Rating: NNN
Treading darker territory than in the past, Glasgow’s Sons and Daughters have made a curious album that never quite hits the mark. When lead singer Adele Bethel is given the spotlight – as on Rose Red, a song where she takes on the persona of a serial killer – things work best. Unfortunately, both she and singer/guitarist Scott Paterson take a back seat to the heavily percussive backing tracks.
While producer Bernard Butler (Suede, Duffy) gave their last album, This Gift, a 60s classic pop direction, Mirror Mirror’s moody 80s vibe comes courtesy of producer JD Twitch from Optimo Music. Twitch’s attempt to increase the band’s dramatic flair should work but in the end comes up short. Neither as playful as previous efforts nor as spooky as it wants to be, Mirror Mirror is a middling effort by a good band.
Top track: Rose Red
