If the last post was about the obscure, this one is all about Scotland’s media darlings. The longlist for Scottish Album of the Year 2013 has been announced. Is this the year when raising awareness of the event itself takes precedence over taste?
The previous Scottish Album of the Year list had many lesser known acts, such as Happy Particles, which made championing it an easy decision. At a glance, we could be mistaken for thinking that this year’s is a more industry-driven affair.
In their own analysis, The Skinny points out that,
the 2013 selection contains two albums which have had major mainstream success, making stars out of the artists concerned.
The inclusion of Calvin Harris and Emeli Sandé will no doubt assist the award in gaining more column inches and soundbites in mainstream media than it may have done otherwise.
Unsurprisingly, critically acclaimed albums make up the rest of the list.
Whether you’re in a band looking in from the outside, or a teenage music fan looking for the next record to torrent, you might wonder why these records are being singled out and, more importantly, why should you care?
There’s an argument that the same folk in the central belt receive more than their fair share of exposure as it is. Perhaps that’s true.
It doesn’t change the fact that albums from RM Hubbert, Miaoux Miaoux, and The Unwinding Hours on Chemikal Underground are all excellent records. Or that Admiral Fallow bring flair and wit to not just Scottish indie pop but a wider global audience.
As always, voting with your wallet is the best way to support the bands and artists you love.
Considering what price video game DLC content packs get charged at these days, it seems short-sighted to grumble over a £5 or £10 record in your local indie record shop.
This week perhaps you’ll consider picking up one of the nominees.
Scottish Album of the Year Awards 2013: Longlist
Admiral Fallow – Tree Bursts In Snow
Auntie Flo – Future Rhythm Machine
Calvin Harris – 18 Months
Dam Mantle – Brothers Fowl
Django Django – Django Django
Duncan Chisholm – Affric
Emeli Sandé – Our Version of Events
Errors – Have Some Faith In Magic
Human Don’t Be Angry – Human Don’t Be Angry
Karine Polwart – Traces
Konrad Wiszniewski & Euan Stevenson – New Focus
Lau – Race The Loser
Meursault – Something For The Weakened
Miaoux Miaoux – Light of the North
Paul Buchanan – Mid Air
PAWS – Cokefloat
RM Hubbert – Thirteen Lost & Found
Stanley Odd – Reject
The Twilight Sad – No One Can Ever Know
The Unwinding Hours – Afterlives
