weightlifting album review

from the land of bubblegum waters

transform online

by dave schutz
october 18, 2004

Back after eight years without a stateside release are Trashcan Sinatras, who are not so Sinatra and even less trashcan. Weightlifting is a shimmering slab of tunes that sometimes treads the same stringy ‘70s pop territory as homeboys Belle & Sebastian, but is more often situated in the mid-‘90s and is vaguely more serious (read: British) than most Scottish pop. Maybe it’s just the shades of Morrissey in Francis Reader’s vocals.

“Welcome Back” is a deceiving opener, a hefty dose of exuberant power-pop to kick things off. From “Got Carried Away” forward, it’s mostly mid-tempo dreaminess with occasional pastoral touches a la Mojave 3 that play very well (“Country Air,” the title track). The tunes, though sometimes too overblown for my tastes, are well penned and arranged. Overall, a fine effort.

www.trashcansinatras.com
www.spinartrecords.com

Originally appeared in Transform Online .