Album of the Day

The Proclaimers are identical twins Craig and Charlie Reid, and the brothers' hometown in Scotland inspired the name of their second album, SUNSHINE ON LEITH. Sunny vibes pervade most of these stirring 13 songs, whose stripped-down pub rock is enlivened by Scottish folk influences. The track that shines brightest is surely "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" which, some five years after the album's 1988 release, became a No.3 U.S. hit thanks to its inclusion in the Benny & Joon soundtrack. But there's plenty more to enjoy beyond that well-known single, with fine originals like "I'm On My Way,"  "Oh Jean" and the title track joined by a pair of appealing covers (Steve Earle's "My Old Friend The Blues" and Roger Miller's "King Of The Road"). SUNSHINE ON LEITH was re-released last month on vinyl, and remains invigorating from beginning to end.