Reindeer Section: Son of Evil Reindeer : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Scottish indie-rock supergroup The Reindeer Section serve up pathos and orchestral pop that will leave you weeping in your Glenlivet. Assembled by Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, the Section consists of twenty-seven members of just about any newish Scottish rock band you can name (including Belle and Sebastian, Arab Strap, Teenage Fanclub, Mogwai, the Vaselines, Idlewild and Astrid). Most of the collaborators turn up only as backup vocalists or orchestra members, enabling Lightbody's heartbreaking ballads and sublime baritone to soar. His near-exact Nick Drake mien on the enchanting "Where I Fall" and "Budapest" are Volkswagen-commercial-worthy; less-sensitive up-tempo tracks "Cartwheels" and "You Are My Joy" allow you time to catch up to your breath. Don't sleep on the band's equally majestic 2001 debut.

ANDY GENSLER
(RS 905 - Sept. 19, 2002)