The Falkirk duo's swan-song compilation, Ten Years of Tears, is out tomorrow on Chemikal Underground. The tension between Aidan Moffat's mumbled, misanthropic lyrics and Malcolm Middleton's delicate, intricate arrangements was never resolved: precisely their appeal for fans, and the reason others remain baffled. To their disciples, Arab Strap are one of the most underrated British acts of the past 10 years.
1 Cherubs Demonstrates irrefutably why Moffat is our greatest current lyricist, and Middleton a genius soundscaper.
2 Packs of Three An arresting opening to a searing look at infidelity.
3 The Shy Retirer Monday at the Hug and Pint's self-lacerating, alcohol-bloated standout.
4 Pyjamas Stifling heat, and a stifling relationship in its terminal stages.
5 The First Big Weekend The story of a three-day bender, shortly after the duo met.
6 I Would've Liked Me a Lot Last Night The morning after the night before, as Middleton's ghostly piano turns the screw.
7 Islands Optimism invades his heart, and Moffat doesn't quite know what to do with it.
8 Last Orders Ominous melodica, pounding drums - a brutal postmortem.
9 I Saw You Unrequited love at a Belle and Sebastian gig.
10 There Is No Ending Perverse as ever, the Strap bow out with their most commercial song.
To listen to and buy as an exclusive Culture iMix, visit www.timesonline.co.uk/downloads