The sound is deep in the dark

Into the Woods by Malcolm Middleton (one of those new-fangled compact discs that Tomorrow’s World featured the other day) is dominating the listening schedules at Radio Cole FM at the moment. The former Arab Strap master of murky melancholia has managed to marry the miserabilism of his former combo’s lyrics to some uplifting electronic soundscapes and acoustic charm. The songs are witty and intelligent but the themes of isolation and despair that dominated much of Arab Strap’s output are still apparent and, again, the listener finds himself or herself as voyeur, glancing nervously into a mind dominated by bleak thoughts and uncertainties. This is a fine and rewarding album. I recommend it.