Broken Records, Celtic Connection 2011

Added on Thursday 20 Jan 2011

Photo: broken records. Old Fruitmarket 16th January 2011

Review P. Keightley

Broken Records is a six-piece indie folk band from Edinburgh Scotland, signed to 4AD. They released their debut album, 'Until the Earth Begins to Part' in 2009. This was followed by 'Let Me Come Home' in October 2010, produced by Tony Doogan (Mogwai, Delgados, Belle & Sebastian) In 2007 the band played at T in the Park's T Break Stage and were very well received. They also proved popular at SxSW Festival in Austin, Texas in 2010 and another achievement was having their music featured in the TV dramas "Skins" and "Lost". They supported The National on part of their European 'High Violet' LP tour. In May the band completed their second album 'Let Me Come Home' in October, 2010 .

Broken Records were originally formed by brothers Jamie (Lead Vocals) and Rory (fiddle, accordion) in Sutherland. They played at the Old Fruitmarket as support for the Burns Unit ( an 8-piece Canadian and Scottish folk/rock band formed over a song writing week in a cottage in the north of Scotland for Burnsong).

I have heard Broken Records perform before and was struck by their musicianship, memorable songs and energetic playing, also by Jamie's vocals, which he uses as a finely tuned instrument. The band were tight and accomplished and blasted through their set with the energy I remembered, playing songs which had a mystical quality and explored a range of emotional themes. Jamie, along with his brother, often appear lost in their rocky yet Celtic-tinged sounds and Rory's violin adds an eerie haunting air. Their music moves from intimate piano ( 'The Promise') to charged violin and drums rhythms (with new single 'A Darkness Rises Up'). Jamie finished their set with the song 'Nearly Home' simply with his vocal alongside synth keys.

Set List

  1. Leaving Song
  2. Modern Worksong
  3. Motorcyclce Boy
  4. Wolves
  5. A Darkness Rises Up
  6. A Promise
  7. You Know
  8. Nearly Home

They have now shed the cello and appear to have concentrated more on arrangements and their second album sounds so much more together and balanced.

In 2009 I heard this Edinburgh band at several venues. The best gig was in the reverential setting of the Queens Hall Edinburgh, where they blasted through a set of strong songs in the packed converted church. I was left enthralled and exhilarated by their aching, troubled yet uplifting sounds. They tour America and Europe in 2011.

Photography

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