Dive In delivers a spritely start to Side Two of Brankholm Brae, the stunning debut album from TwinsTown.
The song was created when Donald Mackay was jamming with Ben Sharp and Ben’s two friends. Ben had devised the chords but had to leave. Donald offered to write a song with Ben’s chords. When Ben returned Dive In was almost done and dusted.
It’s funny how the best songs can take the shortest time, like Phil Oakey of the Human League and Giorgio Moroder writing Together in Electric Dreams in just 10 minutes. Later, Oakey complained, albeit tongue in cheek, that Human League songs taking weeks or months enjoyed less chart success.
I first heard Dive In via Facebook Live. It was an impromptu performance in Harry’s back garden, and I loved the hook, “…plenty more fish in the sea,” which was added by Stuart Mackay to fully complete Donald’s earlier work with Ben’s chords. Teamwork!
Dive in into my mind to find some new people
TwinsTown, Dive In
Leaving my past behind because I don’t need another sequel
Dive in for me I’m a shark in the water
There’s plenty more fish in the sea
Side One ends with the optimism of Big Heart and Dive In opens Side Two with a similar look at the upside of love and romance.
Musically, the song is tight. It pushes along at pace, a steady, unrelenting pace all the way to the bridge, before climaxing with guitar, keys and drums finally breaking out. It’s both conventional and satisfying. It’s TwinsTown plays pop.
TwinsTown Talk
In recent weeks WhatsApp messages have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, however, here is the veritable Billy George on WhatsApp.
“You know what lads. I genuinely think this album [Brankholm Brae] is the best I’ve heard in many a year. I’m not saying this lightly. I’d like to congratulate each and every one of you. I’ve listened to it 3 times in a row with headphones on and it’s just an unrelenting work of joy. ❤️❤️”
“It’s got a bit of everything. Sacks full of melody, great lyrics, beautiful harmonies, awesome beats, booming bass, jazzy keyboards and walls and walls of guitar genius.”
Billy George, writing on WhatsApp
Lo Siento
Is Lo Siento a love song? I don’t know. I don’t speak Spanish.
What I do know is that Lo Siento captures what it’s like to be a twentysomething on a Mediterranean holiday.
Actually, as I write this I have Top of the Pops on in the background, an episode from 1990, and Betty Boo is singing Where are you Baby? It takes me back…
I see Elton John was at no.11 that week with Sacrifice… and that’s me… back in TwinsTown. Please step away from the piano, Donald.
Lo Siento is an unassuming wee number hiding a dark heart about the perils of boys abroad and holiday encounters from the romantic to the, well, not so romantic.
I hate those ‘Brits Abroad’ type shows but this is more Britpop abroad, a very British coming-of-age tale; shedding school days angst for sexy señoritas and braggadocios.
Musically, it’s less Walk on the Wild Side with Lou Reed and more Wild World with Cat Stevens. There’s a wee hint of Spanish guitar and a flamenco feel as the song flirts with the mellow sounds of the seventies.
At a first listen, I thought, this has ‘album track’ written all over it, and that may be, however after several listens it becomes as interesting musically as it is lyrically. There’s much more going on here than you first imagine.
In conclusion, I’m not sure how the twins even got to Spain… Stuart only scoring a 7 in Geography!
Coming soon…
Brankholm Brae, el impresionante álbum debut de TwinsTown, saldrá este año.
Mire este espacio para más detalles.
¡Quedarse vivo!
Wrath of the Rum
Jackie Milburn was Newcastle United’s first iconic number 9. TwinsTown’s first iconic number 9. is, appropriately, Wrath of the Rum. For the young ‘uns who don’t know of Wor Jackie, think Alan Shearer. For Pars fans we have Charlie Dickson and John Watson.
Yes, Wrath of the Rum is THE iconic centre-forward of TwinsTown songs. Track 9. on Brankholm Brae is scattering defenders and scoring sonic goals for fun.
Some might say too much fun. Not me. I love it.
