It seems kind of strange to be getting nostalgic for the early ‘90s, but that’s the feeling that inevitably comes when listening to the latest from The Proclaimers, the Scottish folk-rock duo that hit big in the U.S. when “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” was picked up for the Benny & Joon soundtrack. Those who took the hint and dived into the band’s two albums found more earnest love songs, but also the occasional brisk protest number and a distinctly Presbyterian impatience with self-pitying nonsense, all of it presented in a context dominated by acoustic guitars, tambourines and tight harmonies. After a long hiatus, the boys are back and sound as good as ever; on Persevere, they’re supported by a full band, but otherwise sound pretty much like their old selves on folk-inflected rave-ups like “There’s a Touch” and bitter protest numbers like “A Land Fit for Zeros.” Recommended.
The Proclaimers
