This is a Japanese bonus track from 2003’s “Monday at the Hug and Pint,” and while it’s certainly not one of their best, I’m just a sucker for Arab Strap’s basic shtick, even on a minor song like this one: The simple, lo-fi drum machine beat, Malcolm Middleton’s minimal, somewhat aimless guitar parts, and Aidan Moffat’s lecherous croon, filthy and oh-so-desperately sad. The band has a few other MP3s available here, and don’t forget the earlier Salon Exclusive download from this year’s “The Last Romance.”
— T.B.
