Peloton

Peloton, from Glasgow's prodigal Delgados, is an eclectic offering that travels beyond the sphere of pop. This dynamic album manifests itself as a layered exploration of different pop genres, fluctuating unpredictably — but with precision and a masterful discipline — from one end of the pop spectrum to the next. Peloton exposes you to intense sessions filled with heaping doses of electronic distortion, record scratching, and blistering guitar solos that transcend the futuro-folk lyrics in the tradition of Pavement or even F**k. The Malkmus-ian style of Stewart Henderson's voice and Emma Pollock's meditative vocals ring with bliss. The integration of the flute and other orchestral instruments conjure up a strong Celtic passion that almost seems slightly out of place, but only for a second.

Despite the powerful, but random charges that spontaneously occur throughout the sonic festival of Peloton, it's a mature, premeditated album that will turn many ears in the direction of the Delgados. Songs to highlight while listening include "Everything Goes Around the Water," "Actress," and "Blackpool." Peloton is one of the best albums of 1999.