Five Hungry Joes – A pictorial archive of the Trashcan Sinatras. Legendary Scottish Band

So far, I haven’t seen much in the way of promotion/review etc for the UK release of fifth album, ‘In The Music’.

That is until I bought this month’s edition of well-respected UK music magazine, MOJO. David Sheppard gives our veteran Caledonian combo 3 out of 5.

Here’s what he has to say:

Trashcan Sinatras’ only substantial hit may have borne the unprepossessing title Obscurity Knocks but, 23 years into a steadfastly unhurried career, they still enjoy a robust US college radio following.

Now based, impractically, in both Glasgow and Los Angeles this – their fifth album – was recorded in New York and Martha’s Vineyard, home to the estimable Carly Simon. Her delicious, clouds-in-my-coffee tones purr across soulful ballad Should I Pray? (previously recorded by yearning-voiced singer John Douglas’s wife, Eddi Reader), melting into a rich sound world etched with rippling electric guitars, luxuriant drums and tremulous Hammond organ.

Douglas’s songs dwell on middle-aged contentment, yet skilfully avoid smug sentimentality, as does the infectious title track, a discreetly funky arrangement of an Ali Smith love poem.

The remainder, while hardly kicking over the musical traces, offers a convincing MOR upgrade on consoling ’80s indie-pop.

October 2009 MOJO Magazine Issue 191

Quarter page advertisement promoting the UK release of ‘In The Music’.

October 2009 Uncut Magazine