Olé! Tarantula

Olé! Tarantula is a 2006 album by Robyn Hitchcock, recorded with Peter Buck of R.E.M., Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows, and Bill Rieflin of Ministry, who are billed collectively as The Venus 3. It was recorded in Seattle, Washington.

The album contains ten original compositions, continuing largely in the vein of Hichcock's Spooked, which was also made in close collaboration with other musicians.

Of the tracks, "Adventure Rocket Ship" was pulled for a single and released with an animated promotional video. Several other tracks including "Olé Tarantula" and "(A Man's Gotta Know His Limitations) Briggs" had been in Hitchcock's live act for some time prior to this release. ("Briggs" had already seen light of day on Obliteration Pie.) The track "N.Y. Doll" is a eulogy of sorts to Arthur Kane, the New York Dolls bassist who had recently died.

Other guest musicians include former Soft Boys Morris Windsor and Kimberley Rew.

The cover image and internal cartoons are drawn by Hitchcock.

Track list

All tracks written by Hitchcock, except where stated

1. "Adventure Rocket Ship" – 2:50
2. "Underground Sun" – 3:57
3. "Museum of Sex" – 4:00
4. "Belltown Ramble" – 6:15
5. "Olé! Tarantula" - 3:51
6. "(A Man's Gotta Know His Limitations) Briggs" – 5:34
7. "Red Locust Frenzy" – 3:00
8. "'Cause It's Love (Saint Parallelogram)" (Lyrics: Hitchcock, Music: Hitchcock/Andy Partridge) – 3:23
9. "The Authority Box" – 4:13
10. "N.Y. Doll" – 3:45

External links

• Proper Records review