Sons & Daughters
London Islington Academy
21st November, 2007

Glasgow’s Sons & Daughters are masters and mistresses of tension; their gigs make the air crackle. They’ve never quite made it big, but to know them is to love them, and their fervent followers are agog to hear cuts from their forthcoming third album, This Gift, produced by the attending Bernard Butler. From the demented cow-punk screech of oldie Rama Lama, to the glossier girl-group charms of new tracks like Chains, every song is sharp and taut, guitarist Scott Paterson and singer Adele Bethan’s charged interplay as thrilling as ever. The newer material blends well with ferocious classics like Red Receiver and bloodsoaked ceilidh stomper Dance Me In. The lack of the classic Fight is made up for by an impassioned rendition of Johnny Cash, gorgeous next single Darling, and Bethan’s fantastic Winehouse-esque beehive, sequins and hotpants. Pure class.