CD reviews: Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert, Arctic Monkeys, Giant Haystacks, Adam Stafford, Sweeney Straddles The Sun, Modern Studies
Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
Alex Turner and pals didn't become the last guitar band to really matter without taking some risks along the way '“ so why not follow up rock god opus AM with a cosmic crooner collection? Composed entirely on piano by the frontman, it's easy to imagine him as John Lennon wafting through his deserted mansion in the Imagine video. Turner anticipates the criticism with the album's opening line 'I just wanted to be one of The Strokes, now look at the mess you made me make,' as the other Monkeys provide a cocktail of melodramatic piano, acid funk guitar and baroque synth arpeggios straight off the Barbarella soundtrack. Coming from one of the world's most muscular rock bands, it is both an act of ridiculous indulgence and a stroke of genius. (FS) ****
Giant Haystacks - This Is All There Is
There's a decidedly punk rock feel to this compilation from defunct Californian trio Giant Haystacks. There's also an alien (to the locals) burr from ex-pat Scots singer Allan McNaughton, adding to the spiky jangle of the Postcard-esque guitars. Influences come from around the world - opener '˜How We Lost The War' is straight from the Bay Area. However, the jerky rhythm of '˜Rebirth Of Our City' draws from Brits like Wire or Gang of 4, while '˜Slack Nail' - the longest tune at almost three minutes - rocks like a slightly antsy Franz Ferdinand. Downloadable at gianthaystacks.bandcamp.com, for a whiff of real nostalgia, it also comes as a cassette with fanzine - just like the good old days. (SMcH) ****
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Hide AdAdam Stafford - Fire Behind The Curtain
Following a break from making intensely angular indie pop songs to produce his 40 minute photo album soundtrack '˜Reverse Drift', Stafford has set his stall somewhere inbetween these with this collection of 13 filmic tracks. As ever taking a series of looped passages of voice and guitar, Stafford builds up insistent and infuriatingly catchy themes that will stick in your head all day. Largely vocal-free, it does take its blueprint from 2013's Scottish Album of the Year-nominated '˜Imaginary Walls Collapse'. From the delicately oriental '˜River Search' to the apocalyptic '˜Museum of Grinding Dicks', these atmospheric vignettes will conjure up their own imagery, and soundtrack the films in your own head. (SMcH) *****