[midlife 150] #121: the delgados “pull the wires from the wall”

#121 Pull The Wires From The Wall by The Delgados, taken from Peloton, 1998 [buy from Amazon.co.uk]

Among the very best songs produced by the Scottish Indie scene, Pull The Wires From The Wall is the finest three and three-quarter minutes The Delgados ever recorded. It became a firm favourite of the late, great John Peel – topping his annual Festive Fifty in 1998, and making number 26 in his all-time list, compiled in 2000. I could leave my commentary here, as no further recommendation is needed.

I can’t help but mention, though, the enigmatic, (dis)enchanted world the lyrics create, their meaning tantalisingly out of reach, though just close enough to draw you back for another look. And as I’m here it would be churlish of me not to acknowledge Emma Pollock‘s wonderfully laconic vocals, ambling atop their chamber pop setting of guitar and strings.

Introspective, inscrutable, indie songwriting, Pull The Wires From The Wall is the perfect prescription for the lightly tormented. Take at least once a day “if you’re feeling fond of feeling wronged. Fully clothed.”

This review is part of close to 94 ‘s [midlife 150] series, which counts down favourite music 1970-2009.