The Auteurs - 'Das Capital' (Hut)
4/5
By: Joshua K
There's nothing worse than pointless hubris, and everybody hates a showoff. But what if you are a brilliant songwriter and master provocateur, despite your ego knowing no bounds? Could normal rules go out the window?
Ponder that question while admiring Black Box Recorder-man Luke Haines' amazing f**k you of an album to his former band, The Auteurs, and former label, Hut. For if ever there was a record that fully embodied the Shakespearean doublespeak of 'I come not to bury Caesar, but to praise him', it is this release.
Certainly, as critical darlings of the early-mid '90s who attracted a cult following with their biting, well-executed indie rock, The Auteurs are ripe for 'best of' treatment. To collect their greatest tracks in one package was long overdue and would have been an essential listen for the post-Britpop music fan.
So what has Haines done? Somehow convinced his paymasters to instead let him re-record every song, with an orchestra no less, rather than his former players. Grace the sleeve with an image borrowed from Brian Eno's 'Before and After Science' LP. Feature a written introduction that declares, 'Does this consolidate my place in music history? You bet.' And provide a self-penned review of his backlist, every album receiving top marks and comments such as, 'My first masterpiece... Best debut album of the nineties no contest,' and 'Sonically great, Albini on top form and me too.' Jawdroppingly arrogant, but thoroughly entertaining.
And the symphonic backing, with Haines' guitar and vocals upfront, indeed reinforces the sheer quality and timelessness of the songs. Picture the dramatic sounds of recent lavish-pop such as The Divine Comedy's 'Short Album About Love,' but with big flaming knives for lyrics. Oh hell, think Scott Walker's seminal 'Scott 4.' Even the three new songs are strong and fit snugly with the rest.
Concluded - for not taking the standard repackage/reissue approach - a huge marketing-risk - Haines and Hut should be applauded. 'Das Capital' is essential listening for Auteurs fans and, despite its conceit, well worth the time of rock fans across the board in general.
Artists in this article: The Auteurs
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