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TRACK: Bobby’s Song

WHO: Scottish indie mavericks The Aliens.

WHAT: Dreamy, laidback psych-rock.

HYPE: "Their minds are immeasurably superior to ours." - Artrocker

WE SAY: After a not-exactly overlong hiatus, the former Beta Band footsoldiers emerge with their follow-up to the debut Astronomy For Dogs with the forthcoming Luna, recorded in six months in a sort of solitude up in a wee village in Scotland, kinda Bon Iver meets Monarch Of The Glenn. Bobby’s Song, is the first to emerge into the world, and it’s reassuring to know their flair for grand-but-harebrained pop remains as keen as ever.

Kicking off with some barely-there beats and a Can bass, they take the brave/foolhardy decision of putting a harmonica up front, which in fairness had served Last Of The Summer Wine well for all of those years. But the assuredly summery melody, delivered with a floaty, soothing Dr Hilary bedside manner makes it perfect for laying on a hill staring at the clouds – or sliding down a hill in a bath, if you follow me.

Halfway through, the lads are abducted by extra-terrestrials and Bobby’s Song glides into a curious intergalactic psyche prog BBC Radiophonic Workshop Cossack hoedown, complete with accordian.

Having a harmonica and an accordian in the same song is asking for trouble, but considering they've just been experimented on by aliens, it’s probably best to cut them some slack.

IF YOU ONLY NEED TO KNOW ONE THING: The band went on a cultural exchange trip to Africa with Damon Albarn late last year. So if the album is chocka with those voguish Gracelands-style guitars, at least they have an alibi.

WHERE CAN I GET IT: The Aliens’ second album, Luna, is out September 29 on their Pet Rock label.

FIND MORE: http://www.myspace.com/thealiens1

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