Belle & Sebastian

Belle & Sebastian have made two of the best albums of the last 15 years.

Dear Catastrophe Waitress was the first B&S album that I heard. It's absolutely brilliant and I suggest that you all buy it immediately. The album begins a divergence (continued on their next album The Life Pursuit) away from the classic B&S sound, (a very melancholy twee), into a more upbeat sound. This can be heard especially on the song Lord Anthony. Stuart Murdoch's voice sounds as good as it ever has on this record. The song quality is pretty consistent throughout and even Sarah Martin's contribution of Asleep on a Sunbeam is great. Martin is the band's violin player and I use the word "even" because B&S has run into some trouble with songs written by members other than Murdoch, (see the album Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant, probably their weakest). The lyrics are extremely strong on this record. Songs like Piazza New York Catcher and If She Wants Me are great examples of Murdoch's lyrical craftsmanship, offering perfect examples of his unique often fragmentary storytelling.

If You're Feeling Sinister is the other B&S album that one should own. It took me a little longer to appreciate this record, Dear Catastrophe Waitress I loved upon first hearing, but this one took months of occasional listening for me to become obsessed with it. Every song is great, with a few approaching perfection, with the exception of one. I really could have done without The Boy Done Wrong Again. Seeing Other People, Like Dylan In The Movies, If Your Feeling Sinister, and Judy And The Dream Of Horses are all grand slam home runs as songs. I love the ambiguity of Seeing Other People. I've had a few theories as to what the details of this song are about and I still remain undecided as to the genders and ages of the people involved. If Your Feeling Sinister might be the best song on the record. The minute long background track of what sounds like a schoolyard sets a perfect mood for the rest of the song. The song' structure is also interesting in that the chorus doesn't show up until about 3:40 in a song that 5:21 long. Murdoch manages to tell a religious story from a believer's point of view without sounding dogmatic or overbearing. Judy And The Dream Of Horses is my favourite B&S song. It's got a great melody, great lyrics, it's execution is perfect. It's also strong emotionally, Murdoch sings it like he means it.

Two other B&S records worth listening to are The Life Pursuit and The Boy With The Arab Strap. Neither are as good as the ones mentioned above, but they are solid efforts, each with some outstanding songs.

B&S have a new album coming out in October.