Emma Pollock : Watch the Fireworks

<span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://www.qromag.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/emmapollockwatchthefireworks.jpg" alt=" " />Emma Pollock of The Delgados hits up a nice mix of singer/songwriter and catchy alternative on her solo debut, <span style="font-style: italic" class="Apple-style-span">Watch the...
7.7 4AD
2007 

  The Scottish Delgados might be better known for founding the Chemikal Underground imprint (home of Mogwai and Arab Strap, among others), placing them at the center of Scotland's sad indie-pop scene.  And Pollock keeps herself in that vein, without getting too maudlin or self-involved, on her latest.

Watch the Fireworks unfortunately starts a bit too high-toned, with "New Land", whose sweetness is a little too slow.  But things really get going witht the following "Acid Test".  It's catchy beat, great rhythm, and nice drive all just make it a stand-out pop song.  And the orchestral ways of "New Land" are put to better use in the subsequent "Paper and Glue", the record's flowing, carrying single.

That's the rough divide on Watch the Fireworks: high-toned vs. down-home.  But there's even variety within these groups, as well.  The fancier entries, more reminiscent of Pollock's work with The Delgados, range from orchestral pieces like "Paper" to stripped-down croon.  There's the piano croon of "Fortune", finger-plucking croon of finisher "The Optimist", and a mix between the two on "Limbs" and "This Rope's Getting Tighter".

However, it's the more laid-back, even country-time Pollock that is stronger – or at least more enjoyable.  In addition to "Acid", there's the grand one-two of "Adrenaline" and "If Silence Means That Much To You"; "Silence" has a darkly wry nature and dance hall effects as well.  But Pollock shows comes up with some great alt-country hooks, and stomping choruses, on "You'll Come Around" and "Here Comes the Heartbreak".

With her winning, upbeat ways, one almost wishes Pollock had strayed further from her Delgados roots.  There's certainly an air of Canada's alt-country/rock New Pornographers on Watch the Fireworks, fitting, as they share a label and she served as opener for them in the fall.  One hopes there's more of this to come.

MP3 Stream: "Acid Test"

{audio}/mp3/files/Emma Pollock – Acid Test.mp3{/audio}

– Graham Goodwin

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