Tony da Gatorra vs Gruff Rhys – The Terror of Cosmic Lonliness

Man, this is weird – but then, it was always going to be. Brazilian musician (and TV repair man) of the 'cult' variety Tony da Gatorra has invented his own instrument – the Gatorra, part drum machine, part guitar. Said contraption – coupled with Tony's melodramatic delivery of 'peace-loving protest songs' (that's what we've been told, our Portuguese ain't so hot) – is the prominent feature of this unorthodox collaboration.

Of course unorthodoxy was always going to appeal to the Super Furry Animals' frontman Gruff Rhys, who chips in with some compositions of his own, with only In A House With No Mirrors and 6868 sounding anything like a song from his previous outings. Buzzsaw guitar, simplistic yet ominous rhythms, and the occasional ethereal howl are the order of the day. Variety is subtle to non-existent but as ever with Rhys, delivered with immaculate wit and a deep appreciation of the curious. [Wilbur Kane]