The Delgados

Some bands are born to linger in the underground, drawing sizeable crowds only in major cities. Such is the case of Scotland’s highly revered Delgados. Although they’ve logged countless kudos from previous releases, it’d be fair to say the Delgados have always hidden themselves in the background. However, they finally have hit their stride on their latest and fifth release. Universal Audio is their first real “pop” album, and it should appeal to fans of early Kinks and modern groups like Elastica, Bis, Belly and Spoon. Emma Pollock’s vocal schemes on “I Fought the Angels,” the opening track, and “Everybody Come Down” are as witty as any written by Tanya Donnelly or even Karen Carpenter, yet Pollock’s name will never be whispered in the same breath. Too bad. Log another triumph for the Scottish.