McCarthy – I am a wallet (Optic Nerve, reissue)

Thrilling jangle pop with actual political engagement from what seems like another age (in fairness it was originally released almost 30 years ago) from the band that gave birth to Stereolab (kind of).

Providing proof if it were needed that the famous C86 sound could accommodate teeth underneath its smiling face.

The guitar of Tim Gane supplies the chiming hooks but the vocals of Malcolm Eden give great emotional heft, as on the very poignant ‘The well of loneliness’.

They are many, we are few
There’s not much we can do


As it happens, it’s one of the least overtly political songs in this collection but one of the most touching.



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