Aidan John Moffatt - 'I Can Hear Your Heart' (Chemikal Underground) Released 21/01/08

It was once thought by many that Aidan Moffat's former Arab Strap associate Malcolm Middleton was the loopiest, most eccentric indie rocker of all time. The release by Middleton of 'We're All Going To Die', a supposed punt as a contender for the Christmas number one spot, has gone a long way to affirming that but with Moffat's latest album release entitled 'I Can Hear Your Heart' it's a clear two fingers up to the PC brigade and all that is considered to be the norm in music for the twenty first century with what can only be described as an unadulterated shower of melancholic pornographic poetry.

There aren't many albums that posses an inlay that's worth reading, usually it's just a quick flash at the pictures but with Moffat's album it's insisted upon. If you can be bothered, and it's recommended, you'll find a rather fragrant short story which as a precursor to the album is appreciated as it ends up explaining quite a lot. Written in a Scotch accent Moffat rants on about how he wound up in bed with a so called friend and the turmoil that ensued. His inner most thoughts and feelings are released with little thought for the consequences.

The album begins with 'Atmos' which as it suggests is an atmospheric spell of ambient noise moving from the sublime to the ridiculous, giving way to the quirkily titled 'Cunts'. Perverse yes, but Moffat's combination of poetry and what can only be described as 70's flute based elevator music seems to fit. 'Super Sexy Real Live:' is a bout of classical mystery and suspense whilst 'Party At Your Boyfriends' sounds like Moffat talking into a Dictaphone from the confines of a toilet cubicle. '4Sex Message 1' is an absurd recorded message of relentless violent abuse, perhaps from the boyfriend of the girl Moffat has been screwing.

As you move from track to track you will of course notice that this album is quite different from any other you will have heard. It's essentially a poetic twist upon a highly intimate story, set upon an eclectic mix of musical genres and quite frankly a joy to bare witness to. Best listened to more than once to get the full picture, Moffat reveals to listeners another side to a man with a varied if slightly shady background.