Galashiels

Description

The Catburgers formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, in late 1985, inspired by a chance encounter seeing The Television Personalities in concert and by the DIY pop explosion that was sweeping across the UK at the time. They quickly developed a catchy and melodic sound that balanced a love for 60s pop with a dark, almost post-punk twist, fitting perfectly alongside other Scottish pop bands like The Pastels and Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes, as well as groups from labels like Creation and Dreamworld. The Catburgers played frequently and enthusiastically throughout 1986 and 1987, recording demos that continued to attract concert offers and led Dan Treacy to invite the band to record a single for Dreamworld. Unfortunately, that single never materialized at the time, and although the band continued to write and perform, changing tastes and professional obligations led to their breakup in 1990, but not before they recorded the tracks that would become "Galashiels." Songs like "I've Got a Friend" and "The First Day of Spring" are thrilling, overflowing with youthful enthusiasm and solid gold hooks, the kind of songs that would have appeared on a thousand mixtapes had they been released back then. The mood turns darker towards the end of the album, reflecting the band's post-punk roots. What really stands out is the strength of the songwriting throughout the record. The Catburgers had a true knack for a melody, and it's a real gift to hear "Galashiels" nearly 40 years later.