SCOTTISH group the Xcerts has returned with one of the year's most exciting guitar records - but singer Murray MacLeod reckons they're a pop band at heart.

The Aberdeen trio have recently released their third album, There Is Only You, an album brimming with huge rock tunes and earworm melodies.

It's a record that should earn one of Scotland's best kept musical secrets more recognition, and Murray has no problem if people declare it to be pop.

"I take a lot of pride in saying we're a pop band and one of the main goals was to put emotion and heart back into guitar pop," says the singer, who'll bring the band to Oran Mor on December 6.

"There's a lot of rock bands who stress they're rock bands or that they are from a punk background, but they sound like One Direction. That's fine, but just admit you're a pop band."

The singer admits he's a big fan of several current chart acts, but feels that guitar groups could do with possessing a bit more excitement.

"Pop's in a great place with the likes of Lorde and Lady Gaga," he adds.

"People want more interesting music in pop rather than it being dumbed down.

"For me it's just that there are not enough guitar bands writing with fire in their bellies.

"We don't have the time on our tour to do Gaga style costumes changes though."

That's probably for the best, but the Xcerts have long been known as an exciting live band, costume changes or not.

They've recently been opening for another group of guitar-slingers, Twin Atlantic, and had to postpone their own Oran Mor gig until next month to fit in a European tour with the Heart & Soul hit-makers.

"We've been friends with them since we were 18 and toured with them before we made our first record," says Murray.

"What they've done is incredible, and they've done a lot for Scottish rock music, more than they get given credit for."

There Is Only You comes four years after the band's second album, Scatterbrain.

Although some of the band's alt rock inspirations are clear, Murray's song writing style takes notes from less obvious acts, too.

"We wanted to make a romantic rock record, in the way that when the Smashing Pumpkins go heavy it's still beautiful," he says.

Murray broke up with his long-term girlfriend while making the album, so there's an element of sadness to the lyrics.

"I've always been drawn to melancholy lyrics and a bit of misery," he adds.

"It's just the way it worked out this time, we're not always downbeat."

A happier occasion will be their Oran Mor show. It's the second visit to Glasgow, after they tested new songs at Nice N' Sleazy over the summer.

"We feel at home in Glasgow. Even though we're from Aberdeen we've always been welcomed there."

l The Xcerts, Oran Mor, December 6, £8.50, 7pm