Calling Out To You - Ally Kerr

Ally Kerr - Calling Out To You

Despite beginning with the line “Grey skies and rainy days,” Calling Out To You, the debut album from Glaswegian Ally Kerr, has a very positive, summery air. This is basically an indie pop record, but an interesting one, with catchy melodies, nice guitar work and plenty of harmonies. Kerr’s lazy guitar and vocal stylings lend themselves well to the mellow feel of this album, one which is a perfect example of “one-man-and-his-guitar” music, with a full band behind it. Every song on the album would work well as a stripped down acoustic track, which you can get a taste of on his website with a few downloadable acoustic tracks from his Beat 106 sessions.

Although not particularly ‘Alternative’, I think that Kerr’s songwriting is good enough to merit a review here, with lyrics that make you smile, or make you think, that you can relate to. Someone’s Got a Crush On Me, for example, will bring a smile to the face of anyone who has, or has had a teenage crush on someone. And with the lyric “You said that I could try your Spectrum out for free,” there’s a bit of nostalgia thrown in as well.

Album highlights include the slightly melancholy I Feel Fine, the more upbeat All Alone Again, with its catchy melody and pleasant harmonies, and the more groovy, but still mellow Someone’s Got A Crush On Me. You’ll definitely find yourself singing these tunes hours later, even after just one listen.

Calling Out To You is a beautifully mellow mix of indie pop songs, each of which highlight Ally Kerr’s potential to become a superb songwriter, and along with albums from bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Dogs Die In Hot Cars, and Belle And Sebastian, the future is looking good for Scottish music. Obviously not an album for metalheads, I’d recommend it to anyone who likes fairly groovy, mellow acoustic music. Definitely worth a listen.

Calling Out To You has only been officially released in Japan, but is available to buy in all Scottish branches of Fopp for £10, and if you’re lucky, certain stores such Avalanche and Monorail may have some copies. Plans are being made to release it officially across the UK and Europe. It's available online from Ally's shop at Simbiotic.

Review by Cam-E.