Vocalist Paul Noonan has compared the song 's style to that of Talking Heads . The song was recorded in November 2008 in Ballycumber House , " a big , draughty , stately home ... ... under the beady gaze of musty portraits of the Lords and Ladies of the estate from the 15th century " . Jim Farber of the '' New York Daily News '' has praised Noonan 's " flair for dialogue and his keen way with a metaphor " , claiming " his cruel writing will make you swoon " . " The Great Defector " was given its debut live performance on 11 July 2008 during Oxegen 2008
Oxegen 2008
Oxegen 2008
The Great Defector