As jazz fans, it was amusing for us to play jazz harmonies on these big, ugly electric guitars.

I like it when songs develop in some way. Four minutes usually isn't enough time for something to develop musically.

As jazz fans, it was amusing for us to play jazz harmonies on these big, ugly electric guitars.

I have a critical nature, in the sense that when I look at something I often look for the flaws.

Melodies can be good depending on the context. You can have a simple melody, and if the harmony behind it is interesting, it can make a very simple melody really different. You can also have a complex melody. The more complex it is, the harder it is to sing, and then sometimes it can sound contrived. You could write a melody that would be fine on a saxophone but if you give it to a singer, it can sound raunchy.

I don't think you can escape the environment we live in now.

I'm starting to get older, and began to think about mortality a little more. My mother died in 2003 and that was a big shock. When your parents start to die off, that's going to be a revelation. So for me, this album - although it might sound quite cheery - is really talking about death.