Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
The Strap's first album continues the initial splash made by the quirky groove of "The First Big Weekend," which is included here with thirteen other songs. Moffat's technique of undersinging/speaking his lyrics at points, combined with the lack of a lyric sheet, does mean that his vaunted dissections of modern relationships aren't necessarily as prominent as the group's most rabid fans would have. They're understandable more often than not, but work better almost as the niggling voice of one's conscience rather than as a prominent lead (though his take on "General Plea to a Girlfriend" is blackly hilarious, words and delivery both). Instead, it's Middleton's arrangements and performances, assisted by other musician friends along the way, which shape the album's balance between late-night rumination and cryptically aggressive power. The overall production brings out a lot of both space and drum punch -- Steve Albini fans, especially those who appreciate his work with Slint, will likely enjoy the results here. "The Clearing," wisely released as a single, is a fantastic combination of everyone's efforts. Moffat's vocals are distorted but still quite clear, his subject matter as dour as legend has it, while a massive drum beat rumbles up from the depths behind a gentle combination of guitar, cello, and particularly lovely piano courtesy of Chris Geddes. Another track where Moffat's performance takes center stage is "The Smell of Outdoor Cooking," perhaps the most existential depiction of an evening barbecue ever, with a slightly queasy organ as the main instrument as drums relentlessly build. "I Work in a Saloon" is a quieter number in comparison to the restrained strength at play elsewhere, soft, crackling drum machines tracks and acoustic guitar supporting Moffat's ponderings. Other flecks of the folk roots of the group crop up on songs like "Little Girls," while "Deeper" concludes Week on a lengthy, low-key note.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $17.49/month
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Paul Savage, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Mike Robinson, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Mike Robinson, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Mike Robinson, Producer, MixingEngineer - Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist - Andrew Rogers, Producer, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist - Andrew Rogers, Producer, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist - Andrew Rogers, Producer, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist - Andrew Rogers, Producer, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist - Andrew Rogers, Producer, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist - Andrew Rogers, Producer, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist - Andrew Rogers, Producer, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist - Andrew Rogers, Producer, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist - Andrew Rogers, Producer, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Arab Strap, Composer, MainArtist - Andrew Rogers, Producer, MixingEngineer
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Album review
The Strap's first album continues the initial splash made by the quirky groove of "The First Big Weekend," which is included here with thirteen other songs. Moffat's technique of undersinging/speaking his lyrics at points, combined with the lack of a lyric sheet, does mean that his vaunted dissections of modern relationships aren't necessarily as prominent as the group's most rabid fans would have. They're understandable more often than not, but work better almost as the niggling voice of one's conscience rather than as a prominent lead (though his take on "General Plea to a Girlfriend" is blackly hilarious, words and delivery both). Instead, it's Middleton's arrangements and performances, assisted by other musician friends along the way, which shape the album's balance between late-night rumination and cryptically aggressive power. The overall production brings out a lot of both space and drum punch -- Steve Albini fans, especially those who appreciate his work with Slint, will likely enjoy the results here. "The Clearing," wisely released as a single, is a fantastic combination of everyone's efforts. Moffat's vocals are distorted but still quite clear, his subject matter as dour as legend has it, while a massive drum beat rumbles up from the depths behind a gentle combination of guitar, cello, and particularly lovely piano courtesy of Chris Geddes. Another track where Moffat's performance takes center stage is "The Smell of Outdoor Cooking," perhaps the most existential depiction of an evening barbecue ever, with a slightly queasy organ as the main instrument as drums relentlessly build. "I Work in a Saloon" is a quieter number in comparison to the restrained strength at play elsewhere, soft, crackling drum machines tracks and acoustic guitar supporting Moffat's ponderings. Other flecks of the folk roots of the group crop up on songs like "Little Girls," while "Deeper" concludes Week on a lengthy, low-key note.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 27 track(s)
- Total length: 01:31:47
- Main artists: Arab Strap
- Composer: Arab Strap
- Label: Chemikal Underground Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
2010 Chemikal Underground Records 2010 Chemikal Underground Records
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.