Teenage Fanclub

Teenage Fanclub blossomed into a real band (not just a vehicle for Norm Blake) only after all the expectations of stardom in America faded. Geffen didn't even try to push Grand Prix on the MTV-fed masses, unlike the previous two records. And to usher in the band's new era, that of the underrated cult act, T.F. ditched Thirteen's churning fuzz for all-out craftsmanship. This was the group's most varied release to date, primarily because of Gerard Love and Raymond McGinley's growth as songwriters.

It's easy to knock this Scottish quartet's love for chiming guitars, dense retro-'60s chord
changes and Beach Boysish harmonies. Throughout their last three albums, they've been
the fuzzy pranksters of punk-pop, as prone to making musical blunders as they are to
making inspired music. But "Grand Prix" signals a huge leap of melodic faith for Teenage
Fanclub: They've toned down their sloppier edginess for 13 simply crafted, gorg... More >