Review by Stan Cierlitsky
I was a bit surprised to hear that Chemikal Underground was again reissuing Arab Strap's debut album, The Week Never Starts Around Here. It was originally released a little less than 23 years ago on November 25, 1996. It was released again in 2010 when it included a Peel Session and a live recording, Live At King Tut's, 1996. [Editor: That previous reissue was covered here.].
I, like many, first heard Arab Strap when they released "The First Big Weekend", their distinctive debut single. I always think of this song alongside Belle & Sebastian's "A Century Of Elvis" for a few reasons: both bands are Scottish; both songs came out around the same time; and both songs feature heavily accented speaking parts over music. That's where the similarities end, of course, for me. While Belle & Sebastian write relatively lighter, uplifting twee-types of indie songs, Arab Strap's music has always been much darker, both in terms of the music and the lyrics. But that's okay.
Ever since the release of The Week Never Starts Around Here, I have been fully on-board with all things Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton. And as much as I love Arab Strap, I must admit that their post break-up work is equally good. Check out Aidan's 2011 album, also on Chemikal Underground, with Bill Wells called Everything's Getting Older. It's just incredible. [Editor: Reviewed by me here.] And also check out Malcolm's 2018 record called Bananas. It's one of the best albums I have heard in a long while. [Editor: Also reviewed by me here.]
So why reissue the debut Strap album again, especially when you aren't including any unreleased material and it's not a 10-, 20-, or 30-year anniversary? The reason is that this is a proper remaster. Chemikal Underground has stated that the master tapes have been "meticulously refreshed" by the original recording engineer (and Delgados drummer) Paul Savage.
Since I am an old man, and my hearing is clearly shot, a lot of these "meticulous refreshers"-sorts of things are kind of wasted on me. But these remasters here are really good. On this edition of The Week Never Starts Around Here, you will notice the differences from previous editions. Just compare the brooding big, dark beats on "The Clearing" here to previous issues of the track. It is probably my second favorite song off this album. Even the quiet opening on "The First Big Weekend" sounds crisper.
And, let's be honest: One of the best things about these reissues is that they give you a reason to go back and listen to an album you might not have picked up in some time. Honestly, as much as I love Arab Strap, I probably haven’t listened to this album straight through since 2010 when the last reissue of The Week Never Starts Around Here came out.
As I already mentioned, "The First Big Weekend" and "The Clearing" are the gems here. The rest of The Week Never Starts Around Here is pretty good too. Perhaps it remains a bit too lo-fi at some points, and perhaps not all of the songs are essential Arab Strap listening, but that might be this fan being a little overly picky. In all honesty, the bedsit drama of the first Arab Strap album remains as compelling as ever.
If I had only one wish for this reissue is that it would have included The Girls of Summer EP, which is brilliant and followed closely after this record in 1997.
The Week Never Starts Around Here is out on Chemikal Underground.