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FESTIVE FIX A MASSIVE HIT December 26th. 2003 December 19th. For the last few year, Edinburgh label SL Records has been toiling away in relative obscurity. But despite the fact that their high quality roster of bands are championed by the father of Radio One, John Peel, and that they're ever present - and popular-fixtures on the local live scene, they never seem to get the recognition they deserve. One thing's for certain, though, their Christmas party will always be a fixture of the local gigging calendar. First up were two relative newcomers to the SL stable. Between them, The Starlets and My Tiny Robots are not incredible bands, but they manage to create subtle and heartfelt indie music that involves a bit of intelligence. On the other hand, Desc are an incredible band. Contemplating the basic band set-up with cello and violin, they're dark, powerful, affecting and utterly unique. Perfectly marrying Dan Mutch's agonised vocals with Helena MacGilp's tender tones, they're hard to forget and easy to love. After that very little could compare, and Degrassi failed to to live up to their predecessors. Usually a jagged rock outfit featuring ex-Idlewild bassit Bob Fairfoull, they were strangely bassless and acoustic here. Finally to ballboy. the most commercial act on the label, they're a unique blend of Travis' pop hooks and Belle & Sebastian's eccentricity. They also have a one-off lyricist in Gordon MacIntyre, and either this, or their great live presence, will see them succeed before long. John Kelly |
Big Toe's Hi-Fi The Egg Red Alert Randan Discotheque Roots Manoeuvres (Big Toe) MANGOMAD The Egg SL Records Xmas Party Sputniks Down Mouthmoth Records Night Phil Niblock Phil Niblock Keb Darge The Proclaimers
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