Teenage Fanclub: Man-Made

(Herald rating: * * *)

In their 15-plus years Scotland's Teenage Fanclub, while well regarded for their understated power-pop approach, have never once risked becoming fashionable.

They had some brief flashes of spotlight in the early to mid-90s but after their 2003 greatest non-hits collection, they might as well have called it a day.

But they're back on their own label and seemingly revitalised. Though they do seem to have turned it down a bit in the guitar department.

And that only makes their long-term debt to the likes of the Byrds more pronounced on this cosy bunch of songs. The dozen tracks are a democratic four each from the frontline of Norman Blake, Raymond McGinley and Gerard Love.

Much of Man-Made makes a virtue of its jangle'n'harmony gentleness, especially on stand-out Saved with its West Coast influences heading into soul territory.

Elsewhere, the likes of Only With You could have helped REM's last album; the psychedelic Born Under a Good Sign is this album's own Eight Miles High; and Cells with its country twang offers a curiously tuneful ode to decomposition.

It's predictably light on surprises. But TFC's own fanclub should be pleased with them playing to their guitar-pop strengths. Best-before date postponed yet again.

Label: PeMa