The band was formed initially in 2001 by James Igoe and Nelson Wright , who had both been in the Edinburgh band Scatter. The duo added the vocals of Fiona Thom to record the Braveheart Beggar EP, produced by Jamie Burgess.A slew of brilliant gigs (well OK, some were a bit shambolic) followed. Then the critically acclaimed "New PC" EP. And some more gigs and stuff.Having had a few membership changes, the five-piece are currently working on new material, and are looking to play and record more in the future.
Reviews:
The Daily Record - 13 January 2006
Barry Gordon
CAUGHT LIVE: FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON, BANNERMANS, EDINBURGH, JAN 8 3/5
WHAT kind of name is Flowers For Algernon anyway? Sounds like the title of some Enid Blyton story.
It also gives you the impression of a band who bring poetry books and flasks of tea to rehearsals. But even if they don't, they are still one of the best folk-influenced pop bands in Edinburgh, if not all of Scotland.
Imagine Aberfeldy jamming songs by The Smiths, or Morrissey singing songs by Belle & Sebastian. The themes in their music - people who favour their computer more than their friends, those who have extra marital affairs, a mild hatred for public transport - are just as interesting, if only for the lyrics.
They make you want to dance, they make you want to stop and listen, they make you think.
Even if they were called Weeds For Arathorn you would still enjoy this Edinburgh sextet.
The Daily Record - 16 September 2005
Rick Fulton:
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON New PC IF Morrissey decides to change musical tack and try some hotel lounge lizard work, he could very well sound like Flowers For Algernon.
A curious cross of folk and The Smiths, their New PC ep is clever without being smug and is soft but with driving rhythms.
New PC is a wonderful story of someone spending too much time on a new computer with lyrics: "Do you want to be someone/and live in this world?/does your shiny new PC/take the place of your friends/and a girl who used to play football/used to place darts", before it adds: "do you need a restart?"
Second song Optimism has singer James Igoe in best old crooner mode with soaring melodies Belle & Sebastian-style.
Bus Stop is rockier almost like The Cramps - but with a violin. And final song Weekend Woman adds a blues vibe. This certainly shows enough promise for them to be signed up
