Thirteen

Teenage Fanclub is one of the best unoriginal bands in pop music. Borrowing heavily (some would say plagiarising) from the Byrds and Big Star, these Scots make beautifully simple--often formulaic--pop textured with lush harmonies and layered, chime-y guitars. Only the most curmudgeonly sort could resist pop this sweet. more...

The Fannies' sweeping, infectious melodies rouse the adolescent rock & roll romantic in us all, evincing visions of summer vacations, cruising with the windows down, and the giddiness that accompanies first love. THIRTEEN is a collection of perfect, shining pop songs, and such tunes as "Hang On" and "Radio" are sublime examples of their kind. One of the group's finest and most cohesive offerings, this disc is further proof of Teenage Fanclub's enduring and irresistible charms.

Rolling Stone (11/11/93, p.73)
- 3.5 Stars - Good Plus - "...Teenage Fanclub are among the best recyclers around....THIRTEEN is even sweeter than its predecessor: the guitars are more meticulously massed, and [they've] beefed up their dulcet harmonies..."

Musician (12/93, p.86)
- "...THIRTEEN is a collection of superb pop songs that strum and bang and quickly get out of the way....Where previous albums found them coming up short in the idea department, THIRTEEN seems overloaded with melodic possibilities...."

Q (1/94, p.86)
- Included in Q's list of `The 50 Best Albums Of 1993' - "...a rich, self-absorbed and fiercely democratic work..."

Q (11/93, p.137)
- 4 Stars - Excellent - "...sterling evidence of songcrafting that scores points for guitar stitching, reverential harmonizing and coolly yearning disposition..."

NME (12/25/93, p.67)
- Ranked #37 in New Musical Express' list of `The Top 50 LPs Of 1993' - "...one of the most underrated releases of the year. A fabulous record..."

Melody Maker (9/25/93, p.34)
- "...The overall sound and spirit of THIRTEEN suggests that Teenage Fan Club are contriving a calculated bid for stateside AOR...or they're making a cynical point about American rock...[it's] the first Teenage Fanclub album to sound like Teenage Fanclub..."

NME (10/2/93, p.31)
- 7 - Very Good - "...these irritatingly modest Glaswegians have never concealed their drive towards Classic Album terrain. THIRTEEN delivers that dream...."

Entertainment Weekly (11/12/93, p.64)
- "...Teenage Fanclub sound contrived and wholly natural [on THIRTEEN]...strong melodies and sweet harmonies add to the scruffy charm..." - Rating: A-