Albums by this artist

Howdy! (2002)

Songs From Northern Britain (1997)

Thirteen (1993)

Bandwagonesque (Recommended) (1991)

Concerts

July 13, 2001
Bowery Ballroom, New York

Teenage Fanclub

Howdy!

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» TROY CARPENTER | CO-DIRECTOR

Teenage Fanclub Howdy! Thirsty Ear, 2002 RiYL: Travis, Brendan Benson, Connells

Teenage Fanclub has been cranking out modest, guitar-based pop from its home base in Scotland for 12 years now. Although, to be fair, the "modest" part only really came into play in 1995, after the departure of second drummer Brendan O'Hare led the group away from its Big Star-influenced grunge pop to a more mature, less bombastic sound.

Its most recent three albums have been extended exercises in searching for the perfect pop song, with guitarist/vocalists Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley and bassist/vocalist Gerard Love sharing songwriting duties and polishing each others' efforts to a harmony-laden sheen. But while Howdy! falls right in with this pattern, the trio more often than not falls short of its ultimate goal, revisiting territory the group mapped thoroughly on 1995's Grand Prix and 1997's Songs From Northern Britain.

First single and opening track "I Need Direction" shows the group's composing chops, as a descending melody line contrasts beautifully with well-placed backing vocals and a jumpy beat. But the rest of the album never quite regains that summit, though songs like "Straight & Narrow" and "Dumb Dumb Dumb" try valiantly. But the Fanclub's Beatlesqueness is here exploited to a harrowing degree, catchy chorus melodies blending in to one another over the record's course.

In terms of crafting a pop song, Teenage Fanclub are one of the most talented groups of today's British working class. But unfortunately, talent alone doesn't always make a great record, and Howdy! lacks the excitement to put it in that category.

TROY CARPENTER | Troy Carpenter founded NATN from a Chicago apartment during the ambitious winter of 1998 with co-conspirators Ben French and Jonathan Cohen. After a five-year stint in New York, he and wife Lourdes have recently relocated to Indianapolis, where he spends days listening to music and nights in the kitchen at Elements restaurant. Musical heroes: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Super Furry Animals. What else makes life worth living: Sushi, Phucty, runs in the park, and the Atlanta Braves.