This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
You have probably never heard of Bows. And likewise, maybe the name of leader Luke Sutherland doesn’t ring any bells.
But if you’re a fan of Scottish indie-rock and eclecto-pop, chances are you’re familiar with the bands Mogwai and Long Fin Killie. Well, Sutherland plays violin with the former and led the latter. And on his debut solo disc, he doesn’t stray too far from either. Marrying Long Fin’s eccentric trip-pop to Mogwai’s minimalist / maximalist swirl, Sutherland produces a baker’s dozen tracks that spin the dubby, narcotic drum ’n’ bass and throbbing low-end rumble of Massive Attack with the atmospheric space-rock of My Bloody Valentine and Mogwai — accompanied by rich strings, brass and airy female vocals that drift around like poltergeists. At first Blush, Bows deserves a standing ovation.
