Philophobia (Special Edition)

The augmented 2CD reissue of Arab Strap’s seminal second album ‘Philophobia’ finds it as controversial, poetic and luridly essential as it was back in 1998. If their debut witnessed Arab Strap brilliantly searching for their sound, then ‘Philophobia’ captured them in celebration at having found it.
 
Instrumentally beautiful, ‘Philophobia’ was adorned with sepulchral guitar, trumpets, cellos, rainfall and Aidan Moffat articulating experiences most of us are too embarrassed to even think about. Confessional, intimate, insightful and hilarious, ‘Philophobia’ was a literate, musical revelation.
 
The first four tracks on the second disc are taken from the band’s second Peel Session whilst tracks five to ten are from the band’s set at T In The Park in July, 1998.