So, Big Star were a pretty great band, right? If you were to answer yes to this question, Teenage Fanclub would most certainly agree. And they have displayed their affection with this beautiful power-pop record. TFC started out life as a group of scruffy teens playing ragged pop-grunge, but throughout their almost 20 year career, their sound has continuously matured. Shadows is no exception to this trajectory. Not likely to gain or lose many friends, but another strong addition to their discography and a delightful and rewarding listen. It would be easy to call this album a response to the recent, tragic death of Alex Chilton, but I think that’s more of a case of correlation and not causation. It’s difficult to not think of him while listening to Shadows—the album is bathed in his influence—but that goes for the bulk of TFC’s career. Whatever the case, it’s hard to believe that they waited five years since their last release and then ran into the studio and tossed off a quick tribute to the godfather of power-pop.

Whereas TFC have used their dense melodies and pervasive melancholy on many a world-weary tune in the past, Shadows maintains a sunny tone from start to finish, albeit a melancholic sunny tone (think The Zombies). Now, for those who demand pervasive melancholy this stuff is golden. I don't really know what it's like to not love that quality in music, but if you're the type turned off by the depressingness of Elliott Smith, this may not be for you. On the other hand, if you love his dense arrangement and beautiful melodies, TFC’s latest might be right up your alley.

Teenage Fanclub are lucky enough to have a triumvirate of remarkable songwriters, guitarist Norman Blake, bassist Gerard Love, and guitarist Raymond McGinley, each bringing their own style to the table. Love’s gorgeous “Sometimes I Don’t Need To Believe In Anything” opens up the record and sets the stage with its crystalline guitars, soft vocal melodies, insistent bass, and sharp drumming. The Byrds-esque “Baby Lee” comes next and marks the real high point of a record that never flags. "The Fall" wouldn't sound out of place on one of Jethro Tull's early, English-folk-infused records, although it also demonstrates what I would call the one major problem of this record: the drums are just a little too big and a little too high in the mix, occasionally overpowering the other elements of the music. The falling piano melody and sweet harmonies of “Dark Clouds” wouldn’t have sounded out of place on the mellow side of the pop charts in ‘65, ‘75, or ‘86. Following the mellow “The Past,” things really pick up with the aptly titled “Shock and Awe.” The folksy 12-string returns for “When I Still Have Thee.” The charming ballad “Sweet Days Waiting” and peppier “The Back of My Mind” carry you into the album closer, “Today Never Ends,” an easy-going charmer featuring some beautiful, bluesy, slide guitar.

I think my example of “Dark Clouds” illustrates one of the greatest triumphs of this record: timelessness. Some may chide them for lack of originality, but I’d say originality is often overrated. Over 20 years, TFC have found themselves gravitating to this sound and have crafted it in the image of their idols. These are tried and true formulas that have stood the test of time, as I believe this album will. This is not the sound of 2010, people. Blake, Love, and McGinley have risen above such silly artificial constructs and created a record that is sure to delight the people of 2045 as it would have the people of 1965 as it will the people of 2010.

Now, am I exaggerating? Undoubtedly, but hopefully you get my point. Teenage Fanclub have crafted a wonderful collection of timeless pop songs, built on the backs of giants. If you are a fan of any of the groups I’ve name-checked or any previous Teenage Fanclub records, I recommend you run out to your local music retailer and pick this one up, but , you know what? If you were to wait a couple months or years, it will sound just as vital and vivid and be just as deserving of your time. That’s the sign of truly great music, if you ask me.

Track List
1. Sometimes I Don't Need To Believe In Anything
2. Baby Lee
3. The Fall
4. Into The City
5. Dark Clouds
6. The Past
7. Shock And Awe
8. When I Still Have Thee
9. Live With The Seasons
10. Sweet Days Waiting
11. The Back Of My Mind
12. Today Never Ends