From The Desk Of We Are Scientists’ Keith Murray: “Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace”

No one can call Brooklyn-based rockers We Are Scientists one-dimensional. The band has engaged in extracurricular activities ranging from creating a comedic TV series to self-improvement seminars. However, singer/guitarist Keith Murray and bassist Chris Cain have returned to their day job to release fourth album Barbara (PIAS/Masterswan). WAS, who were without a drummer since the 2007 departure of Michael Tapper, have added former Razorlight skinsman Andy Burrows to the lineup, and Barbara features a more eclectic sound, with the often-brash group experimenting with slower tempos and fuller arrangements. Lead single “Rules Don’t Stop” is vintage Scientists, though; it’s a nervy power-pop song driven by a thumping bass line. The single debuted at number 14 on the U.K. indie charts, and it’s already an anthem for mustachioed hipsters everywhere. Murray is guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with him.

Murray: The premise of this amazing British TV show is almost its best joke: It’s a show within a show, one part ’80s medical horror/mystery (think General Hospital meets Murder, She Wrote meets Tales From The Darkside) and one part modern-era making-of mockumentary. Matthew Holness plays the titular Marenghi, a megalomaniacal (and highly successful) pulp horror writer who, himself, stars as Rick Dagless, M.D., a genius surgeon with a penchant for vanquishing paranormal forces. (His hospital is inconveniently located over a gate to hell.) In one episode, he battles ghostly Scotsmen, eventually appeasing them by offering them shortbread. In another episode, he struggles to save his best friend’s love interest, who, after inhaling a peculiar green mist, is slowly turning into broccoli. The willfully awful production values and intentionally poor acting are only part of it. This is the best show ever.

Video after the jump.

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