I had always liked Teenage Fanclub, they were a known band but not huge, I would see bassist Gerard Love heading off the train to go and watch the football going about his business. Living the dream, making music but a normal life. Maybe they wanted to be huge, I do not know but they are still going strong thirty years later, minus Love who sadly departed in 2019, so they must be doing something right.
Grand Prix was their fifth album and went top ten. As usual Love, and guitarists Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley all contribute songs and vocals. The drummer on this one is Paul Quinn; they seem to have had as many as Spinal Tap.
I am not sure Teenage Fanclub have made a bad album, there is always something there, but this is their best and most consistent work. The guitars and tunes are beautiful and flawless all the way through, and they harmonise better than most.
Take your pick from Sparky’s Dream, Don’t look Back, Neil Jung, Discolite and I Gotta Know they all sound fresh all these years later, but the other eight tracks are worth your time and effort.
Search out Teenage Superstars an excellent documentary that the band feature in abut the Glasgow music scene.
8/10
GIVE IT A STREAM: Sparky’s Dream