The Witch And The Robot – On Safari (Atic) Big buddies of British Sea Power, The Witch And The Robot mine the same British eccentric / weird seams, though they appear happier when digging a little deeper than their comrades. Described by their press release as “possibly the strangest new act you’ll encounter this year”, I’m pleased to report that they don’t seem to be putting it on. Their mix of wonky folk, sea shanties, spoken word and lo-fi psychedelia in less skilled hands might have garnered accusations of attention whoring, but instead it appears a natural condition. Their songs cover all sorts of subjects from crocodiles to dead puppeteers, often through bizarre narratives that are held together by spoken descriptions and tall tales. Not quite Ivor Cutler but, at times, getting there, and I’m sure Peelie would have loved it, all the same. It’s a strange album from a band with some very strange ideas about popular music, but that shouldn’t put you off. What’s important is that On Safari is remarkably cohesive, not at all difficult and is never less than entertaining. www.myspace.com/thewitchandtherobot Rob F. Next