Arab Strap: Philophobia (Vinyl 2xLP)

Philophobia was recorded on the outskirts of Glasgow in the early incarnation of CHEM19 Studios with engineer/producer Paul Savage & at Cava Studios in Glasgow with engineer Geoff Allan. Initially released in 1998, it was the follow up to the band’s 1996 debut The Week Never Starts Round Here.

Instrumentally ambitious, Philophobia is adorned with sepulchral guitar, trumpet, cello & Scottish rainfall, providing a most beautiful backdrop to Aidan Moffat’s bold lyrical presentation as he articulates experiences most of us are too embarrassed to even think about; confessional, intimate, insightful and hilarious, Philophobia remains a literate & musical revelation.

1. Packs Of Three
2. Soaps
3. Here We Go
4. New Birds
5. One Day, After School
6. Islands
7. The Night Before The Funeral
8. Not Quite A Yes
9. Piglet
10. Afterwards
11. My Favourite Muse
12. I Would've Liked Me A Lot Last Night
13. The First Time You're Unfaithful