The Case For: Teenage Fanclub's Best Single
- by Dan Clay Release Date: Label:

Glasgow's finest band come with enough West Coast harmonies to belie their harsher Scottish roots. Picking one track from each of their albums through the years we aim to arrive at their ultimate melodic gem.
A Catholic Education (1990) The young band's debut fizzes with fuzzy guitar and low-fi grunge and
certainly shows the group in full flow. A live favourite even now.Bandwagonesque (1991) The group's second album kept the distorted guitar but introduced a softer sound and more melodies. Lead single
is a perfect example.Thirteen (1993) The band's most misunderstood album which bridges the gap between their earlier grunge and latter melodic strum features enough dark material to keep Philip Pullman happy while being crowd-pleasingly sing-a-long. Listen to their
and see why.Grand Prix (1995) An absolute masterpiece, the band's fourth album proper features 12 songs which rank alongside their best. But for sheer melody, craftsmanship and pleasure
is simply put one of the best three minutes guitars were made for.Songs for Northern Britain (1997) The fact their follow up album is nearly as good (and loved by Nick Hornby most) speaks volumes about what the 'Fannies' can do when on form. Forget British weather can be so dispiriting, listen to
and blow away those cloudy days.Howdy (2000) After two career-defining albums Howdy was slowly received by fans and critics. A shame because it's packed with just as many gems, nicely polished and features the delightful
among others.Man-Made (2005) Five years in the making Man-Made showed that while the band's output and style may have slowed (no one gets any younger), their grip on poppy, melodic tunes was as strong as ever. Surprisingly good live,
will certainly stick there.Shadows (2010) After another needlessly long five year break the band returned this year with a softer, warmer sound and in
one of their most enjoyably tuneful songs to date.Top 3 Finalists
1. 'Baby Lee'
2. 'Sparky's Dream'
3. 'Ain't That Enough'
And the winner is…..without doubt the sublimely gorgeous declaration of love 'SPARKY'S DREAM'.





