This macabre but grimly amusing and detailed love story of entwinement of the undead comes with ominous melodies, disturbing narrative and a beguiling beat, and on the video, alongside horror movie footage, includes ironic musical descriptions. Released back in the autumn, it’s the first single together by the brilliant Falkirk duo Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton in 15 years. A very welcome return, it heralds their forthcoming album As Days Get Dark out on Rock Action Records. More of Arab Strap’s work can be enjoyed and bought on Bandcamp or their website.
[Ominous guitar music builds, with disco beats]
I don't give a fuck about the past our glory days gone by
All I care about right now is that wee mole inside your thigh
And my confidence might crumble but my brio is unbroken
Let me loosen all your knots
Let our bodies be awoken
It's been another seven years
It's showing round the eyes
Another seven years entombed in lethargy and lies
But let's dig out our old clothes and prepare for celebration
I am The Son of Sleep
All I need's an invitation
[Instrumental section with congas and synth]
[Impassioned saxophone solo]
The heart began to putrify and then the body bloated
As our hair and teeth fell out we did our best to be devoted
But let's squeeze the maggots from our flesh like tiny poison pustules
Abandon all decorum
Boil us down to our essentials
We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams
And the sun, the moon, the earth, the neighbours long to hear our screams
So if Bacchus is a friend to Love then take this cup of kindness
Just one sip, one chug, one kiss could cure us of our blindness
Hear my wanton whispers
My loud, intemperate plea
We've been down among the dead men, now you're coming up with me
[Apocalyptic guitar solo]
[Bongos]
[Disco beats with bongos]
[Stirring strings]
Dig us up and hold us high
Raise our carcass to the sky
Wrap us up in sequin skin
And we can dance again in sin
Just take my hand and be brave
We'll say goodbye to this grave
Tonight we salsa, we rave
We are upcycled and saved
We've got the hay so let's roll
Surrender all self control
Quick now before the bell tolls
Let's sing the sighs from our souls
In the long grass, underneath the sun I saw you
In Tesco with your buttons undone I saw you
Hand in hand as we do the school run I saw you
In a mask with a secret someone I saw you
[Sad piano]
Let's not be bashful
Don't be oblique
The flesh is willing but the spirit is weak
The second life is calling
Feel its pull, feel its tow!
So let's live now before we're back below
The Turning of Our Bones
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