In 2003,
Malcolm Middleton, the member of
Arab Strap regularly credited with "most things musical," released the cumbersomely titled solo album
5:14 Fluoxytine Seagull Alcohol John Nicotine, issued through Chemikal Underground. Two years later, he followed it up with the more focused
Into the Woods, put out by the same label. Neither album was a tremendous departure from his work with
Aidan Moffat (both lyrically and sonically), though the songwriting was occasionally more self-absorbed, oozing with self-doubt and heartache. Shortly after
Arab Strap's amicable split, he released the schizophrenic
A Brighter Beat (2007), followed by the relatively low-key
Sleight of Heart (2008) and another whimsical set in
Waxing Gibbous (2009). ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide