Description

Twenty-three years after it first saw the light of day, Arab Straps debut album The Week Never Starts Round Here has been remastered here.

Recorded on the outskirts of Glasgow at MCM where labelmates Mogwai and The Delgados also recorded their debuts and which would become the first iteration of Chemikal Undergrounds sister operation Chem19 the master tapes have been meticulously refreshed by original recording engineer Paul Savage.

The Week Never Starts Round Here contains arguably Arab Straps best-known song, The First Big Weekend, which they wrote during a B-side session after the album was supposedly finished.

Although the prime lyrical concerns are typical of the records twentysomething creators alcohol, relationships, going out vocalist Aidan Moffat repudiates any notion that the album was sloppily conceived. We always had a sober and professional approach to recording, he says. Youre not there to fuck about youre there to work, and studio time is expensive.

Its a very personal, almost insular record, says Moffat, summing up The Week Never Starts Round Here. It has a very distinct character and is unique, which is rare.

Its a funny wee thing, adds multi-instrumentalist Malcolm Middleton. Ill always love it because its our first, but also because its naive and cheeky. Real musicians probably hate it, but its strength is its lack of technicality.

LP includes a digital download code.