Search - Scruffs :: Pop Manifesto

A brand new album from long-running power-pop band The Scruffs, Pop Manifesto is a refreshing batch of new material in that classic Big Star vein. The Scruffs got their start in the same fertile Memphis soil as Big Star back in '77, relocating to New York for a bit, then returning to Memphis - where The Scruffs became more of a sole proprietorship for leader Stephen Burns. He moved himself to Glasgow in '98 to record with members of Teenage Fanclub and Belle and Sebastian. Burns is back in the States these days (a Portland transplant) and gearing up to release Pop Manifesto, a stellar album recorded in Glasgow and mixed at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis. Pop Manifesto contains 14 melodic tunes, with stunning Spectoresque backing vocals. Jangly guitars, acoustic guitars and even BBC classical players make this the very best Scruffs' record ever. From the opening chords of "There's A Girl I Know", "Jihann" and the antiwar number "Don't You Go There", the band of Glaswegians with Burns is in top form.