Three years after Arab Strap last appeared in Portsmouth to promote the 'Philophobia' album, the band return to The Wedgewood Rooms, this time playing songs from what is my personal Strap favourite, 'The Red Thread'.  I was a little disappointed that they only performed three songs from the new album (although both tracks from the recent 'Fukd ID #2' single were performed).

The set began somewhat haphazardly, with 'Packs Of Three' finally getting played the whole way through after two false starts and Aidan's improptu rendition of 'Bruce Willis'.  The song started the opening trio of 'Philophobia' tracks (a fine 'New Birds', and 'Soaps' sounding as wistful as ever).  When Arab Strap continued with a quintet of songs from the recent sessions, the benefits of the additional keyboardist were heard.  'Scenery', 'The Devil Tips', 'Rocket, Take Your Turn', 'Infra Red' and a cracking 'Blackness' all sounded full, professional and well mixed - and it was good of the audience to maintain perfect silence in Malcolm's quiet 'Blackness' guitar refrains before the "wall of sound" end crescendo.

'Pro (Your) Life' was also cut short when something went wrong - and as with 'Packs Of Three', I couldn't work out what exactly had gone wrong as the tracks sounded fine to me.  'Girls Of Summer' was promptly launched into, and was as impressive live as it has always been - and only bettered in the set by a superb 'Rocket, Take Your Turn'.  It's been suggested by a fan in the message board that relations were perhaps strained between Aidan and Middleton, and after many weeks of touring, this could well be true - especially considering the lack of an encore from the band (just few minutes of darkness before the house lights were finally raised).  It goes without saying that Aidan's in between song banter was as amusing as ever: "Anyone know any Britney Spears songs?" being asked after 'Packs Of Three' went wrong for the second time.

Technical glitches aside, the set covered most Strap bases with enough old and new material to keep most fans happy - I certainly enjoyed it immensley (but then again, I'm VERY biased).  It's a shame there wasn't an encore of 'Turbulence' or 'Love Detective' and perhaps another song with Adele, as her one effort during 'Infra Red' sounded splendidly sultry, as per usual.

My mate Scott says to mention that he thinks not doing an encore is the coolest thing a band can do anyway!

Review: Andrew Morrison
(This review also appears at Arab Strap's official website ArabStrap.co.uk.)