Skerryvore
Album: Chasing The Sun
Label: Tyree
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.skerryvore.com

Scottish 6 piece Skerryvore take their name from a remote reef that lies 12 miles off the coast of their home island of Tiree in Western Scotland. This is an island that few people outside of Scotland may have heard of and sadly that's been the case, in some part, for Skerryvore despite the band coming up for 10 years old now. That should all change though with the release of fifth album 'Chasing The Sun'.

The album is perhaps more mature than previous releases which is what you'd expect from a band reaching the end of their first decade. The album is based around recollections of summers spent on Tiree and has a reflective feel throughout which lives up to the title.

Opening track 'Can You Hear Us?' is a great example of this multi-faceted bands musical chops and is reminiscent in style and delivery of historical Scottish rock giants such as Big Country and Runrig. A statement of intent if ever there was one, the track is powered by gusts of raw musical power.

The pipes' driven instrumental tune 'The Rut' follows up and with its carefully considered pace and structure provides a refreshing alternative, musically, to the brilliantly chaotic style of Treacherous Orchestra with some deft guitar soloing to boot. Conversely 'Oblique Blend' is a rollicking hay-ride of a tune that gallops along at a tremendous pace as the pipes of Martin Gillespie and brother Daniel Gillespie's accordion battle it out for top billing. Further evidence of the bands musical prowess comes in the form of Moonraker which uses the classic fast-slow-fast rulings to great effect.

In principal songwriter an Alec Dalglish, Skerryvore have a fantastic talent who's accessible vocal style and lyrics could and should see the band opened up to a whole new audience, particularly south of the border. The summery bounce of 'We Can Run' sums up the albums themes perfectly and is a perfect clap-along jaunt that would be a hit for many better known acts. 'Blown Away' is a passionate and heartfelt paean to home as Dalglish romanticises over his own particular residences. The track becomes all the more spine tingling as it appears again in acoustic form, tagged on to the end of the album. The track also represents the band's first foray into international collaboration as it was produced by award winner Chris Kess who has worked with The Dave Matthews Band amongst others. The Americana tinged 'You Were My Friend' is a beautifully paced ode to departed souls with a lilting tune lifted by an impassioned vocal. Held up against the more raucous moments of the album it shows again the incredible range and diversity that the band possess.

Chasing The Sun is a brilliantly realised, polished and accessible piece of work and one the band should rightly hope will help elevate them to the platform they so richly deserve to be performing from. Look out for select English shows in November and cross everything that Skerryvore allow us to take to them wholeheartedly in 2015.

Rob Fearnley