Stapleton – Rest And Be Thankful

• 19th May 2008

I like to pride myself on my knowledge of the Glasgow music scene so I was somewhat bemused to discover that Stapleton is one of my city’s very own. Discovering that ‘Rest and be Thanful’ is their fourth studio album only made matters worse, why did I not know about them before recieving this album through my letter box?

Without sounding too facetious it’s quite simple, they seem like (I’m basing it on this album remember) the sort of band that won’t grab you with their boundless energy and kick ass riffs but nor will they have you running to your radio in haste to change stations.

Stapleton are a melancholy band that seem to have eschewed the path that many of their contempories have taken and discovered success with. There is no comparing them to The Fratelli’s, Franz Ferdinand or Glasvegas, which is not a bad thing but it makes them easy to overlook with the plethora of stylised indie guitar bands taking over the Scottish music scene.

‘Absent Friends’ showcases what they do best with an undercurrent of lulling guitar and pensive lyrics. Their popular hit (so I’m told) gets a re-release including, louder drums, louder guitar and dancier beats, the bass line is infectious and it works but it is the only track on the album that makes them sound like they might have more than one set of balls between them

Singers Andrew Cook and Alistair Paxon are talented guys but they never really sound like they’re letting go and whole heartedly enjoying it, whch is a shame because I think that if they did then I’d like it a lot more. It’s all very nice but who wants to make nice music?