Luke Haines and The Auteurs - 'Das Capital' (Hut) Released 21/07/03

England is a fine breeding ground for the misanthropic, misunderstood genius. Morrissey, Larkin, Mark E Smith, Darius. Hell, it must be something about the weather. Whatever the reason it' s now about time Luke Haines was added to the list. For over ten years now he's being firing bitter missives at a largely indifferent general public. In typically contrary style this is no normal attempt at a critical appraisal of his work. Instead it features lush orchestral reworkings of some of his finest moments, but anyone expecting this move to make the subject matter any more palatable is in for a shock.

Haines has always dealt with the nasty things in life. Faded glamour (the wonderful 'Showgirls'), the grim reality of the seaside town ('Bugger Bogner') and even child abduction ('Unsolved Child Murder') get a look in, with Haines acting as both guide and curmudgeon as he shows us the under belly of noughties Britain. 'Lenny Valentino' is perhaps his finest moment with it's slashing strings and air of frustrated menace but there's plenty else here to convince you of the validity of the title. If you have any further doubts, Haines' hilariously modest sleeve notes should dispel any lingering concerns. Last year Luke Haines proposed a national 'pop music strike' in protest at the state of the top 40. Make sure you don't cross the picket line.