IMHO, the best song of 1997 is streamed below: Del Amitri's "Not Where It's At". This has everything that appeals to me: crunchy melodic guitar, a fantastic lead vocal, smart lyrics, nice harmonies and a great melody with hooks to die for. It is, indeed, power pop heaven, where I will go when I die (if I start behaving...)
Del Amitri was formed in Glascow, Scotland and has been around since the mid-80s and, after a rocky start with a strange-sounding eponymous first LP, produced 4 wonderful CDs, before fading out with a spotty final CD in 2002. Not that they knew it was final. The merger of A&M Records (started by Herb Alpert) into a multinational conglomerate left them without a label, and the only new tracks they've released since 2002 have been on their MySpace page.
Hits? In America, "Roll To Me" was their biggest. In Britain, "Kiss This Thing Goodbye" and "Always The Last To Know" also charted.
"Beatlesque", "Adult Alternative Jangle Pop" are terms frequently used to describe their music. On their MySpace page they humbly/mockingly quote a critic referring to them as "sickenly mainstream pop-rock". The stellar vocals of Justin Currie, as well as great songwriting, really set them apart. Justin also has been doing some recording, has his own MySpace page and, since Del Amitri went on hiatus, was a part of the quirky one-off release from The Uncle Devil Show "A Terrible Beauty" (for hard-core fans only - Justin is the only good thing about them). To date, he is unsigned and unreleased as a solo artist.
SO, without further ado, let's get into it. Del Amitri's "Not Where It's At". God, I am INSANELY IN LOVE with this song!
Here's a video of Justin doing one of the songs, "Be My Downfall" from Del's 1992 release "Change Everything". It was this song, with mandolin backup, that turned me on to D.A. when I heard it on WXPN:
Finally, the video from Del's biggest hit "Roll To Me:
Enjoy! Let's get these guys back TOGETHER!
My Trusted MOGs
Funny you should post this now...I was just listening to Crashing Down, and my husband said "What is the MOS saying about Del Amitri?". Low and behold...here you are. Yea, we love to listen to them here. Justin Curries voice has a classic sound, and they just don't get the credit they deserve in the US.
Here is my contribution.
My Trusted MOGs
They got enough credit, more than enough.
My Trusted MOGs
deadman is funny...i love this song and am a sucker for a great pop track.... if you like this stay tuned for a post from me about an unreleased candy butchers album.
My Trusted MOGs
Good post. I totally agree that their work got better after their debut. "Change Everything" is an outstanding album and they managed to maintain some solid releases throughout their career. I think Justin Currie is a strong lyricist as well as an original vocalist, and Iain Harvie, an excellent Guitarist.
They got a real bum rap by the stupid hacks in the UK in the mid 90's who as ever missed the point. Whilst they were wetting themselves over Oasis, Blur and Britpop, Del Amitri sadly fell under the radar and the 'clever' guys at NME dubbed them "Gitpop". I met Justin once, just after a concert in Birmingham and asked him about the term, and he just thought it was hilarious and was untroubled by it all.
"Just Like A Man" from the "Change Everything" album is very personal to me, and captures a time when things weren't great in my life and I don't know whether to thankyou, or shout at you for reminding me (LOL).
"Just Like A Man"
I still don't believe it, how much we lied, Last night you made it with him, now I'm supposed to be dignified Just like a man.
Well I spend my night times drinking, and you spend your days in bed And I guess it's up to us to choose the methods by which we forget
And just like a man he holds you gently, And just like a man he strokes your hair, And just like a man I still pretend that I'm immune to the whole affair
But I wanna die, I wanna cry, I wanna tell you I was wrong, Yeah I wanna die, I wanna cry but it's too late, so I soldier on, Just like a man
I don't believe it, you were easy to leave but now, I do my best to relieve it the only way I know how, Just like a man
And I don't wanna possess you, I don't wanna take his place, But I don't wanna see my last few pleasures written all over his face
And just like a man he holds you gently And just like a man he strokes your hair And just like a man I still pretend that I'm Immune to the whole affair
But I wanna die, I wanna cry, I wanna tell you I was wrong Yeh I wanna die, I wanna cry but it's too late So I soldier on just like a man
And I have something to tell you but it doesn't matter now I'll stick to small talk and leave the little bits of flattery to him And I could call you but why would I bother to You might not be in or he might misunderstand Just like a man
My Trusted MOGs
well i enjoyed it derm thanks x
My Trusted MOGs
oh an i think the dog's cute lol x
My Trusted MOGs
annieander: glad to find another Del fan on the MOG. Alright!
Deadman: well on the way to bitter-old-mandom. Go for it! ;)
FlowerPower333: As far as I know, this song did NOT chart, though it might have received some radio play. Not being a radio listener, I'm at a loss here.
MilesTrane: Glad (and surprised!) that you like it. Waiting for the Candy Butchers....
JammyJeff: When I buy a CD, I might read through the lyrics. But usually, it's what I can make out while listening that sticks with me. Until you printed out these lyrics, I have not gotten the true theme of "Just Like A Man". Thanks!
BrandNewFriend: a true moniker, for me. Glad you liked it and, yes, Dudley is one adorable dog.
My Trusted MOGs
del amitri are a really top band that should get more credit fantastic post cheers
My Trusted MOGs
My Trusted MOGs
Miles - I LOVE the Candy Butchers. They are going on my Amazon wish list right NOW! But, wait...reading your earlier post, this track is unreleased? So I can't buy it? ARRRGH....
Oceanrain - if only they got enough credit to get a new record deal, the world would be a better place.