Song Of The Day No.5

Mortgage

by Skuobhie Dubh Orchestra (A New Cat, 1996)

Think 'banjo duel' from Deliverance. Well, kinda. Twanging, hyperactive banjo dominates the song with a kind of thigh-slapping intensity that turns this folky song into a catchy pop delight. Kenny Anderson, who records as King Creosote, was the main architect on the album just before his Fence Records days and KT Tunstall actually features on backing vocals. She was born round his way and got involved with the recording of the song and album. Her vocals provide sweet, rounded support on the chorus and offer a contrast to Kenny's distinctive, penetrative vocals.

After getting carried away with the thigh-slapping you realise the song seems to be a coming of middle-age love song, often referring to the title as something that the singer might 'need'. The song contains enough sonic diversions and little details to keep the intense rhythm going until the end and even to make sure you revisit your thigh with your palm many more times.

AR