On any list of unlikely collaboration this would have to come near the top: an arch-traditional Scottish indie outfits and a cult artist from Michigan who's recorded over 50 albums, each one more obscure than the last. Stick Teenage Fanclub and Jad Fair in the same studio, however, and the result is a spectacular meeting of minds. Fair takes vocal duties on most of the decidedly eccentric love songs that make up this album, with Norman Blake and co providing the enthusiastic backing of Hammond organ, piano, guitar and mandola. The freeflowing lyrics, full of copious references to Disney and horror films, are familiar Fair territory and Fanclub fans may be disappointed by the absence of that band's trademark Byrdsian jangle-pop. Cast aside those preconceptions, however, and Words Of Wisdom And Hope is a skewed, enjoyable oddity which should be appreciated by all lovers of leftfield pop.

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