I’m starting to feel like the Grim Reaper and bearer of bad news. First it was about WOXY last week, now it’s about yet another band breaking up. After ten years, three live albums, six studio records and even a robbery, Arab Strap has decided to throw in the towel and call it quits.
While 2005’s studio album, The Last Romance, will be their final work of original music, the band is leaving us with a special gift. On November 27 they will release Ten Years Of Tears, a farewell compilation that will be host to a handpicked selection of tunes that goes beyond the traditional “best of” CDs.
In a press release made by the band’s label, Chemikal Underground, Aiden Moffat explained, “There’s no animosity, no drama. We simply feel we’ve run our course. The Last Romance seems the most obvious and logical final act of the Arab Strap studio adventure. Everybody likes a happy ending.” Malcolm Middleton went on to say, “The idea of the compilation is to capture the essence of the band over our ten year career. Sometimes the albums were a bit stifled because we were worrying too much about making a good album. I think that live versions of songs and b-sides etc show a truer, more relaxed side to the band. Ten Years Of Tears can serve both as an introduction to Arab Strap and also a fitting finale to those people who have followed us along the way.”
Yes, the band is also doing a farewell tour, but unless you reside in England or Scotland, chances are you are going to miss it. Sorry America!
