The Red Thread (Arab Strap album)

Last updated

The Red Thread
The red thread by arab strap.jpg
Studio album by
Released26 February 2001 (2001-02-26)
Studio
Genre Alternative rock
Length56:53
Label Chemikal Underground
Arab Strap chronology
Elephant Shoe
(1999)
The Red Thread
(2001)
Monday at the Hug & Pint
(2003)
Singles from The Red Thread
  1. "Love Detective"
    Released: 2001 (2001)
  2. "Turbulence"
    Released: 2001 (2001)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 75/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Drowned in Sound 8/10 [3]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [4]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
NME 7/10 [6]
Pitchfork 6.9/10 [7]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Spin 7/10 [9]

The Red Thread is the fourth studio album by Scottish indie rock band Arab Strap, released on 26 February 2001 by Chemikal Underground.

Contents

Background

Aidan Moffat of Arab Strap has commented on the title of the album, saying:

It's an Eastern belief that you're connected to your life partner by an invisible red thread and by that you will always find each other. It works both as a romantic thing and a comfort just in case it all goes wrong because you've still not followed the thread. It's relevant to the doubts that are expressed in some of the songs. [10]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Malcolm Middleton and Aidan Moffat.

No.TitleLength
1."Amor Veneris"3:46
2."Last Orders"4:55
3."Scenery"5:05
4."The Devil-Tips"5:49
5."The Long Sea"7:09
6."Love Detective"4:00
7."Infrared"6:11
8."Screaming in the Trees"6:06
9."Haunt Me"5:40
10."Turbulence"8:14

Charts

Chart (2001)Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC) [11] 86
UK Albums (OCC) [12] 125
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [13] 16

Related Research Articles

Belle and Sebastian Scottish indie pop band

Belle and Sebastian are a Scottish indie pop band formed in Glasgow in 1996. Led by Stuart Murdoch, the band has released ten albums. Much of their work had been released on Jeepster Records before signing with Matador Records.

Chemikal Underground

Chemikal Underground is an independent record label set up in 1994 at Glasgow, Scotland by rock band The Delgados. It was set up to release their first single, "Monica Webster" / "Brand New Car" and went on to break many new Scottish bands in the nineties.

Arab Strap are a Scottish indie rock band whose core members are Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton. The band were signed to independent record label Chemikal Underground, split in 2006 and reformed in 2016. The band signed to Rock Action Records in 2020.

<i>The Boy with the Arab Strap</i> 1998 studio album by Belle & Sebastian

The Boy with the Arab Strap is the third studio album by Scottish indie pop band Belle & Sebastian, released in 1998 through Jeepster Records.

Mogwai Scottish post-rock band

Mogwai are a Scottish post-rock band, formed in 1995 in Glasgow. The band consists of Stuart Braithwaite, Barry Burns, Dominic Aitchison, and Martin Bulloch (drums). Mogwai typically compose lengthy guitar-based instrumental pieces that feature dynamic contrast, melodic bass guitar lines, and heavy use of distortion and effects.

Malcolm Middleton Musical artist

Malcolm Bruce Middleton (born 31 December 1973) is a Scottish musician and member of indie band Arab Strap. He has also released seven solo studio albums and three albums performing under the pseudonym Human Don't Be Angry.

<i>Mogwai Young Team</i> 1997 studio album by Mogwai

Mogwai Young Team is the debut studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai. Produced by Paul Savage and Andy Miller, the album was released on 21 October 1997 through the Chemikal Underground record label.

<i>Rock Action</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Mogwai

Rock Action is the third studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai. The album was produced by Dave Fridmann of Mercury Rev in New York.

<i>Philophobia</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Arab Strap

Philophobia is the second studio album by Scottish indie rock band Arab Strap. It was released on 20 April 1998 on Chemikal Underground.

<i>The Week Never Starts Round Here</i> 1996 studio album by Arab Strap

The Week Never Starts Round Here is the debut studio album by Scottish indie rock band Arab Strap. It was released on 25 November 1996 on Chemikal Underground. The album was reissued in 2010, with a bonus CD which includes the band's first session for John Peel, from March 1997 with guest appearances from Belle and Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch and Chris Geddes, and their first ever live gig, at King Tut's in Glasgow in October 1996, as recorded live for Peel's show.

<i>The Last Romance</i> 2005 studio album by Arab Strap

The Last Romance is the sixth studio album by Scottish indie rock band Arab Strap, released on 17 October 2005 on Chemikal Underground.

