Dinosaurs of indie scene ride again

This year’s longlist sees the strongest showing by “indie” in its broadest sense since the awards began. Some dinosaurs have returned in the Jesus and Mary Chain and some that never went away – Teenage Fanclub and Mogwai.

Others are well established artists of ten or more years and even one of the favourites Modern Studies have served their dues.

I suppose what you would hope for with a list like this is some new bands who have produced an outstanding first album reminding their elders of what it is to be young.

Sadly while there are several credible attempts there is nothing the old guard will lose sleep over.

Herein lies the dilemma. Give the award to the new artist that will benefit most from the exposure of winning or an older band who it will almost certainly make little difference to.

It has sometimes been felt the judges have gone for leftfield and quirky just to make a statement rather than pick the best album.

While folk and electronica are represented, none is fancied to bother the judges and it may well be Meursault that give Modern Studies a run for their money. They were unlucky to lose out to winner RM Hubbert in 2013 and many feel their time has come.

The longlist certainly has many of Scotland’s finest but this year’s award may well go to a slightly younger dinosaur! ● Kevin Buckle is owner of Avalanche Records