Malcolm Middleton - 'A Brighter Beat' (Full Time Hobby) Released 26/02/07

With the 'miserablist' shackle hung about his Falkirkian-neck, Malcolm Middleton has bounced from his Arab Strap springboard and proves his humour is blacker than thou. A cracking album that has seen MM performing in support of Badly Drawn Boy recently with musings and wry observations on the darker side of human relationships, the why and what summed up in the contender for best song title of the year - '**** It, I Love You'.

There's no escaping - 'We're All Going To Die', a belting tune that makes no bones of the fact that we'll end up as bones or carbon and sees the Falkirk intonation exemplified "...what if I dorn't/ become famous posthumously..." - brim full of new wave elan, whereas 'Death Love Depression Love Death' has a punky caustic ring despite the realms of descent. 'Fight Like The Night' is ably attested and the title track 'A Brighter Beat' has  a melodious Caledonian verve with wry lyrics - "Now you've gone and left me/ and there's nothing here/ but a tenner in my pocket/ and a fridge full of beer..." - like The Proclaimers on bum kicks but with a cracking knees up. '**** It, I Love You' beseeches with a chipper ditty and the Falkirkian charms - "...**** it, I love you/ there you go/ three little words on a mobile phone/ when are you coming horme...".

Harmonies shine on 'Stay Close Sit Tight', and the top notch 'Four Cigarettes' proves a melodious bonding tune as we sway with tankards in hand "...waiting for the lightning to strike...", and 'Somebody Loves You' shows accomplished musicianship with finger-picking felicity. 'Superhero Songwriters' brings cocky egos down a notch or two with its Shirley Bassey-ian brassy swaggering pomp and the black humour streak never letting up "...I can't commit myself/ to waking up/ possessed by arseholes...".

'A Brighter Beat' proves there's light under Caledonian skies and hope in many a miserablists bones. Ditch the tag! Malcolm Middleton has fashioned an album to pull many a down-cast soul from its slumber.