Southside

Released in 1989, Southside marks the debut of Texas and serves as a foundational text for their career-long exploration of soulful pop-rock. While the band would later pivot toward a more radio-friendly, Motown-inspired sound in the late 90s, Southside is notably more rooted in blues and Americana. The album was heavily influenced by Ry Cooder's soundtrack work, specifically 'Paris, Texas', which gave the band its name. This influence is most apparent in the prominent use of slide guitar, which provides a haunting, widescreen texture to the songs. Recorded at a time when the UK music scene was shifting toward Madchester and rave, Southside stood out for its traditionalist focus on songwriting and musicianship. It was a commercial success, particularly in Europe, propelled by the hit single 'I Don't Want a Lover'. Critics often highlight the album for its cohesive atmosphere and the immediate arrival of Sharleen Spiteri as a major vocal talent, possessing a maturity that belied her age at the time of recording.