weightlifting album review

cincinnati's city beat

by brian baker
september 14, 2004

TRASHCAN SINATRAS: Weightlifting

(spinART Records)

Grade: A-

There was a brief moment in the early '90s when Glasgow's Trashcan Sinatras were dubbed the Scottish Smiths and seemed poised to capitalize on that potent comparison. Sadly, Nirvana sent labels looking for the next Grunge thing and the subtle Indie Pop lilt of the Sinatras was derailed in the process. The quintet's label went belly up, tax troubles drained them and their third album, 1996's A Happy Pocket, was never released in the U.S. But the band continued to work, selling CDs on their Web site and eventually securing a Scottish Arts Council grant to complete the patently wonderful Weightlifting, the Sinatras' first album in the U.S. in 11 years. The Smiths yardstick still applies, but the moody Sinatras were never as dark or edgy, preferring to hew closer to the shimmery Pop ethic of Belle and Sebastian. The beauty of the Sinatras' previous work remains intact on Weightlifting; a distinct lyrical weight ("What Women Do to Men," "Trouble Sleeping") offset by an almost breezy Pop soundtrack ("Country Air," "Welcome Back"). Start spreading the news ... old 10 eyes is back.

Originally appeared in City Beat .