The Delgados – The Great Eastern (2000)
Often overlooked, the Delgados fused the traditional english elements of folk and brass with strings, guitars, more guitars and densely layered song structures. This album, employed the talents of Dave Fridmann at the controls and the effect is fittingly wondrous. Nominated, rightly for a Mercury Prize, these songs soar with the majesty of eagles riding the scottish highland thermals. An absolute triumph. That it failed to win, the band breaking up after a further two outstanding albums is somehow fitting. It is named after a notorious Glaswegian flophouse.
December 3, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Easily their best album — good choice to highlight.