Glasvegas - Later...When The TV Turns To Static (Album Review)
Monday, 02 September 2013
Written by Katie Vowles
Glasvegas are back, and with an album that’ll send a few of their critics sprawling. ‘Later...When The TV Turns To Static’ is home to 10 tracks that represent the next step, with its marriage of glitchy atmospherics and anthemic choruses set to thrust them back into the limelight.
The album’s opener – and title track – boasts a powerful hook that will satisfy old heads and bring in new fans that may have written Glasvegas off in previous years. The bugbears that bothered some are still there - the songs are too long, again - but it’s clear from the slight industrial touches on ‘Later…’ that Glasvegas are broadening their sound.
On a number of occasions, they manage to nail it. Choices is a welcome, tender moment, with a simple piano line building a fitting base for the track. James Allan’s fragile vocal slides over the top, his prominent Scottish accent bringing a certain vulnerability.
Over the course of the song Glasvegas prove that they’re not all about synths and atmospherics – their musicianship is more than credible, too. All I Want Is My Baby follows a similar path successfully, kicking the album back into gear with a dominant, determined vocal line.
Allan also excels on I’d Rather Be Dead (Than Be With You) and Neon Bedroom, with both tracks also showcasing a percussive quality that pervades the record.
Not everything lands as convincingly; Youngblood is mismatched and features a grating vocal in the chorus while closer Finished Sympathy is certainly a weaker track that lacks the melodic nous apparent elsewhere, although it does manage to right itself and provide a stirring instrumental finish to proceedings.
As a whole, ‘Later...’ is something of a statement. Anthemic, well crafted and well delivered, it’s got all the hallmarks of a huge hit record. Watch this space.
Sun September 29th 2013 - LEEDS The Cockpit
Mon September 30th 2013 - BRISTOL The Fleece
Wed October 2nd 2013 - LONDON Scala
Fri October 4th 2013 - WOLVERHAMPTON Slade Rooms
Sat October 5th 2013 - SHEFFIELD The Plug
Sun October 6th 2013 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Mon October 7th 2013 - MANCHESTER Academy 3
Wed October 9th 2013 - DUBLIN Whelans
Thu October 10th 2013 - BELFAST The Limelight
Sun December 22nd 2013 - GLASGOW The Old Fruitmarket
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