Ramshackle Beauty

Ramshackle Beauty, Daniel Wylie's debut solo album, is something of a revelation. After his amicable departure from Cosmic Rough Riders, a band he co-founded and fronted for four albums, it would have been understandable had he considered mining the same melodic, Byrds-like pop territory that earned kudos for his former band. To an extent that's what he does here, but this is very much a singer-songwriter's album, in a vein similar to some of the best stuff that's come out of the US in recent years, from Matthew Sweet through to Brendon Benson. To this formula, he adds some musical and lyrical tweeness that occasionally sounds like Teenage Fanclub writing lyrics for Belle & Sebastian.

Sometimes it gets a bit hippy-dippy (the childishly sweet "Michael the Butterfly", for example), but it's sung so earnestly that it's actually excusable (indeed, criticising it feels a bit like scolding a kitten for being too cute). Songs such as the sunny and upbeat "Make Love to the World" (all chiming guitars and optimism), the sweeping and glorious "Because I" and the catchy "Snow Pony" should please all those glass-is-half-full types out there. Those who prefer their music with a darker edge may find Ramshackle Beauty a bit too syrupy for their taste, but it's unlikely Wylie would mind too much. Judging by the evidence here, he'd probably just give them a hug. --Robert Burrow

Glasgow-born singer / songwriter Daniel Wylie releases his charming solo album ‘Ramshackle Beauty’ on Measured Records. The 14 tracks are the fruits of a year spent writing and recording after Daniel made an amicable departure from Cosmic Rough Riders, the band he co-founded and fronted on four albums. Showcasing Daniel’s uncanny ear for swooning guitars, classic melodies and sunny harmonies, the self-produced ‘Ramshackle Beauty’ is aptly titled. From sing-along opening track and forthcoming lead-off single ‘Make Love To The World’ to the wistful ‘Brighton Beach’ and playful ‘Chasing Rainbows’, this is a collection of lovingly crafted new songs.

Alan McGee has already been playing the track ‘Snow Pony’ on his Radio 1 ‘Death Disco’ show, and many Scottish papers have tipped Daniel as a name to watch. He will be on the road with a new backing band.

For me, making 'Ramshackle Beauty' was the next logical step to take on the road to wherever I'm going. It's a natural, unforced progression from the Cosmic Rough Riders album 'Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine'.

I'm a naturally optimistic person and I think I've carried that forward from the last record, but there's also a touch of realism about this one. Some of it is about the break up of relationships and lyrically it has more depth to it.

I spent a long time honing the lyrics on this album. I wanted to make sure they said exactly what I meant them to say. I'm aware that people don't always get the irony in my songs. There's often much more to the songs than a great tune.

I used the same approach to making 'Ramshackle Beauty' as I have done with every album so far.....give it your absolute best shot and when it comes to choosing what songs make the record, keep the quality control in order.

The hardest part then was choosing the songs to leave off the record. I had a lot of songs to choose from and it could easily have been a double or even a triple album. I feel that the songs on 'Ramshackle Beauty' are the best I've written so far.

The biggest difference with this record for me is that it's more contemporary. I've kind of dragged myself a little more up to date, but hopefully without sacrificing what was good about what I've done in the past. I don't think anyone who took pleasure from 'Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine' will have a problem loving 'Ramshackle Beauty'.

Thanks for reading and hopefully listening!

Daniel Wylie 2004

Singer / songwriter Daniel Wylie was born and brought up in Glasgow, Scotland. He spent time writing and performing in numerous local bands, before going solo and subsequently founding the group Cosmic Rough Riders. With Daniel at the helm, Cosmic Rough Riders released two albums, ‘Deliverance’ (1999) and ‘Panorama’ (2000), on their own label Raft. They attracted the interest of Alan McGee, who released two more albums, ‘Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine’ (2000) and ‘Pure Escapism’ (2001) on his Poptones label. ‘Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine’ had already achieved ‘silver’ status in the UK when Daniel decided it was time once more to go solo, and duly left the band on an amicable basis in 2002. Daniel spent most of 2002 & 2003 writing and recording in the studio, a natural habitat for such a prolific songwriter. The resultant recordings have evolved into a unique collection of beautifully crafted songs, featured on the forthcoming album ‘Ramshackle Beauty’.