Over the last 50 years, Scotland has frequently served as the epicenter for some of the most compelling developments in guitar music. Author Grant McPhee has meticulously curated a comprehensive 3-CD set that documents the evolution of Scottish independent music from 1985 to 1999. Released by the consistently reliable Cherry Red, this collection traverses a diverse range of scenes and styles, capturing a period when the nation’s underground music culture was thriving.
Following the early 80s, where the iconic Postcard Records label paved the way with seminal acts like Orange Juice, Josef K, and Aztec Camera, the creative baton was passed to the subsequent generation of artists featured here. The compilation opens with The Jesus and Mary Chain’s “You Trip Me Up,” immediately grounding the listener in the mid-80s. Creation Records, a pivotal label of the era, is well-represented, notably by Primal Scream’s brilliant “Gentle Tuesday.” Other highlights from the label include contributions from The BMX Bandits, The Jasmine Minks, and Biff Bang Pow!, whose track “He Don’t Need That Girl” stands out for its crisp production and infectious vocal harmonies.
Shining a Light on Hidden Gems
The first disc excels at highlighting singles that deserve greater recognition from the latter half of the 80s. The Motorcycle Boy’s 1987 debut, “Big Rock Candy Mountain,” is a standout, offering a dreamy, harmony-drenched chorus that remains irresistible. Similarly, The Thieves’ “Talk Your Head Off” possesses a cult-classic quality, defined by its sharp melody and memorable lyrical hooks. The collection also captures the jangly indie-pop aesthetic perfectly through Baby Lemonade’s “Much Too Late” and the energetic, skuzzy rush of The Fizzbombs’ “Blue Summer.”
Beyond the lighter, twee-adjacent sounds, the compilation embraces the lo-fi and experimental fringes of the scene. Tracks like Dawson’s “Noel Edmonds” and the raw output of The Golden Dawn provide a necessary sonic contrast. For those seeking more aggressive textures, Stretchheads deliver the collection’s punkiest moment with “A Freakout,” a track that channels the chaotic energy of Butthole Surfers and the rhythmic complexity of Big Black.
The first disc reaches its zenith with The Shop Assistants’ “I Don’t Want To Be Friends With You,” a quintessential 80s single that remains as perfect today as it was upon release, driven by an insistent beat and Alex Taylor’s playful, defiant delivery.
The Evolution of the 90s Sound
The second disc shifts focus toward the influential Sarah Records label, opening with The Orchids’ title track, “Something For The Longing.” The selection here is eclectic, ranging from the sophisti-pop leanings of The Pearlfishers to the poignant, string-laden balladry of Superstar. Lung Leg provides a jolt of pure punk energy with the 64-second powerhouse “Punk Pop Travesty.”
As the compilation moves into the 90s, the influence of established acts becomes apparent. Long Fin Killie’s “The Lamberton Lamplighter” showcases impressive storytelling, while Pink Cross’s “Punk Outfit” captures a snarling, Elastica-esque attitude. The third disc, arguably the strongest of the set, serves as a hit-filled retrospective of the decade’s latter half. Belle and Sebastian are represented by the cinematic “Lazy Line Painter Jane,” while Arab Strap’s “The First Big Weekend” remains a career-defining piece of bleak, compelling narrative songwriting.
The inclusion of early career tracks from The Delgados and Camera Obscura offers a fascinating glimpse into their formative sounds. The Beta Band appears with the hazy “Inner Meet Me,” and Bis contributes the character-filled “Keroleen.” The compilation concludes with Mogwai’s atmospheric “Christmas Steps,” rounding out a collection that feels like a curated journey through the best of John Peel’s legendary Festive 50s.
Grant McPhee and Cherry Red have succeeded in creating a balanced, lovingly packaged document of a magical era. By blending established names with underground treasures, Something For The Longing serves as both a nostalgic trip and a vital discovery tool for new listeners. It is a varied, surprising, and thoroughly engaging three-disc set that never loses its momentum.