Malcolm
Middleton
A Brighter Beat
****
After
spending the best part of a decade with Aidan Moffat in Falkirk’s
finest export, Arab Strap, Malcolm Middleton stepped out of the
Strap’s shadow with his excellent, critically-acclaimed
second album, Into the Woods, in 2005. Displaying an impressive
work rate, Middleton returns with his third solo effort just 18
months or so later.
Any fears
of a rush job are allayed from the word go, as the album opens
with the strong one-two of the energetic ‘We’re All
Going To Die’, and the dark pop of ‘Fight Like The
Night’, one of Middleton’s best songs yet, contrasting
his dead-pan delivery with charming female vocals. Lead single
‘A Brighter Beat’ follows, all stomping drums and
strung-out guitars.
‘Death
Love Depression Love Death’ is one of the most aggressive
songs on the album, opening with a muted, acoustic intro before
bursting into life through frenzied guitars, commanding bass and
pounding percussion. A Brighter Beat is full of twists and turns
that keep the listener guessing, so it makes a perverse sort of
sense that ‘Death Love Depression Love Death’ is followed
by the chirpy ‘Fuck It, I Love You’.
Continuing
in the album’s strong vein, the stripped-down ‘Somebody
Loves You’ is a bluesy, acoustic number with Middleton in
wistful mood, reeling off a series of pretty, evocative lyrics
over delicate, plucked guitar.
The only song
that bites off a little more than it can chew is the seven-minute
album closer, ‘Superhero Songwriters’, which is too
brassy and grandiose. But thankfully, it doesn’t detract
too much from an outstanding collection of heart-felt songs from
a witty, sincere singer-songwriter.
Happily, like
his ex-colleague Moffat, Middleton combines a sharp turn in everyday
lyrical observations with the soul of a particularly battered
and bruised romantic, so anyone familiar with his previous band
will be comfortable here. The gloomy lyrics are neatly set against
upbeat, sweeping melodies, making A Brighter Beat a more accessible
and instant affair than Into the Woods.
A Brighter
Beat is a subtle evolution from Malcolm Middleton’s previous
solo record, and as its title suggests, finds the Scotsman just
starting to shed the gloom for a new cautious optimism. Hopefully
his next album will come just as quickly.
By
Tom Blackburn
Interview
with Malcolm Middleton
