Well, I have really enjoyed Arab Strap for quite some time now. I thought the album before this one, Elephant Shoe, was quite brilliant. The Red Thread, however, is not as dynamic, not as exciting to me, and i am not sure why. So i have been listening to this album on and off for a year now, and i just can't figure it out. It bothers me, and so i haven't written about it. Sorry boss.

Yes. On The Red Thread his guitarwork seems lighter and even more delicate than usual. On Amor Veneris and The Devil-tips the guitar seems so fragile that i am afraid it might break at any moment! On the other hand, Infrared and Screaming In The Trees contain some great guitar riffing. So yes, the guitars are still there, and they still sound good.

What about the rest of the music?

It still sounds good. There are sampled beats, strings, and interesting little keyboardy bits. In fact, Turbulence contains some really good beats and interesting sounds looping around in the background. And Haunt Me starts off with this really cool sample of strong strings that sounds like it comes from some old movie. Really, a nice effect. So yeah, i would say that the music is still interesting.

Okay, well, what about the vocals? Are all of the songs still full of Aidan Moffet's slurred stories of alcoholism and sexuality?

Sure 'nuff. This album pretty much re-hashes the same themes that Moffett has visited on the past three albums. No new ground is broken, and that is kind of a bummer, i guess.

Is the wordplay still as good?

Well, Moffett always has a line or two that just sticks with you. There are only two lines on this album that stick out to me. First, in The Long Sea, as the guitar swells up, he mutters "23 years of foreplay leads up to this" and the song descends into some intense drumming. It's a great moment, and the words are uttered with startlingly clarity. Then, on Screaming In The Trees he says "This bar ain't open late enough". A funny line in that it seems to sum up half of his work.

But in answer to the overall question, i would say that the wordplay on this album is not quite as good as it was on previous albums. Just barely though. This is a pretty subjective thing, so i have a hard time saying for sure.

However, i can definitely say that his delivery is off.

Hows that?

Well, normally the vocals in Arab Strap are half-muttered, as if Moffett is so drunk he can barely stand, and they are buried in the music. On The Red Thread he sounds like he is so drunk that all he wants to do is go to sleep.

Yeah, i've been there...

In fact, that's what i don't like about this album: it's too slow.

Too slow?

Yeah, that's it. I mean, it's not like Arab Strap were a thrash band before, but there was a certain nervous tension in their rhythms. A certain energy to their sound that broke through every once in a while, like on New Birds or Autumnal, but it doesn't carry through here. The songs meander around almost ... pointlessly. Yeah, that's it! Thanks Brendan.

Ummm, don't mention it.

I have been listening to this album on and off for almost a year, continually noting that something is "not right" with it, but unable to put my finger on it until just now, talking with you.

Well, that's what i like to hear: dedication on the part of a Minion. A review a year in the works....

Actually, Mr. EvilSponge sir, it's not me being dedicated per se.

Oh, then what is it?

It's just that everyone else i talk to tells me that this is Arab Strap's best album. People all over the internet are raving about it, and it bothered me that i didn't like it as much. I mean, i really like Arab Strap -- i think that they are a fine and talented band. So why didn't i like the album as much as everybody else!

Wait, by your logic all of this means that the rest of their fans enjoy them slowing down a bit.

Sure. Remember (as i explained in my review of Change by The Dismemberment Plan) in the world of music slowness means "maturity". So i guess that the rest of Arab Strap'sfans respect their new "mature" sound more. I dunno, but it doesn't do as much for me. In fact, Arab Strap have been slowing down slightly with each album. It seems that this time they fell below the general pace that i enjoy.

Anyway, that's how i sum up this album, after all this time: it's slower than their previous work, and i don't like it as much. The songwriting is still as good as it ever was, but that speed issue....

Elephant Shoe, Arab Strap's previous album.
Arab Strap live for The Red Thread at The 40 Watt Club in Athens on 7.April.2001 .