Look out the window, look out at the stars above

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The Scottish Enlightenment (with Deathpodal + Le Reno Amps in support), 13th Note, Glasgow, 18-11-10.
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It's difficult to know where to start with this.... 'not enough handclaps' or 'they all look so young'? Anyway, more of that later. The main event this fine evening was the Glasgow launch of an impressive album by The Scottish Enlightenment, entitled 'St. Thomas' (Armellodie, 2010). So far, reviews from the likes of BBC 6 Music, Song, by Toad and The Scotsman have been very positive and are, indeed, well-deserved. The support came from Deathpodal and Le Reno Amps, familiar names around the Glasgow circuit and both bands clearly have a good local following, given the turnout and enthusiasm for their short sets. Musically, Deathpodal warmed me greatly, with just the right blend of interesting 'nooks and crannies' in their sound, as my late Uncle Johnny might have put it. Their EP, as The Skinny suggests, is one to get hold of. As for Le Reno Amps, their stage presence and humour was exceptional - a real engagement with the audience - and one or two songs (well, specifically, the second-last song of their set, and please excuse my ignorance at not knowing the name of this track) had me tapping toes and, er, trying to handclap. However, for the most part, it just wasn't my kind of music, I'm afraid to say. But then, I am an old man and as JC and Matthew (happy birthday!) discussed, it's music for American college kids or peeps that, perhaps, once liked this band, arguably. As for the main dish? The Scottish Enlightenment take the stage at some point after ten o'clock and although appearing a wee bit nervous and unsure, at first, their sound soon dominates the wee basement bothy that is the Note. At times, down the stairs, it can be a little 'bass muddy' (that is so not a technical term but you get what I mean), but tonight the sound is great and the guitars shine brightly, especially on the slow-burning track that is 'Necromancer'. The new album, as you would expect, is given an appropriate airing and although early on, vocally, a bit reserved, David Moyes soon finds himself and delivers the script with confidence and, well, a rather dead-pan measure. It's a great night, all told, even with the lack of handclaps and feeling far too old to witness such an event (I will get over this, though).
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The Scottish Enlightenment - 'Necromancer' (5.14)
The Scottish Enlightenment - 'The universe is drifting apart' (5.07)
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You can purchase the new album, 'St Thomas' (Armellodie, 2010), from here.
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Footnote: Possibly a not very interesting wee tale this, but... back in 2006 and 2007, I used to play 'The universe in drifting apart' to students at my University in a first year lecture sequence on the origins of contemporary sociology. For no better reason than it's a great song and it felt appropriate to play it when mentioning the likes of David Hume, Adam Smith, Thomas Reid (always mah favourite) and Robert Burns et al. A bit obvious and lame, perhaps, but one should pimp great (local) music at any possible opportunity, I would argue. Just a shame I no longer teach that particular block and am now, instead, pontificating on social identity, of all topics. Pfffft.
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PS, Not so great pictures, I'm afraid... I always find it hard to get right at the Note, given the lighting. 'Crispness' is hard to locate. And I hate using FLASH! at gigs. It is, well, so disruptive.
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