Watch The Fireworks - Emma Pollock

~~~Intro~~~
I first came across Emma Pollock when I heard her most recent single, 'Paper and Glue' on the Maconie and Radcliffe show on Radio 2. The song was very catchy and when I heard it again on Radio 6 I remembered it immediately, with it's sing-along chorus and great line 'I was sure I'd moved to heaven, but the feeling didn't last'. So I decided to Google her to find out more and was very pleased I did, I now have the album and am enjoying ...
...rock in equal measure), all delivered with Emma's smooth, and at times quite heavenly, vocals.

~~~Who is Emma Pollock?~~~
Emma was a member of the Glasgow based indie band the Delgados, who split up in 2005. She co-wrote for the Delgados, a band who passed me by, despite their life of 11 years and the fact that they started the record label Chemikal Underground, who signed the likes of Mogwai, Arab Strap and Bis. Now I've looked ... more

~~~Intro~~~
I first came across Emma Pollock when I heard her most recent single, 'Paper and Glue' on the Maconie and Radcliffe show on Radio 2. The song was very catchy and when I heard it again on Radio 6 I remembered it immediately, with it's sing-along chorus and great line 'I was sure I'd moved to heaven, but the feeling didn't last'. So I decided to Google her to find out more and was very pleased I did, I now have the album and am enjoying some perfectly formed indie pop songs (mixed with folk and rock in equal measure), all delivered with Emma's smooth, and at times quite heavenly, vocals.

~~~Who is Emma Pollock?~~~
Emma was a member of the Glasgow based indie band the Delgados, who split up in 2005. She co-wrote for the Delgados, a band who passed me by, despite their life of 11 years and the fact that they started the record label Chemikal Underground, who signed the likes of Mogwai, Arab Strap and Bis. Now I've looked them up on the net, I've found that both their loyal fan base and critical support argue that they never enjoyed the success that perhaps they deserved.

If you are a Delgados fan, then from what I've read I don't think you will be disappointed with Emma's solo debut. If, like me, you've never heard any Delgados, then all the better, as you and I both have them to discover and enjoy…

Emma decided to go solo when the band split and her debut album, 'Watch the Fireworks' was released in September of this year.

~~~The Album~~~
This really is one of those albums that gets to you very quickly, with perfectly crafted melodies and thoughtful lyrics that I found myself singing along to after just one listen.

It was 'Paper and Glue' that caught my attention, but the first two singles are just as strong, if not stronger.

'Adrenaline' was the first single - don't be taken in by the chopsticks-style sunny piano intro and feminine opening verse, because the chorus is all angry guitars and rocky vocals. This is definitely a song to be danced to.

'Acid Test' was the next single and has a really great melody as well as one of those soaring choruses with a perfect vocal 'I called your name out, all sunny and blue'. This track and 'If Silence Means That Much to You' are very catchy. The latter has a whirling chorus, pounding piano and tumbling drum riff.

The album is unpredictable, though, because 'Limbs' is hauntingly beautiful. Emma's beguiling vocals will stop you in your tracks. This song also has an achingly melancholic chord change and some very moving lyrics, which my describing would only undermine.

The album is at times very girly - 'Here Comes the Heartache' in particular with its classic vocal harmonies and lyrics about falling for the wrong guy again, but also 'This Rope's Getting Tighter', which sounds reminiscent of Travis. And yet, I know that Emma has a very strong male appeal, as when I saw her play in Brighton last week, the audience was more male than female. I'm not sure whether this is because of her credentials from the Delgados days, but I would like to think it is also because the songs are really strong. I would say, too, though, that whilst Emma is no Kylie Minogue, a strong woman with an electric guitar, a voice of pure honey and cracking tunes, must be a pretty attractive prospect for most music-loving men.

The closing track on the album is 'The Optimist', which opens with just the guitar and her vocals. It's a beautifully crafted melody and it really lets her voice shine. It's a great way to close the debut album and, I hope, lead the way for more good things to come.

~~~Conclusion~~~
I'm really enjoying this album at the moment. It's simply a pleasure to listen to. Whilst very easy on the ear, it's still thoughtful and serious. Far from being an album of 3 or 4 strong tracks, the rest of them disappointing, I bought 'Watch the Fireworks' on the strength of the singles and have found as many tracks on the album that I like just as much.

Emma is touring at the moment. I saw her in Brighton last week at the Hanbury Ballroom and I have to say that her voice is as perfect live as it is on CD, so the album is by no means over-produced. If you can get to see her, I would really recommend her live performance.

If you'd like to have a listen without committing, visit www.emmapollock.com where you can listen to the 3 superb singles and the eerie and beautiful 'Limbs'. If you enjoy these tracks, then it's worth buying the album as there are more tracks on here that are just as strong.

I just hope that Emma enjoys the success solo that so eluded the Delgados.

~~~Practical Stuff~~~
Available on Amazon for £8.98.
Label: 4AD
All songs written by Emma Pollock
Produced and engineered by Victor Van Vugt

Emma Pollock: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Jamie Savage: Keyboards, Guitars, Piano
Paul Savage: Drums, Dulcimer, Percussion, Omnichord
Campbell McNeil: Bass
Knox Chandler: Guitar 

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