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The Proclaimers are often lumped into that category critics like to call "one hit wonders." Granted, in the United States their breakthrough smash "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) blazed up the charts after appearing on the Benny and Joon soundtrack, but that doesn't mean the group gave up crafting their songs with integrity and using their bold vocal dueting to inspire fans. In fact, the group just released their follow-up to 1993's Hit The Highway with this year's Persevere on Nettwerk America.

The project and subsequent tour boasts honest-to-goodness hard work and thoughtfulness, although much of its been overshadowed by the group's past success. Evidence of that came in their opening set for the Barenaked Ladies in Chicago. The group got a mild response from casual fans to tracks like "Letters From America," their first UK single, and "Sweet Little Girls," the new disc's opening cut, but it was clearly their big hit that everyone was waiting for. But before they got to that track, they continued with some new material including "Slow Burner" and "How Many Times."

When the guys finally got to "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," the audience quickly rose to their feet and sang every word to the memorable track. Perhaps the group should have closed with that song in order to build the anticipation, because the band's last two tracks were virtually ignored by the crowd now anxious for the headlining group to take the stage. The group's current single "There's a Touch" followed, but received a bland stare from concertgoers, and although the song has been getting radio airplay, it's paled in comparison to their prior hit.

It's a shame that The Proclaimers may be forever pigeonholed in the aforementioned category, when in fact their new tunes deserve a chance to garner the same attention. Thankfully, the group seems like they'll Persevere with their sound and songs, not basing their entire existence on one piece of material, but performing as they see fit without the need for commercial attention.