Half Man Half Biscuit - 90 Bisodol (Crimond)

Apart from the demented yelps and mangled proto-raps of Mark E Smith and his rumbling Fall, there's barely a more distinctive sounding (or reassurance giving) English "indie" band than the Biccies, the Wirral's most celebrated musical export. I'm not one for concentrating on lyrics much in music. I find that I miss the hooks, dynamism, textures and general musicianship if I lose myself in the vocalist's whims. HMHB are one of the few exceptions as their rambling, shambling homely din is unashamedly simple, leaving the inspired sprawl of culturally astute/downright satirical wordplay to carry you to the level of contentment you crave. The word cult doesn't do this band justice, they're like a constantly exciting fixture on the fringes with their sardonic, surreal and hilarious prose and the years between each album are a little emptier for all the quietude on the Biscuit front. So songs about Z-list celebrities, desperate nobodies, European football, recording studios and shit supermarkets...the usual beloved fare. '90 Bisodol (Crimond)' can't be called either a good or bad album because this bunch are quite beyond all that petty judgemental bullshit. It's what you want. Another album of the same which means catchy, funny and irreverent ditties that name-check anyone from Gok Wan to Black Sabbath! On their 12th outing familiarity never sounded so damn fine!! Also heartening to see they're still with the same tiny Liverpool label they were with in 1985, quite the opposite of The Fall!!