Twin Atlantic: Great Divide

Sea you, Jimmy: Biffy Jr are at it again.

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When they appeared in 2007, TA wore their Biffy Clyro-shaped heart so prominently that their long-term fuse could only blow all too soon. It hasn’t, and with a legion of fans now in tow, 2014 sees the Glasgow quartet stride out of Rockfield Studios with their third album, a 12-tracker that borrows from their boyhood heroes and hoovers up ideas from today’s finest rock and pop chart stars.

To his credit, Sam McTrusty’s rhotic brogue remains – the badge of honour many Scots groups display with pride – and he tops a slick production job from Gil Norton and Jacknife Lee. Norton’s expertise with the Foos and Jimmy Eat World illuminates I Am An Animal, Cell Mate and Hold On, while Lee brings the irrepressible bounce to tracks such as recent Top 20 single Heart And Soul.

The songs aren’t works of staggering compositional genius, or bursting with heartbreaking lyricism (although they do try on earnest opener The Ones That I Love). But as air-grabbing, alt.rock fun instilled with a charming honesty, there’s an ocean of possibility yet for these fine young fellows.

Jo Kendall

Jo is a journalist, podcaster, event host and music industry lecturer who joined Kerrang! in 1999 and then the dark side – Prog – a decade later as Deputy Editor. Jo's had tea with Robert Fripp, touched Ian Anderson's favourite flute (!) and asked Suzi Quatro what one wears under a leather catsuit. Jo is now Associate Editor of Prog, and a regular contributor to Classic Rock. She continues to spread the experimental and psychedelic music-based word amid unsuspecting students at BIMM Institute London and can be occasionally heard polluting the BBC Radio airwaves as a pop and rock pundit. Steven Wilson still owes her £3, which he borrowed to pay for parking before a King Crimson show in Aylesbury.