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Aidan Moffat - How To Get To Heaven...
It appears that Aidan Moffat is living the proverbial life of Riley. Since the demise of Arab Strap way back in 2006 (gulp) the self-confessed 'alcoholic lo-fi miserablist' has got a touch of Glaswegian ADD. Flitting from one musical project to another like an over-enthused kid, he's managing to experience that great desire of songwriters worldwide, namely...variety.
Seemingly unable to keep a lid on his caustic songwriting charms, he's nailed collaborations with Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite, penned expansive spoken-word book projects and scheduled in writing sessions with Bill Wells. He's basically exploring the creative paths that he wants to and to hell with everyone else. Now that to me is a pretty sorted kind of existence.
'How to Get To Heaven From Scotland' is another collaboration of sorts. This time Moffat has operated an 'open door' policy, with any Scottish musician worth their salt (The Delgados' Alun Woodward, Stevie Jones et al) cropping up in some capacity on this long-player. There's also a new creative muse for Moffat. For finally we have a love album from the grumbling one; and a rather beautiful record it is too.
In the literature accompanying this release Moffat stats that it's "incredibly difficult to (write love songs) if you want to avoid cliche and repetition". Never one for taking the well-worn path Moffat has used this tricky conundrum to stimulate his songwriting to explore different ideas. Whether it takes the form of human beat boxing (which is sprinkled deliciously over the opening track 'The Lover's Song') or instead channels itself into the album's surprisingly positive mood, Moffat's search for songwriting inspiration has come up trumps.
For sure it's one of Moffat's more low-key releases of late but that fact doesn't stop it being one of his most engaging, infectious and downright enjoyable albums of the last 4 years. The runaway success of the mellow Moffat? Wonders will never cease.
'How To Get To Heaven From Scotland' is available now through Chemikal Undergrounds.
Official site: www.aidanmoffat.co.uk
Words: Stephen Rainham
Seemingly unable to keep a lid on his caustic songwriting charms, he's nailed collaborations with Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite, penned expansive spoken-word book projects and scheduled in writing sessions with Bill Wells. He's basically exploring the creative paths that he wants to and to hell with everyone else. Now that to me is a pretty sorted kind of existence.
'How to Get To Heaven From Scotland' is another collaboration of sorts. This time Moffat has operated an 'open door' policy, with any Scottish musician worth their salt (The Delgados' Alun Woodward, Stevie Jones et al) cropping up in some capacity on this long-player. There's also a new creative muse for Moffat. For finally we have a love album from the grumbling one; and a rather beautiful record it is too.
In the literature accompanying this release Moffat stats that it's "incredibly difficult to (write love songs) if you want to avoid cliche and repetition". Never one for taking the well-worn path Moffat has used this tricky conundrum to stimulate his songwriting to explore different ideas. Whether it takes the form of human beat boxing (which is sprinkled deliciously over the opening track 'The Lover's Song') or instead channels itself into the album's surprisingly positive mood, Moffat's search for songwriting inspiration has come up trumps.
For sure it's one of Moffat's more low-key releases of late but that fact doesn't stop it being one of his most engaging, infectious and downright enjoyable albums of the last 4 years. The runaway success of the mellow Moffat? Wonders will never cease.
'How To Get To Heaven From Scotland' is available now through Chemikal Undergrounds.
Official site: www.aidanmoffat.co.uk
Words: Stephen Rainham
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