ARAB STRAP
Mad For Sadness (Jetset)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Quite an incredible record, full of dynamic waves pulsing between whispery trickles and screaming guitar monsoons, delivered in a live setting. Hard to believe this is a concert, only the fervent applause that eagerly follows every song gives it away. Part of the exciting Scottish new wave, Arab Strap might have the tools to take their music past the drooling critics and to the masses. Adele Bethel has a wonderfully rich voice that compliments Aidan Moffat's delivery which veers from a dreary, suicidal croon to a charming, accented narrative, giving the band another dimension besides being a Velvet Underground knock off. The sparse and minimal moments are truly divine, and perfectly set up the occasional crash of thunder.

© 2001 - John Sekerka