I’d probably agree with you on that. “Sinister’s” big draw back is that it’s not very well recorded, which takes some of the edge off of it. I’m almost ashamed to say I haven’t heard the “Live at the Barbican” recording – I imagine it’s got to be pretty frickin’ awesome.
But I’m with you on “Arab Strap” just straight up sounding the best. Not underproduced like “Sinister” and not over-produced like most of the stuff that came after. It gets it just right.
Murdoch’s voice has never sounded better than on boy with the arab strap. Just as good as Art Garfunkel. White collar boy was a good song from life pursuit.
I prefer “Sinister.” Honestly, almost every song on that album is an indie-pop classic, as far as I’m concerned. I do love “Arab Strap,” though.
“Another Sunny Day,” “Sookie in the Graveyard,” and “Funny Little Frog” were probably my favorites off of “Life Pursuit,” which was, yeah, overall a bit disappointment.
The boy with the arab strap is their best album. Its just the vocals are amazing on it and the tunes are classics. Is it wicked not to care was one of the most beautiful songs i ever heard. The last album i only really liked funny little frog.
Sleep the Clock Around on Arab Strap is hard to listen to after you hear it on BBC Sessions.
As for the band’s evolution, it seemed to me just from the sound and indeed from what the band said in the interviews they finally started doing that they were trying to make more radio-friendly music… which is just fine, really.
DCW got it just about right; sounded just enough old and new for old fans to embrace it. Life Pursuit, outside a couple of tracks (#2 especially), was a bit much for me.
@fastrnb idk.. its got womens realm, the model, theres too much love, chalet lines, dont leave the light on baby. i think their earlier albums are a bit more drab.
I’m from scotland and I used to live in the west end of glasgow. The bit near the end when the girl hides behind the wall is Cresswell Lane. You go there on google maps. The rest of it is around that area mostly to the west of there.
does anyone else feel (despite lyrics) that this is a slower version of “Common People” by Pulp? perhaps an influence? it just struck me all of a sudden…
Aristurtle, I recommend If You’re Feeling Sinister and Dear Catastrophe Waitress. If you’re still not sure listen to some of the B&S playlists on youtube (there are several with 30+ of their songs) and pick out the songs that you like, then look up which albums have them on wikipedia.
25 Comments
January 20th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I’d probably agree with you on that. “Sinister’s” big draw back is that it’s not very well recorded, which takes some of the edge off of it. I’m almost ashamed to say I haven’t heard the “Live at the Barbican” recording – I imagine it’s got to be pretty frickin’ awesome.
But I’m with you on “Arab Strap” just straight up sounding the best. Not underproduced like “Sinister” and not over-produced like most of the stuff that came after. It gets it just right.
January 20th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Murdoch’s voice has never sounded better than on boy with the arab strap. Just as good as Art Garfunkel. White collar boy was a good song from life pursuit.
January 20th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I prefer “Sinister.” Honestly, almost every song on that album is an indie-pop classic, as far as I’m concerned. I do love “Arab Strap,” though.
“Another Sunny Day,” “Sookie in the Graveyard,” and “Funny Little Frog” were probably my favorites off of “Life Pursuit,” which was, yeah, overall a bit disappointment.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
The best Belle and Sebastian single ever!!
January 20th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Take a listen to danish indie pop act The Kites
watch?v=RhIUmoByqG0
January 20th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
The boy with the arab strap is their best album. Its just the vocals are amazing on it and the tunes are classics. Is it wicked not to care was one of the most beautiful songs i ever heard. The last album i only really liked funny little frog.
January 20th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Sleep the Clock Around on Arab Strap is hard to listen to after you hear it on BBC Sessions.
As for the band’s evolution, it seemed to me just from the sound and indeed from what the band said in the interviews they finally started doing that they were trying to make more radio-friendly music… which is just fine, really.
DCW got it just about right; sounded just enough old and new for old fans to embrace it. Life Pursuit, outside a couple of tracks (#2 especially), was a bit much for me.
January 20th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
@fastrnb idk.. its got womens realm, the model, theres too much love, chalet lines, dont leave the light on baby. i think their earlier albums are a bit more drab.
January 20th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
not to critique your opinions, but that album is usually considered their weakest work after Storytelling.
January 20th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
lol artificial interlaced scanning.
January 20th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
The bit where the guy falls asleep in the street is in Hyndland Road. Not sure about the rest but it’s not far from there.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
I’m from scotland and I used to live in the west end of glasgow. The bit near the end when the girl hides behind the wall is Cresswell Lane. You go there on google maps. The rest of it is around that area mostly to the west of there.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
oh, thank you.. are you from glasgow?
January 20th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
It’s glasgow’s west end.
January 20th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
are those the streets of Glasgow?
January 20th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
60’s a litle bit don’t you think?
January 20th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
why hasnt fold yours hands child you walk like a peasant been mentioned. personally i like that album more than any other
January 20th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
stuart is such a cutie
great song
January 20th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
does anyone else feel (despite lyrics) that this is a slower version of “Common People” by Pulp? perhaps an influence? it just struck me all of a sudden…
January 21st, 2010 at 12:53 am
Aristurtle, I recommend If You’re Feeling Sinister and Dear Catastrophe Waitress. If you’re still not sure listen to some of the B&S playlists on youtube (there are several with 30+ of their songs) and pick out the songs that you like, then look up which albums have them on wikipedia.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:02 am
this look like back in the days!!!
January 21st, 2010 at 1:24 am
aristurtle…they’re all amazing it doesnt really matter…altho my favourite has always been tigermilk
January 21st, 2010 at 1:35 am
cuando vienen por Peru, aca los queremos mucho
January 21st, 2010 at 2:10 am
Ive been trying to find this song for sooo long i was starting to think i imagined it!!!! Fist time ive heard it in like 10 years, what a track!
January 21st, 2010 at 2:42 am
Sinister and Arab Strap are key B&S albums!