Scotland's Online Record Store

ALBUM OF THE MONTH : FEBRUARY 2012

Artist: R M Hubbert

Title: Thirteen Lost & Found

Label: Chemikal Underground

Purchase: LIMITED EDITION VINYL or CD

Difficult album number 2 doesn't really apply here.  Hubby has been making great records for years in a variety of bands. Touring in support of Mogwai around Europe has awakened many to the mans' obvious talents with a guitar, so expectations are high.  Nae pressure, like.

"Thirteen Lost & Found" is, unlike it's predecessor, produced by Alex Kapranos (formerly of The Amphetameanies amongst others) and it's remarkable just how great a job he's done a wonderful job here of capturing the mood of Hubby's art. Make no mistake, it would be incredibly easy to overproduce this material, but Kapranos' mark as producer is absolutely minimal, which is exactly what such material demands.

"We Radioed" get things started, and a mere 2 minutes later we're greeted by Aidan Moffat familiar voice. Hello Aidan!  Pretty soon, there's all kinds of Aidan Moffat's going off all over the place. It's one of the strongest sonic set-pieces on the album. I must also add that this album is as suited to headphones as a conventional home speaker set-up. Some pretty trippy fades and ever so subtle intricacies await as reward for those willing to pay attention.

One of the highlights of the early part of the album is "Gus Am Bris An Latha" which you can hear over on Hubby's soundcould page, or right here and right now if you prefer: http://soundcloud.com/chemikal-underground/gus-am-bris-an-latha-by-rm

Midway through the record comes the track "Sandwalks" an ominous and delicately layered piece initially built upon a piano phrase, but with various percussive elements bubbling underneath. All of this is weaved around Hubby's acoustic work of course, and the result is quite startling.

Over the albums 11 tracks, guests include Emma Pollock, John Ferguson, Marion Kenny, Hanna Tuulikki, Shane Connolly, Rafe Fitzpatrick and Michael John McCarthy.  Alasdair Roberts even makes an appearance, putting in a tremendous performance on album closer "The False Bride".

If you're a regular reader of the Insularis blog, you'll know i'm a fan of 5 word reviews.  I'd be struggling here, but there are some contants from the start to the very last note of this album.

Challenging, rewarding, intimate, emotional, sincere.