<i>Monday at the Hug & Pint</i> 2003 studio album by Arab Strap

Monday at the Hug & Pint is the fifth studio album by Scottish indie rock band Arab Strap. It was released in Europe on 21 April 2003 by Chemikal Underground and in the United States a day later by Matador Records. The album features appearances from Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes and Barry Burns of Mogwai, among others.

<i>Elephant Shoe</i> 1999 studio album by Arab Strap

Elephant Shoe is the third studio album by Scottish indie rock band Arab Strap, released on 13 September 1999 by Go! Beat.

<i>Mad for Sadness</i> 1999 live album by Arab Strap

Mad for Sadness is a live album by Scottish indie rock band Arab Strap, released on 3 May 1999 by Go! Beat.

Aidan Moffat Scottish musician

Aidan John Moffat is a Scottish vocalist and musician, and member of the band Arab Strap.

<i>Into the Woods</i> (Malcolm Middleton album) 2005 studio album by Malcolm Middleton

Into The Woods is the second studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter, Malcolm Middleton, released on 13 June 2005 on Chemikal Underground.

Biffy Clyro discography band discography

The discography of Biffy Clyro, a Scottish alternative rock band from Kilmarnock, consists of nine studio albums, three live albums, seven compilations, one soundtrack, six extended plays (EPs), 43 singles, 37 music videos and six other appearances. Formed in 1995 by vocalist and guitarist Simon Neil, bassist James Johnston and drummer Ben Johnston, Biffy Clyro released their debut EP thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow in 2000 through Electric Honey, and later signed with Beggars Banquet Records. The band's debut full-length album Blackened Sky was released in 2002, reaching number 25 on the Scottish Albums Chart. The Vertigo of Bliss followed in 2003, with single "Questions and Answers" reaching the top ten of the Scottish Singles Chart. The band's third and final album on Beggars Banquet, Infinity Land, peaked at number 13 in Scotland. "Glitter and Trauma", "My Recovery Injection" and "Only One Word Comes to Mind" all reached the singles chart top ten.

Wolfmother discography

The discography of Australian hard rock band Wolfmother consists of six studio albums, four extended play (EPs), 18 singles, 14 music videos and one video album. The band have also contributed to two soundtracks and one tribute album. Originally from Sydney, Wolfmother were formed in 2004 by vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross, and drummer Myles Heskett. After signing with Modular Recordings and releasing their self-titled debut EP in 2004, the band's debut full-length studio album, also titled Wolfmother, was released in Australia in October 2005. It reached number 3 on the Australian Albums Chart. The album was released internationally the following year, reaching number 25 in the UK, number 22 in the US, and selling over 1.6 million copies worldwide by 2009.

David Jeans, known as Jeansy, is a Scottish drummer. Born in Edinburgh, Jeans has played drums with The Complete Stone Roses, The Zephyrs and Arab Strap.

RM Hubbert Musical artist

RM Hubbert, commonly known as Hubby, is a Scottish guitarist and singer. Best known for his solo work as RM Hubbert and as a member of Scottish post rock band El Hombre Trajeado, he has been an active member of the Glaswegian DIY music scene since 1991.

References

  1. "Reviews for The Red Thread by Arab Strap". Metacritic . Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  2. Kellman, Andy. "The Red Thread – Arab Strap". AllMusic . Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  3. Whitehouse, Tim (2 April 2001). "Album Review: Arab Strap – The Red Thread". Drowned in Sound . Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  4. Morgan, Laura (9 March 2001). "The Red Thread". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  5. Costa, Maddy (23 February 2001). "Such sweet sorrows". The Guardian . Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  6. Martin, Piers (24 February 2001). "Arab Strap: The Red Thread". NME . Archived from the original on 20 March 2001. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  7. Leslie, Camilo Arturo (27 February 2001). "Arab Strap: The Red Thread". Pitchfork . Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  8. "Arab Strap: The Red Thread". Q (175): 96. April 2001.
  9. Greenwald, Andy (May 2001). "Mogwai: Rock Action / Arab Strap: The Red Thread". Spin . 17 (5): 147. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  10. Shepherd, Fiona. "Missionary Position". The Scotsman . Archived from the original on 3 July 2007. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  11. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  12. "Chart Log UK: A – Azzido Da Bass". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  13. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 November 2018.