Even if their only record so far goes back to 1997 (one year after the guys got together), Edinburgh-based Splendid are no question one of the most interesting new bands to have come out of Scotland in recent times. Don't be surprised if this is the rain album of the month, as it is now that we got to hear it first.Their self-titled debut is a collection of ten, original "splendid" songs, penned by Alan Windram, carefully arranged by the guys themselves and recorded by the likes of Steve Butler and Charlie Irvine of Lies Damned Lies. Also, Steve’s keyboard remarkably guest stars in ‘Broken Heart’ and ‘She Knows’. If you happen to like Crowded House, Aztec Camera and the McCluskey Brothers of Bluebell fame, you won’t fail to enjoy tracks like ‘Broken Heart’ , as catchy a song as only talented songsters can write, or the radio-friendly ‘You’ll Go Far’, so easy to sing along. ‘Splendid’ is a perfect reminder of the good Scottish songwriting "of old", full of American dreams yet perfetcly comfortable with Beatles-like melodies and Calum-Malcolm-would-like-to-produce kind of music. It’s no wonder that Splenid have been called to support Catatonia, Fish, China Crisis, Carol Laula, Mutton Birds in their short but full career. Despite the lyrics seem at times to be too "young and just a bit naive" - to quote the band’s ‘Star’ - yet this forty-five minute long cd is well worth all of your attention, and so is Alan Windram’s voice - so pleasantly reminding of Roddy Frame’s.Given the quality of the songs, it is unfair that Splendid be still in search of a proper deal. Yet the album, professionally mastered as it is, it’s ready for a mass release, and for you to play it over and over. Splendid are Alan Windram (vocals/guitar), Stewart Veitch (Lead Guitar), Steve Watt (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals), Annmarie Walsh (Drums, Backing Vocals). Find them on the net at http://www.surf.to/splendid. And enjoy.