The Umbrellas — Fairweather Friend (Slumberland)

The Umbrellas’ second album opens with a shimmer of cymbal, a bobbling pogo stick of bass, a jagged slash of guitar, hitting harder from the get-go than in the dream-poppy self-titled. Two distinct personalities emerge from songs which alternate lead singers. “Three Cheers,” and indeed, all the cuts lead sung by Matt Ferrara, leans hard into Postcard Records/C86-ish pop. Here especially, Ferrara’s scrappy heartfelt vocals give off a good whiff of Orange Juice’s Edwyn Collins, and his dueling, scrabbling guitar jangle with Morgan Stanley evokes harder, more angular bands of the era, like Fire Engines.

Then, when Stanley takes the mic, the sonics turn softer and more expansive. In careening “Goodbye,” she starts the verse against the dry tinder of drumming (that’s Keith Frerichs), the playful hop of bass (Nik Oka) then twirls and swirls in giddy “bah bah bahs” at the chorus. Her songs have the barbed sweetness of the Aislers Set and Camera Obscura.

The two switch off, both between and within songs, and some of the best cuts are the ones where they both sing. “Gone” jangles dizzily around Ferrara’s rough, pitchy romanticism, while Stanley volleys in angelic, perfect descants in a dream-scented soprano.

The Umbrella’s debut was a pleasure, but Fairweather Friend aims at deeper feelings, sharper guitar play and more rambunctious rhythms. The closing “PM” feels like it’s going to be an introspective ending, as liquid, lyrical guitars crisscross and Ferrara channels hurt and confusion. But it kicks up in a surprising way, ratcheting up the power chords, rumbling up some drums, and inviting Stanley in from the wings to lead feathery layers of melodic ecstasy. The Umbrellas have always offered bashed up, joyriding sweetness, but here they reach at—and intermittently attain—a Spector-esque wall of rock ‘n roll sound. Even better, that larger scale doesn’t undermine the vulnerability of their songs, but instead amplifies and clarifies it.

Jennifer Kelly

Orange Juice at the Moorings, near the pier, Largs 1981

Via @pastels_the

forgot how much this song rules until I stumbled across it on 8tracks last night

Orange Juice - Blue Boy (Postcard) 1980

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Hungry Beat. The Independent Pop Underground movement (1977 - 1984) by Douglas Macintyre, Grant McPhee with Neil Cooper: Book Review

Oh dear. There was so much to desire from this book. A history of my informative years in which two Scottish Labels (Fast and Postcard) were making Scotland the centre of the musical universe, right here in my own back yard. It was an amazing time. Add to that the fact that the two central characters, the svengalis of the scene, were Bob Last and Alan Horne and that I know Bob well (indeed he is…

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DUDE, SWEET! THEY RECORDED A CHRISTMAS SONG! THEY MUST HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS!

amaya sleeps in her papa's room more often than her own. adrien and rua can't stand to be without her even at night.

📩 Simblr question of the day: It's time to appreciate the small things! What's a small detail from one of your posts that you love? Could be a small tattoo on a sim, specific clutter in a sims' room, a little detail in a render or screenshot, whatever is applicable to you

Passing this on at anon's request to spread the SQOTD, delete me if it's a repeat

Hi Kirsty! Thank you for this ask 🥰 I had so much to think about bc I include SO MANY small details in my posts. Since it's city detective I wanted you guys to play along as detectives to spot any small hints or clues in my pictures/text and see if you're right later on. I'll just name these 3, they are my favourite small details (excluding ones that will give away spoilers):

Vincent's chest scar: Like I'm not expecting anyone to zoom into my pics, but at the start I never mentioned he had a heart condition or had heart surgery and then when I revealed it 🫣 I just think this whole heart/scar symbolism is very important for the story and you should look out for it.

Renee's heart earrings: I know they're not in every single picture/outfit, but Renee has worn the same earrings since a child! And they are heart earrings to show she is a hopeless romantic ❤️ Also, it's just a coincidence, but in the posts with Keon, she wasn't wearing them.

Isaac's eagle tattoo: Remember his first appearance? He was watching Vincent. And his nickname? Eagle Eyes. He is like an eagle, if you think about its symbolism. Honesty, power, courage, just to name a few...they all play a part in his character. I was so happy finding that tattoo and I really like how his gaze is like an eagle 👀

meta knight, dedede, elfilin and magolor as lps!

Aircraft Nieuport-Delage holding the speed record in 1921

French vintage postcard

lil christmas illustration

Beth Gibbons, Lives Outgrown, WIGLP287XM, Domino Recording, [May 17], 2024 [Boomkat]

Details: Deluxe edition heavyweight 180gm black vinyl in tip-on gatefold sleeve with 4-page booklet, plus 12-page A5 "Scrapbook" booklet and exclusive 12" x 12" print / 140gm Black vinyl with 4-page booklet / Jewelcase CD / CD in casebound book

Orange Juice - Simply Thrilled Honey (Postcard) 1980

Orange Juice – “Simply Thrilled Honey” / “Breakfast Time” (Postcard Records 80-6) November 1980 “Simply Thrilled Honey” by Orange Juice has a great opening and builds strongly, quaint jangling guitar, economical drum beats and Edwyn Collins’ unique vocal style all combine to make this record a winner. Probably sold in decent amounts too. According to an interview printed in ‘Sounds’ at the time…

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