Songs From Northern Britain

Critics are always citing Big Star and Neil Young as this band's biggest inspirations, but as far as this disc is concerned, just think Byrds and you'll have the "influence thing" covered. "Start Again" is vintage Fanclub; layered vocal harmony throughout, a simple ringing guitar break, all of it wrapped up in a mellow, mid-tempo pop package. This is lush guitar pop, pure and unblemished by affectation or fashion, delivered in a straight-ahead, honest style. more...

"Can't Feel My Soul" builds on top of a monotonous, clanging wash of chiming guitars and, as usual, two, maybe three chords, but no more. The guitar solo is typical Fanclub; short, fuzzy and to the point. If you like sweet, slightly skewed, sixties-oriented pop, you'd do well to join this particular fanclub.

Melody Maker (12/20-27/97, pp.66-67)
- Ranked #41 on Melody Maker's list of 1997's "Albums Of The Year."

NME (12/20-27/97, pp.78-79)
- Ranked #8 in NME's 1997 Critics' Poll.

Q (4/01, p.128)
- 4 stars out of 5 - "...As good an example of their charming pop-rock as you'll find....Timeless power-pop joy. Still terrific."

Melody Maker (7/19/97, p.42)
- "...it's a welcome relief to come across an album concerned with nothing more than playing some rather lovely songs in a rather lovely way....in a world where you're only as good as your last chorus, Teenage Fanclub are rarely less than Very Good Indeed."