Although you may not be aware of Joe McAlinden per se, you'll definitely have heard at least one of his songs if you've ever followed the Scottish indie scene over the last decade. From the much-loved BMX Bandits to the huge cult heroes and critically acclaimed Teenage Fanclub, Joe has been a pivotal part of the influential sounds that Scotland produced in the late 'nineties.
However, it was with his band Superstar that he really showed exactly what he was capable of. With a rich and diverse sound and beautiful arrangements, this was more than just your usual project driven by one person. Not content with simply writing heartfelt and involving songs (anyone who heard Superstar would attest to how emotive the songs were), Joe also introduced full orchestrations into the mix. This stemmed from his love and understanding of classical music; yet he also knew that combining it with his own music would lead to an immersive sound rarely heard at that time.
One of the songs that this mix of indie sensibility and classical awareness came together to perfection was on the sumptuous Two Of A Kind. With just a hint of The Carpenters in both the arrangement of the song and the vocal harmonies throughout, this really was a showcase for Joe’s song-writing skills. The three albums that Superstar released - Superstar, Palm Tree and Phat Dat - were testament to these growing writing skills. Songs such as Every Day I Fall Apart, with its sheer pop exuberance, and Someone’s Watching Over Me, which just builds and builds into an epic piano-led tune, as well as appearances on the influential Later With Jools Holland show, should have led to bigger things. Sadly, although an extremely loyal fan base arose, success never materialised, and Superstar disbanded.
However, this was simply another part of Joe’s journey. After laying low for a while and deciding upon his next step, he’s now back on the scene with not one but two projects. As well as his own solo project, which he is currently writing material for with a proposed album release early this year, he is also involved in NOM, with producer/hip-hop DJ/ friend Sace. Still with a hint of Superstar about them, but indelibly touched with a more gentle, almost reminiscing side, the new songs are just as beautiful and inspiring as the band were.
From the debut NOM album released last year, Open Door is exactly that – an open, beautiful song, with swaying samples, piano, and the gentlest of acoustic guitar, all combined with lush harmonies in the background.
From the quietest of openings, it just builds and builds, introducing strings to the mix to amazing effect. And not once is there a feeling that they're just put there to be in with the current trend for strings in songs - in fact, it could be said that this is a trademark sound that Joe, and now NOM, brings to the musical table. And when he starts singing, it's with a voice that has the power to make the hairs on the back of your neck rise. Not really sounding like anyone else, it fills and wraps around each song perfectly.
And this is the beautiful thing about Joe and his music. Whether it is with songs like Open Road, or other tracks from his impending debut release such as Make You Smile, each track feels like it was written as the only song Joe will ever write, and he puts his heart and soul into every one.
Although his previous band may not have tasted the success it should have, and caused him to disappear for a while, now may be the time at last for him to enjoy the acclaim he so thoroughly deserves. And for an artist as accomplished as Joe McAlinden, it's been a long time coming.