It’s the good and the bad
TwinsTown, Wrath of the Rum
I feel cheap and I’m sad
And the ugly
I’m a creep and I’m mad
They’re all part of me
What a weekend we had
On OVD
It starts with arguably the greatest ever TwinsTown pop reference, it’s my favourite film starring Lee Van Cleef (Clint Eastwood was in it too), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Yabba dabba doo! Yes, it’s even better than the opening on Last Romance featuring The Flintstones.
When the chorus kicks in you kinda know it’s the wild wild west of Fife, not Tombstone, Arizona, but who’d have guessed Wellwood!?
Well well Wellwood
TwinsTown, Wrath of the Rum
You think I’m misunderstood
Don’t you ever say no
Now I’m pished and I’m rude
To the devil you know
I threw my fist I felt good
On OVD
Someone told me that, alongside pop accessibility and ironic posturing, indie rock is supposed to be authentic. Well, we have Johnny Depp for the ironic posturing and Dive In for pop accessibility. Wrath of the Rum is authentic.
It’s the wrath of the Rum
TwinsTown, Wrath of the Rum
I just rattled someone
Got me under his thumb
But the battle ain’t won
He’s the Devil in me
Feel the wrath of my rum
My OVD
Of course, for legal reasons, we have to point out that this is purely a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events and incidents are the products of the authors’ imaginations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Oaft, glad I remembered to say that. What’s that you’re saying about law suits from Sergio Leone and Fred Flintstone?
As you can see above, we’re only at the midpoint of Side Two on Brankholm Brae. We may have peaked too soon.
What more drama can TwinsTown’s stunning debut album offer up?
Coming soon…
Brankholm Brae, the stunning debut album from TwinsTown, offering drama all the way to the final whistle. No leaving early to beat the rush. Traipse out slowly to the Bluebell Polka with the rest of us.
Actually, a Trainspotting ending to this wee preview is probably better.
“Right, that boy got rattled, and no cunt leaves ’til I find oot whit cunt did it…”
Quick Donald, run for it!
TwinsTown’s stunning debut album Brankholm Brae is available to pre-order – link to Bandcamp
Early Bird Offer
Produced by Robin Wynn Evans, whose credits include Manic Street Preachers and The View, Brankholm Brae in pristine limited edition white vinyl is available to pre-order now for the early bird price of only £20. Released on Christmas Eve the full price will be £25.
Click here to buy Brankholm Brae on Bandcamp.
Thank you!
And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for, the exciting story of making the debut album continues…
Brankholm Brae Photo Story
EPISODE FOUR
Don’t Lose Your Head Again
The Brankholm Brae Artists
“We’re about writing songs, and if we don’t sing them, who will?”
Donald Mackay, A State of Mind podcast
The Brankholm Brae Song Lyrics
WELCOME TO MY WORLD
Welcome to My World
Intro
Look at all the faces, look at all the faces
Look at all the places, all the placesVerse 1
Welcome to my world, it would be nice to get to know you,
It would be nice to get to know me!!!
For every smile from them that’s so true
There’s a side to them you don’t see
Knowing me it’ll be something I’ve said
I’d take it back but it was all in my head
I guess I should face the vital fact
That boy ain’t ever coming back!!!Chorus
I think”ll be quite alright if I pass them and they don’t smile
I think il be quite alright if I pass them and they don’t smile
If they don’t look me in the eyesInstrumental
Look at all the faces, look at all the faces
Look at all the places,Verse 2
Welcome to my world, I think I’m okay man i must be feeling brave
I just got the shakes like someone stood on my grave
I must of deserved it !!!
nobody’s perfect !!
There’s a table in hell
And I just reserved it !!!
I spy with my little eyes something beginning with lies
I spy with my little eyes something beginning with liesChorus
I think I’ll be quite alright if I pass them and they don’t smile
I think I’ll be quite alright if I pass them and they don’t smile
If they don’t look me in the eyesSolo
YEAH LOOK ME IN THE EYES!
Chorus
Breakdown
WELCOME TO MY WORLD !!!
The end
Music and lyrics by Stuart and Donald Mackay
Get Set, Joe 