Arab Strap – Ten Years of Tears
Arab Strap have left us with quite simply an essential compilation. When it comes down to it, is it ever worth owning a greatest hits album? Well, Arab Strap have put enough bsides, mixes and alternative versions of there songs to warrant a purchase for everyone. The album really gets off with “The First Big Weekend.” It is the tale of a weekend in the summer. It discusses indie discos, trains, insomnia, the Simpsons, and not remembering. Just have a read at a sample of the lyrics “I couldn’t sleep again that night, thanks to some seriously disturbing nightmares…Matthew says I should cut down on the cheese” so indescribably brilliant. Apparently, it is a true story of what happened to Adian one weekend. We get a live track from their first ever gig in “Gilded” a taste of a rare track in “I Saw You” which, was record for the bands first proper Peel Session. A bold rending of “Packs Of Three” and “Rocket, Take Your Turn” has a slightly dance beat behind the boys and it gives it a slightly odd and uncomfortable feeling throughout the song. “The Shy Retirer” the first single from “Monday at the Huge and Pint” and my first Arab Strap single. It features one of my favorite lyrics ever “You’re more than just a photo album, you’re more than what some people let you know and if we ever make it home, I’ll tell you all the things that shaped me thus.”
We are treated to the bside “The Girl I Loved Before I Fucked” again another testament of how well the bands songs were written. Aidan goes from wanting to be friends with an old love to wishing an STD on her. The album finishes off fittingly with “There Is No Ending” off “The Last Romance” is a fitting end for the band and no better way to go out. There is something here for everyone, the casual fan and the hardcore fan. If you have never heard of Arab Strap please buy a copy, you will not be the same after hearing the bands songs. I just wish I didn’t find out till almost the end. We will leave you with a lyric from “The Shy Retirer” “Look at us just stand and stare, look at them just pose and pout, and we’ll all be standing here until the pigs chuck us out.”
By John Siwicki
