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Persevere

by

The Proclaimers

 
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Avg: 4.0 (30 ratings)

This Scottish duo is far more than a two-hit wonder.

  • We Say...

    People sometimes assume the Proclaimers — Craig and Charlie Reid — only ever had two songs, "Letter from America" and "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," but this splendid fourth album comprehensively proves the lie of that. It was their first new recording in seven years, but confidently maintains the catchy melodies and relentless joi de vivre of the two brothers in full flight, in addition to a subtle yet unmistakable political undercurrent previously overlooked among their booming choruses. In particular, "Scotland's Story" is a telling take on Scottish nationalism, "Everybody's a Victim" savages the blame culture and "A Land Fit for Zeros" is an inventive dissection of Tony Blair's nanny-state mentality. Musically, they sound like genteel country rockers one minute and impassioned Scots roots rockers the next, effortlessly switching the mood from suave harmonies to blazing anthems with huge choruses. It's fun, but provocative too.

  • They Say...

    More than eight years after the Proclaimers had a surprise hit with "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," the Scottish duo released Persevere in 2001. The album's first single, "There's a Touch," has the same goofy charm of "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," as do other tracks on the album such as "Land Fit for Zeros." Casual fans of the group may have forgotten or never known of the group's political edge, but that edge is present on "Scotland's Story" and "Everybody's a Victim." While the album is not likely to achieve the kind of success of their previous work, there is enough interesting material in Persevere to prevent the Proclaimers from being placed in the "Where Are They Now?" file just yet.

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