Glasvegas is the debut studio album by the Scottish alternative rock band Glasvegas, first released in the UK on 8 September 2008 by Columbia Records (see release history). The album was produced by lead singer James Allan and Rich Costey (Muse, Franz Ferdinand). The album sold copies in its first week of release and reached number 2 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was nominated for Best International Album at the 2008 Swedish Rockbjörnen awards and the 2009 Mercury Prize. NB: Select "Jag vill rösta på:" in "11: Årets utländska album". On 25 September 2009 the album was certified Platinum by the BPI for sales of 300,000 copies in the UK.

Reception

The album was released to generally positive reviews. Observer Music Monthly says that "these hard-nosed softies are unique and this, make no mistake, is their Definitely Maybe, the quintessential noise-pop set of the modern age."Mardles, Paul (10 August 2008), . The Observer. (access 2009-01-06) Dot Music gave the album a glowing review, calling it "a gut punch of a debut, and one that makes you believe Glasvegas are one of those rare, rare bands who might just have that perfect record in them."Gill, Jaime (12 September 2008), . Yahoo! Music. (accessed 2008-01-07) Likewise, the NME exclaimed, "So believe it: this is the real thing, no-one's crying wolf, not even Alan McGee."Mackay, Emily (5 September 2008) . New Musical Express. Rolling Stone found that on the album "Glasvegas create wall-of-distortion melodrama that draws on The Jesus and Mary Chain, Sixties girl groups and The Velvet Underground's rain-dance pulse. It makes for a compelling blend of grays--lit by singer James Allan's high, bright hurrahs."Fricke, David (22 January 2009), . The Rolling Stone. (access 2009-01-07) Spin proclaimed: "Glasgow quartet Glasvegas are a product of this world--frontman James Allan is even a former semipro footballer--and their remarkable debut gives voice to its fears, frustrations, and heartaches without succumbing to its clichés."Peisner, David (2008-12-30), . Spin.(accessed 2008-01-07) Music critic Robert Christgau gave the album an A grade in his February 2009 MSN Consumer Guide column, describing the band as "too good to be true."Christgau, Robert. "". MSN. Retrieved on 9 February 2009.

In a mixed review, The New York Times remarked that "Glasvegas is determinedly provincial, insisting there is grandeur in everyday lives. But what sounds rousing in Britain can sound sodden and overwrought to American ears."Ratcliff, Ben (5 January 2009), . The New York Times. C1. (accessed 2008-01-07) The Guardian concluded that "there are definitely failings and shortcomings on display here, but they're substantially outweighed by moments when Glasvegas hit their target with a force that makes you believe they might well survive the more outrageous claims being made on their behalf."Petridis, Alexis (5 September 2008), .The Guardian (accessed 2009-01-07)

Accolades

Artwork

VanGogh-starry night ballance1.jpgthumbrightVincent van Gogh's The Starry Night inspired the artwork for the album cover.

The album's cover artwork, designed and illustrated by Village Green, is inspired by Vincent van Gogh's 1889 painting The Starry Night. James Allan favored the comparison between the painting and the band's sound, for their "tranquility, but fury as well."Artwork section taken from Q Magazine, January 2009 issue, pg. 87

Chart position

Personnel and credits

Glasvegas

* James Allan – vocals, guitar, production

* Rab Allan – vocals, guitar

* Paul Donoghue – bass guitar

* Caroline McKay – drum kit

** Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata on track 8 performed by Paul Cantelon

Production

* Rich Costey – production, mixing, engineering

* Max Dingle – engineer

* Justin Jamison – engineer (atmosphere)

* Kevin Burleigh – engineer (audio consigliere)

* Ben Liscio – engineer (The Young Team), mixing (assistant)

* Anthony Palazzole, Charlie Stavish, Lee Slater, Justin Gerrish – mixing (assistant)

* Howie Weinberg – mastering on all tracks; except track 8, mastered by Dick Beetham

