Olympic Swimmers – No Flags Will Fly

★★★

Album Review by Billy Hamilton | 07 Jun 2012

Album title: No Flags Will Fly

Artist: Olympic Swimmers

Label: Self-released

Release date: 4 June

2012’s probably not the smartest year for Olympic Swimmers to release their debut longplayer. Not only does a quick online scan for the Glasgow quintet return details of record breaking pool-paddlers like Michael Phelps or Rebecca Adlington, but it also reminds us just how pitiful we Scots are when it comes to delivering chlorine-covered silverware. Fortunately, what No Flags Will Fly does do is underline the song-writing prowess on offer north of the border.

An album awash with pastoral slowburners, the quietened acoustics of Apples and Pears and Rung Down The Curtain recall the melancholic spirit of My Latest Novel and ex-Delgado songstress Emma Pollock. Even when the band unleash, as they do on the cacophonous In the House, frontgirl Susie Liddell’s luscious intone steers them down a more measured and melodic avenue. It’s not quite gold medal stuff, but there’s enough potential here to suggest a podium finish.

Playing Madhatters, Inverness on 7 June; Òran Mór as part of West End Festival on 24 June and supporting The Unwinding Hours at King Tuts, Glasgow as part of Summer Nights on 23 July http://www.olympicswimmers.co.uk/