The Boy With the Arab Strap

Why is this publicity-shy Scottish semi-band (led by singer-songwriter Stuart Murdoch) better than so many other clever, melodic lo-fi acts? Lack of irony and abundance of creativity: on The Boy With the Arab Strap Murdoch can apparently make a witty yet heartfelt song out of anything that crosses his mind, from a dirty dream (”Dirty Dream Number 2”) to turning down a record executive’s invitation to dinner (”Seymour Stein”). A-

• By Ken Tucker @kentucker