* Village Green – design and illustrations

DVD credits

* Craig Hamilton – production, ABC Glasgow

* Merlin Bonning – sound engineer

* Brett Turnbull – lighting cameraman

* Nick Wheeler – lighting cameraman

* Keith Ingram – camera operator

* Neil Thom – camera operator

* Ashley Cowan – assistant producer

* Simon Fisher – production coordinator

* Rosa Bond – editor

* Jez Breadin – producer

* Andy Derbyshire – producer

* James Russell – director

* Silversea – production company

* Hammerhead TV – camera and audio facilities

* The Joint – edit facility

* "Geraldine" video – directed by Paul Minor

* "Daddy's Gone" video – directed by Jamie Thraves

Release history

References

Category:2008 albums

Category:Debut albums

Category:Glasvegas albums

Category:Columbia Records albums

it:Glasvegas (album)

nl:Glasvegas (album)

pl:Glasvegas (album)

fi:Glasvegas (albumi)

sv:Glasvegas (album)

Artist/Band Information

Glasvegas are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in Glasgow in 2003. The band consists of James Allan (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rab Allan (lead guitar, backing vocals), Paul Donoghue (bass guitar, backing vocals). Previous drummer Caroline McKay left in March 2010.

History

Formation and early years (2003–2006)

The band's original line-up came together in late 2003, comprising James Allan on vocals and guitar, his cousin Rab Allan on guitar, Paul Donoghue on bass guitar, and Ryan Ross on drums. They toured intermittently from 2003 to 2005 around Scotland, releasing a limited edition double A-side single, "I'm Gonna Get Stabbed"/"Ina Lvs Rab" on CD in May 2004. Ryan Ross left the group in late 2004 to go to the USA. In December 2005, the band asked Caroline McKay to be their drummer. A notable early supporter of the band was Alan McGee. with stv.tv/music On 30 October 2006, the band released a self-funded limited edition 7" single, "Go Square Go!."

Glasvegas and A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss) (2007–present)

Following the release of another limited edition 7" single, "Daddy's Gone" on 5 November 2007, Glasvegas found themselves at the centre of a bidding war from several major record labels. "Daddy's Gone" sold out and was voted the number two single of the year by NME magazine. After releasing their third limited edition 7" single, "It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry" on 14 February 2008, the band opted to sign to Columbia. They then won the prestigious Philip Hall Radar Award at the NME Awards two weeks later. Glasvegas recorded their eponymous debut album, Glasvegas, at Brooklyn Recording Studios in New York. The album was produced by James Allan and Rich Costey. The album was released on 8 September 2008, and included re-recordings of "Daddy's Gone" (the second single from the album), "It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry," and "I'm Gonna Get Stabbed" (retitled "Stabbed," and featuring the backing music of Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata), as well as previously unreleased songs "Polmont on My Mind," "Lonesome Swan," "S.A.D. Light," and "Geraldine," which was the first single from the album.

In October 2008, Glasvegas recorded a Christmas-themed mini-album, A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss), over twelve days—ten of which in a Transylvanian church in Romania—and was released on 1 December 2008. The band headlined the 2009 NME Awards Tour in January 2009, following their own US and UK tour. They also supported Oasis on a number of their European tour dates, and also supported them on their largest UK Stadium Tour playing at Slane Castle on 20 June 2009. The group also supported U2 in Dublin's Croke Park on July 24, 2009, Wembely Stadium on August 15, 2009, Hampden Stadium on August 18, 2009 and the Millennium Stadium on 22 August 2009.

Glasvegas received three nominations for the 2008 Swedish Rockbjörnen awards: Best International Act, Best International Album for Glasvegas and Best International Song for "Geraldine." NB: Select "Jag vill rösta på:" in "9: Årets utländska grupp", "10: Årets utländska låt" and "11: Årets utländska album" In Q magazine's list of the Top 50 Albums of 2008, Glasvegas was voted the fifth best album of the year. Along with "Suspicious Minds" Glasvegas covered a version of Hole's "Heaven Tonight" featuring Guns N Roses bassist Duff McKagan.

Glasvegas played Lollapalooza 2009 in Chicago for the first time.

Discography

Studio albums

*Glasvegas (2008)

*A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss) (2008)

Awards

NME Awards

The NME Awards are an annual music awards show, founded by the music magazine NME. Glasvegas have received one award from three nominations.

References