Fruit Tree Foundation

Scotland: land of the dour, the bleak, the ginge. A desolate land with its own peculiar brand of misery. Though luckily for us, these Pict's have been using their native angst to make some fantastic music. The Fence Collective, a group of musicians from the Fife district, fronted by Kenny Anderson of King Creosote fame, have been at it for years. And lets not forget indie twee heroes Belle & Sebastien and Camera Obscura, who both hailed from north of the border. Of course then there is Idlewild, who used to be good (100 Broken Windows has got to be one of the best indie albums of the noughties). And lesser known artists such as The Twilight Sad, and criminally overlooked folky troubadour, James Yorkston both of whom are fantastically engaging, dark artists. Speaking of dark, lets not forget the consummate chroniclers of domestic violence and fucked up relationships, Arab Strap. In short the nation punches far above its weight artistically.
                    This is why it is not surprising that this latest pooling of Scottish musical talents, The Fruit Tree Foundation, is such a success. The 'supergroup' consists of nine like minded artists who cross the gamut from folk to indie.The album was recorded in a bothy in deepest Perthshire during the glacial February of last year.The outfit is led by Rod Jones (Idlewild) and Emma Pollock (Delgados). Pollock said of the troupe, that they each were completely "unaware of what they were about to do." Such spontaneity, however, seems to have suited them well as the results are consistently compelling. I Forgot The Fall, sounds like Idlewild before they lost their edge. Then there is the equally upbeat 'All Gone But One', another Rod Jones composition, who seems on fine form.

 The first sentence of this review makes me sound derogatory, but it was not intended, it was a purely facetious method of enticing a potential reader. Sorry. I absolutely love all that is Scotch, and this album has reaffirmed my faith. I mean, I had forgotten just how good The Twilight Sad were, it has been a while since that memorable Autumns record. So what a lovely surprise to hear lead singer James Graham's voice on opener, 'Splinter'. He wears his Scottish accent with pride, it almost becomes an instrument itself. Imbuing the songs, somehow, with an extra profundity. A kind of warts and all honesty, dripping with emotion. Evident as he sings, stoically, of being able to take "the splinter, if you'll only miss my eye."

         The disparate array of artists here is beneficial as we are treated to rocky, indie boppers one minute then dark folky lamentations, such as 'Beware Beware', reminiscent of Bonnie Prince Billy, the next. It helps break up the mood and tempo. Each artist complementing the next in symbiotic union.

  There is something chilling about many of the tracks, such as the spectral 'Under the Fall Arch', and it conjures images of these artists in bleak isolation in the Scottish wilderness. Yet the ample boy girl harmonies and the more upbeat moments provide a welcome respite. Like a stepping inside, and stoking up of the fire.

   If there is one record you buy this month make it this, as not only is it great, but half of all sales go to a charity. It also serves as an entry point to many other oft overlooked Scottish artists. Let's just hope Kenny Anderson, of King Creosote, gets in on the second edition next time.

Here are a selection of songs from the featured artists, not on the LP, that I think are worth hearing.

James Yorkston and the Athletes – Banjo #1
Idlewild – Let Me Sleep (Next To The Mirror)