Welcome to another edition of “Please Release Me,” in which your Idolators request–nay beg–that an out-of-print, delayed or held-up-in-customs album be issued stateside:
Artist: Aberfeldy
Hometown: Edinburgh, Scotland
Album: Do Whatever Turns You On, 2006
What is it?: For the last 20 years, the Scottish government has established a program of tax breaks, guns-for-wool-caps exchanges, and free tea to aspiring musicians, all to encourage the formation of twee-pop bands. So while Aberfeldy may not be the first group of Scots to churn out three-minute bittersweet love songs, their wonderful 2004 debut, Young Forever, proved that even a worn-down genre can still yield some choice tunes.
Where is it?: Released this summer in the U.K.–where Aberfeldy had the coolness-diminishing misfortune of opening for James Blunt–Whatever doesn’t have a U.S. release date yet; and considering that they’re on the financially troubled Rough Trade label, who knows if they’ll get another shot at the states anytime soon. Either way, we’re dying to hear the record, as these two tracks (sent it by a much-appreciated reader) indicate they were beginning to rock out a bit–in the politest way possible, of course.
Aberfeldy – Someone Like You [MP3, link expired]
Aberfeldy – Need To Know [MP3, link expired]
Aberfeldy [MySpace]
It’s a disappointing record, in my opinion. I loved the first one too, but it’s simple charms are lost in the Cars-esque production of this new album. Apparently they made it in Williamsburg, and lived here for like three months last year. Never played out during that time that I know of, though. They were really good, however, when they played at Mercury Lounge in March.