies. The introduction sounds like it could be lifted from a 70's Sci-Fi film, it has an almost trance like state to it, drawing the listener into its place and patterns. Again the harmonies are off the scale, it is glorious melancholy.
Teenage Fanclub have been giving us wonderful sounds and imagery for over three decades. Nothing Lasts Forever they say, but great songs never die and thankfully Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley have written many a wonderful song.
8/10