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Sons and Daughters, 'This Gift'

Scottish foursome gives murder ballads and rockabilly a New Wave update

By David Peisner, Special to Metromix

January 28, 2008

Critic's Rating:

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Backstory: Born in 2001 out of the same fertile Glasgow music scene that produced Franz Ferdinand, Mogwai and Belle & Sebastian, Sons and Daughters clearly staked out their own ground on their black-hearted, critically slathered-over 2005 debut, “The Repulsion Box.” They spent nearly six months recording the follow-up with producer Bernard Butler (ex-Suede).

Why you should care: Sons and Daughters mash 19th century murder ballads, ‘50s rockabilly and ‘80s New Wave into a hip-shaking hybrid that sounds totally contemporary. The dark, charged “Gilt Complex” finds Adele Bethel snarling beautifully along with torrid guitars and a rumbling bass line. “Split Lips” borrows the chilly piano line from Patti Smith’s “Because the Night” in service of a song that explodes with similar power and drama. On “Chains,” Bethel playfully jousts with the more deadpan singer/guitarist Scott Paterson over a joyful stutter-step, sock-hop rhythm.

Verdict: Any band that can bring together fans of Blondie, the Smiths, Johnny Cash, the Gun Club and the Big Bopper deserves to be heard.

X-Factor: Multi-instrumentalist Ailidh Lennon is married to Roddy Womble, frontman for fellow critically acclaimed Scottish rock outfit, Idlewild.

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