Every now and then a record appears which revolutionises the entire way one hears the music of the past which inspired it, forever informing the listener's very ability to appreciate the original template.
But that's enough about Muse's uncanny ability to make old Radiohead albums sound just as stinky as their own. For the Shirehorses second attempt is just a few old indies hits with comedy lyrics added and knocked out over a weekend by Mark and Lard, in a studio which presumably cost less than the liquor bill.
Sadly The Man has laid his dirty, freedom-hating hands upon this record, removing the efforts of the popular Craig and David and the superlative soundclash of Fatboy Slimfast and The Chemical Toilet Brothers for so-called 'legal' reasons. Yet enough remains to confuse.
Dave Lee Travisty offers not one but two affectionate tributes to Glasgow's dullest, I mean, finest, and who can deny that the Boy Lard's contribution to the retitled 'Fucking Around' ("you're always fucking fucking around") out-majs the majesty of the original. Similarly 'Why Is It Always Dairylea? ("when the contract stipulated brie") replaces Fran Healy's childish solipsism with an issue of real importance- the quality of artistes' catering.
Status Quorn, Foreplay (with 'Bellow'), Manic Street Sweepers- all are present and rubbish, and yet somehow no worse than the originals. In fact Mousse Tea's 'Horny' is so damned horny it'd terrify Tom Jones. Yes, for the price of a CD you too can enjoy half a radio show. The Shirehorses are undoubtedly geniuses, only not at music.
(2-4, Monday to Friday afternoons, Radio 1)
