THE Proclaimers were warming up again on 2001's Persevere after seven silent years but the fires are burning brightly on Born Innocent.
Recording with fellow Scot Edwyn Collins in his retro London studio, Craig and Charlie Reid have married the Spartan messianic roots of 1987 debut This Is The Story with the broader musical clout of their subsequent albums.
As the Reids rediscover their bulging-veined intensity on 13 no-nonsense tracks in 40 minutes, their duelling harmonies in those malted Scottish accents carry the impassioned vim of their Letter To America days.
The brothers' wit and wisdom bristle entertainingly as the vagaries of love are put to the sword or given a hug in the swell of punked-up country, skiffle, melancholic blues and old-fashioned rhythm & blues.
If Elvis were still in the building, he would rush to cover the likes of Unguarded Moments, No Witness and There's No Doubt in Las Vegas schmaltz.
Updated: 08:48 Thursday, September 25, 2003
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