Texas White On Blonde

Unexpectedly, Texas became a popular sensation prior to the release of White on Blonde when Chris Evans made the soulful single "Say What You Want" the de facto theme song on his morning program on Radio 1. On the strength of his support, Texas was catapulted to previously unthinkable success, and the majority of the fans who thought the number one single was fine shouldn't have been disappointed with the full-length album. A combination of roots-rock and soul, White on Blonde occasionally has more style than substance, but Sharleen Spiteri's gorgeous vocals and the band's professionalism make the record a charming, ingratiating listen.

Texas release their new album, Hi, featuring 14 new tracks including new single ‘Mr Haze’. Sharleen Spiteri and bass guitarist Johnny McElhone found some outtakes from the original ‘White on Blonde’ sessions that they forgot existed. Initially they thought these undiscovered gems could be released as a ‘lost’ album but listening to the tracks inspired them to write some really strong new material.

Taking their name from the Wim Wenders film Paris, Texas, the Scottish pop/rock band Texas recorded a series of multi-million-selling albums (Southside, White on Blonde, The Hush), as well as many hit singles including "Say What You Want," "In Our Lifetime," and "Summer Son."

Texas always seemed out of place, from the moment they released their debut until the time they hit the big time with White on Blonde in the second half of the '90s. They may have been able to gain momentum from Britpop, but they didn't really belong, since their sensibility was far too soulful and classy, borrowing equally from the smooth soul of the '70s, Americana fascinations, and, in a roundabout way, the sophisti-pop of the '80s. Still, they were professional, stylish, and, thanks to Sharleen Spiteri, sexy, which meant they did make sense in the aftermath of Britpop, even if they were a bit out of step. As the splendid Greatest Hits proves, they could even have made it into the American mainstream if they had received a push on adult alternative pop/rock radio, since they were melodic, classy, and solid.