Interviews promoting the album... The Scotsman, 22 March 2002 The Independent, 5 April 2002 Guitarist magazine, April 2002 Various reviews of the album and single.... Review of the album by Q magazine: Review of the album by Amazon Contrary to popular belief, Can You Do Me Good? is not Del Amitri's only album since first unveiling their songwriting prowess on their debut Waking Hours, they've just been keeping a low profile. Quietly they've gone about their business, turning out four albums of dependably accomplished and unfashionable rock with a middle America twang. Their first studio album since 1997's Some Other Sucker's Parade, Can You Do Me Good? is another solid addition to the Del Amitri canon. Sticking resolutely to their earthy, no-frills values, it's hardly going to set the world alight, but with singer Justin Currie's cunning metaphors for love, drugs and self-loathing undiminished, it certainly shouldn't be underestimated. Mid-tempo country jaunts "Buttons on My Clothes" and "Baby It's Me" are by turns sweet and poignant, cementing their reputation as the Glaswegian Crowded House. But, like his melodies, Currie's lyrics are deceptive slow-burners with an inherent darkness. Although the brooding "Just Before You Leave" and cynical dissection of greed "Cash & Prizes" clearly aren't the sound of a happy man, they pale next to "Wash Her Away", which comes on like a lustful love song, and mutates into a troubled ode to addiction with every subsequent play. It's not alone, which is just as well, because heavy hearted introspection is what Del Amitri do best. --Dan Gennoe Review of the album by the Independent, 5 April 2002 Their first album of new material in five years finds Del Amitri slightly more au fait with the tricks and techniques of modern studio technology, but just as in thrall to the bittersweet tang of melancholy as ever. And it must be said that few bands play the loser's role with such equanimity: Can You Do Me Good? is littered with great songs about being dumped, coming to terms with career failure, being haunted by the memory of a departed lover, trying to escape your past, realising your best is behind you, and being "just a drunk in a band" – not all of which, one suspects, are purely fictional. They do it with great style, too. The single, "Just Before You Leave", offers a dazzling marriage of the classic Willie Mitchell rhythm'n'strings soul arrangement with the one-note organ part of Timmy Thomas's "Why Can't We Live Together", while the manic mood-sweeps of "One More Last Hurrah" are skilfully evoked by the combination of sleek surface harmonies and bristling undertow of electronic noise. The essential emptiness of success is well nailed in "Cash & Prizes" ("I've got cash and prizes, more than a man could dream/ But I don't know who I am"), although the perceived shortfall in spirituality is considered to be just as damaging, according to the bitterly sardonic "Jesus Saves", in which a list of those saved is capped by "Jesus saves, saves you from thinking, just believe". Sweet and sour in the same breath, Can You Do Me Good? is further testament to the musical benefits of mixing alcohol and melancholy. -- Andy Gill. Review of the album by Guitarist Magazine: March 2002 4.5/5 stars - by Neville Marten It's been a while since these Scottish purveyors of fine guitar pop released an album. Often denigraded as sub-Crowded House/Roachford, the band, fronted by Justin Currie (bass/vocals/guitar) and Iain Harvie (guitars) have a list of excellent hits to their credit that ably challenge that erroneous view. There's plenty of electric and acoustic guitar here and, as ever, Currie's astute and wordly lyrics pervade the album. But different producers have brought new beats and sounds to some of his songs. While Buttons On My Clothes, Out Falls The Past, She's Passing This Way, Jesus Saves, Just Getting By and Wash Her Away are classic Del Amitri, there's a new edge here which some will love and others not. I adore it. Review of the album by The Scotsman, 5 April Given Justin Currie’s habit for harsh evaluation of his back catalogue once he has reached a safe distance, one wonders what he will be saying about this, Del Amitri’s first albumn since 1997’s Some Other Sucker’s Parade, in a few year’s time. Chances are he will look back fondly because it is Del Amitri’s “what we did on our holidays” album, full of relaxed recollections of drunken irresponsible behaviour (‘Buttons on My Clothes’ and the literal ‘Drunk in a Band’), girl trouble (‘Out Falls the Past’) and the kind of idle philosophising one indulges in when there are too many hours in the day. They should take time off more often, because not only has the break reinvigorated them musically, it has also produced their best single in an age, the silky ‘Just Before You Leave’. [three stars] Review of the album by UNCUT magazine, 1.5stars (out of 5) First sighting in four years of melodic Scottish soft rockers. The last we heard from Del Amitri was just before the 1998 World Cup when they performed the Scottish team's official theme song, "Don't Come Home Too Soon". As another World Cup rolls around, Scotland have scraped into the finals once more, but Del Amitri are struggling to find the form that once filled stadiums. Can You Do Me Good? is a collection of decent songs, and "Baby It's Me" and "Last Cheap Shot At The Dream" hint at former glories. What they lack, though, is a match-winner. The craft and skill are present but the fire and passion are not. It's as if they've settled for mid-table safety, knowing they're no longer going to make the Champions League. -- Nigel Williamson Review of the single by Dotmusic Firstly, the cover of this single is ace. Just look at that lovely manky upholstery and strip wooden flooring. That's the Northern Line before they f**ked it up with fluorescent lighting and primary colours that is. Ah, magic. So, the music. Well it's - deep breath here - not bad at all. Roundly summed-up as "Del Amitri in soul shocker" with Lauryn Hill producer Commissioner Gordon behind the desk, 'Just Before You Leave' is heavily reminiscent of Timmy Thomas' enduring soul masterpiece 'Why Can't We Live Together'. The theme is decidedly middle-aged but we can't have it all our own way. Look out for the video - it's almost as ace as the sleeve. -- James Poletti