Never heard of Delays but stumbled across this album after a gushing review from someone whose opinion I value on Twitter. I gave it a spin on Spotify and it took less than 5 tracks to convince me I needed it in my life. Ordered at 4 pm Friday, and it arrived at 1 pm Saturday - kudos Juno!!!
Delays used to be Britpop band Corky but they reinvented themselves and tried to add distance to their former life but there is still a mid-90s feel to the album for me. There is definitely getting a healthy dollop of The La’s running through this LP which is very much a good thing.
It isn't just those Scouse heroes though, there is also a pinch of The Byrds on 'Hey Girl', a hint of Jeff Buckley on the string-laden ‘No Ending’ and singer Greg Gilbert’s falsetto puts me in mind of The Cocteau Twins.
There are some fabulous tracks on this album, none more than ‘Nearer Than Heaven’ which is, to me, an almost perfect slice of indie pop. I’m obsessed with it.
The singles 'Hey Girl' and 'Long Time Coming' are also excellent too and I'd go so far as to say there isn't a bad song on the whole record.
Originally released in 2004 the record was re-pressed this year at the request of keyboardist Aaron Gilbert in honour of his bandmate and brother Greg who sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2021. This is the indie exclusive, deluxe edition which comes on orange vinyl with a die-cut sleeve and art print.
If you fancy picking this beautifully packaged, immaculately pressed slice of indie pop goodness then it is available all over for around £24 on black vinyl with this deluxe version coming in at around £34.
Tracks To Try: 'Wanderlust', ‘Nearer Than Heaven’, 'Long Time Coming', 'Hey Girl', 'One Night Away'.