The Great Western Road (Digisleeve)

Its been five years since Scotlands Deacon Blue released the chart-topping City of Love and its smash single, "Dignity." The band celebrate their 40th anniversary with The Great Western Road (and singers Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh celebrate 35 years of marriage). The album title refers to the 19th century road in Glasgow, now regarded by many as "the coolest street in the U.K." Co-produced by Ross and Gregor Philp, Ross enlisted Matt Butler as recording engineer -- they previously worked together on 1987s Raintown. The production sound of The Great Western Road differs a bit from City of Loves; its closer, less reverb-laden, and accents the beauty in the groups four-part harmonies. The title-track opener begins gracefully with a three-chord piano pattern and Ross singing, "Bus driver, wont you take me to the furthest place from here?" Ultimately, its about accepting responsibility for ones choices, and in doing so, embracing freedom. Its followed by the funky, elliptical groove of "Late 88," an anthem to lost youth, when grabbing for everything was de rigueur. McIntosh croons, revels, and testifies behind Ross. While "People Come First" isnt a single, it should be; its possibly the albums finest moment. Its lyrics were inspired by an art exhibition of the same title by American painter Alice Neel. An organ hovers atop a strident, U2-esque guitar, bass, and drum workout. Ross relates poignant stories about Neels painted people living on the margins; in the refrain, he and McIntosh sing the famous words written on the Statue of Liberty. "Wait on Me" employs a Wurlitzer piano, brushed drums, and acoustic guitar in encouraging a growing, restless child who wants to be a wanderer. "Underneath the Stars" tries on rootsy Americana with slow, twanging guitars, a sparse trap kit, and organ. Ross and McIntosh deliver a lyric couched in possibility: "Lets pretend this night is ours/Like we really owned it…" as lovers envision different circumstances other than their own. The single "Turn up Your Radio" is a string-laden, Motown-esque Celtic soul anthem. Seeking connection, Ross sings into the buzzing radio night, and McIntoshs backing vocal and the bands uplifting music provide it. Its followed by the tender, melancholy, Ronnie Lane-esque single "How We Remember It." "Mid Century Modern" offers a wah-wah funk backbeat as crooning, vintage-sounding "ooo-ooo-wah-ooo"s revel in the backdrop under Ross heartbreaking lyric about not being able to let go of a former lover. Though the mood on much of The Great Western Road is seemingly introspective, the lyrics, hooks, vamps, and intricate harmonies underscore hope and possibility as they project outward. Deacon Blue committed themselves fully to this balancing act, and they shine in doing so. This 12-track set is every bit the equal of City of Love and arguably more poetic. Its a fitting testament for a band who continue to be creative and relevant 40 years after their birth. ~ Thom Jurek