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Track Listings
| 1. We're All Going To Die |
| 2. Fight Like the Night |
| 3. A Brighter Beat |
| 4. Death Love Depression Love Death |
| 5. Fuck It, I Love You |
| 6. Stay Close Sit Tight |
| 7. Four Cigarettes |
| 8. Somebody Loves You |
| 9. Up Late At Night Again |
| 10. Superhero Songwriters |
Product Description
Review
Still, as opening couplets to albums go, 'we're all going to die/and what if there's nothing?' probably ranks amongst the bleakest. And yet, A Brighter Beat is such an unashamedly life-affirming album, it's hard to believe it could come from it.
It's all down to the juxtaposition of his lyrics and music, showed off perfectly by the title track, which may deal in despairing words, but has a push and pump of a backing beat so toe-tappingly danceable that it becomes impossible not to smile to.
Always a fine songwriter in his Strap days (and of course, on his previous solo outings), he's managed to raise his own bar on A Brighter Beat, with ''Fight Like The Night'' and ''Up Late At Night Again ''deserving particular praise.
The former is a duet-cum-fight between Middleton and The Reindeer Section's Jenny Reeve that surges with enormous choruses and hurtling pop sensibilities, while the latter is the kind of epic indie that Snow Patrol dream of writing, complete with haunting breaks, massive strings and the show-stopping, heart-wrenching hook of a line - 'if I go first, I'll tell you what it's like.'
In equal proportions epic and intimate, ridiculously pop and rampantly experimental, A Brighter Beat is the kind of album that makes a career. Following on from the greatness of his last solo work, Into The Woods, and the decade of unfathomable brilliance he supplied with Arab Strap, it is a stunning work.
It turns out that his opus to death has actually been the perfect start to his new solo life. Expect to see this on the Mercury list come nomination time. --Chris Long
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Customer Reviews
Malcolm's lyrics are again dripping in self loathing but done with humour. We're all gonna die (the most recognisable song thanks to Xmas no 1 campaign) is the weakest song on here and that is terrific.
My personal favourite Death, Love,Depression, Love Death has malcolm lamenting that, "I can hear my blood howling in my skin,I cant hide feelings the walls are much too thin, You'll never find me comfy in a crowd,My hands are starving"
Jenny Reeve adds her haunting vocal to a number of songs to superb affect non more so than on Fight Like The Night where she urges Malcy, "You can be my hero, by not letting me down, Not letting me down again, and being around, You can be my hero, by crawling into the rut,Crawling into the rut with me, and holding my chin up"
I Hope Malcolm took the advice.
The man is a genius and this is his masterpiece
Go Buy!
Great guitars, piano and some electronics. And it is not a one-paced album: good mix of slow/fast & quiet/load. And nice to hear that Scottish accent too.
There's a few absolute classic tracks on here (the title track for one) and the lyrics are great: it's that happy/sad thing; but no self pity. No Emo here!!
It's difficult to crititicise this record... I love it.
The opener `We're All Going to Die' sets the tone for the album, an instantly catchy electro-pop three minute wonder that revels in the juxtaposition of its morbid lyrics and bouncy tune.
The rest of the CD shows strong punk/rock/electronic influences put together so that the whole package is consistently interesting. The closing track `Superhero Songwriters' is a powerful anthem and genuinely stirring.
The really likeable aspect to the CD is the jet-black streak of humour running throughout, particularly evident in the opening track and obviously on `F**k It, I Love You' which will make you laugh out loud. This, combined with Middleton's laconic Scots vocal delivery, give a false impression of a couldn't-care-less attitude. Don't be fooled: the songs on this CD are extremely well-written and played.
I shall be interested in hearing more by Middleton. A recommended CD.
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