'Hate' by The Deladoes

Where did this one come from? I honestly don't know. I remember hearing 'No Danger' on the radio, and liking it, but it's not on this album, which is the only Delgados album I own. I'm certain I bought it very cheaply - as in a pound, or so - but I don't know when, or where from, or even why. I've also barely listened to it since, so a pound (or so) well spent.

So I wasn't expecting this to be a big deal. However, I've been listening to it on rotation for a week partly because I'm not too fussed about the next album on the list, but mostly because it's actually really good. Good in a 'why have I not paid attention to this before' sort of way. Good in a 'look out for more albums' kind of way. Who knew? Not many people, it would seem - I don't the Delgados every achieved any real success.

So, to the album content. It swoops along with a certain amount of melancholy, but in the most enjoyable of ways. 'The Light Before We Land' is a stately and assured opening track. 'All You Need Is Hate' has a surprising title (which I assume is tongue-in-cheek) but is far nicer to hear than you'd expect from the title. 'Woke From Dreaming' and 'The Drowning Years' are delicately constructed with a hint of Mercury Rev about their arrangements. 'Come In From The Cold' would be a good Belle and Sebastian track. 'Child Killers' is a an expansive epic which entirely justifies it's 6:42 length. Similar adjectives would suit the rest of the album from this point on as it maintains its quality through to the glorious end of 'If This Is A Plan'.

This was the last but one Delgados album. I've no idea whether the others were this good or not, but I'll be looking into it. Wonderful stuff - I wish I'd paid attention before hand.