Orange Juice

Partially responsible for the existence of Franz Ferdinand, Belle & Sebastian and Creation Records, Orange Juice are one of the most important bands in Scottish history. Led by the criminally underrated songwriter Edwyn Collins (who is currently recovering from a cerebral haemorrhage), this gang of romantic Scotsmen helped ignite a pop movement against the seething punk scene in the late ’70s. Signed to the influential Postcard label, Orange Juice were craftsmen of the poetic pop song that you could dance to (see also Josef K). The Glasgow School is a long overdue collection of the band’s first four singles and tracks recorded for their planned debut album, Ostrich Churchyard, which was ditched when the left Postcard for Polydor (but eventually issued in 1992). It’s hard not to drool over their 1980 debut single "Falling and Laughing,” which reeks of so much hip relevance it’s as effective as a smelling salt; second single "Blue Boy” is even more potent, with a better production quality and a rhythmic kick to die for. But it’s the inclusion of Ostrich Churchyard that makes this record too good to pass up. Representing a certain era that never seems to get its deserved respect, this album is a long lost gem that unabashedly portrays love as the drug while tapping into ’60s pop heroes like the Beatles and the Velvet Underground. The Glasgow School is a brilliant reminder of Collins’ pop genius and most importantly, that Orange Juice were there first.