Belle and Sebastian, the early years

I'm focusing on the early years because that's what I know. My first Belle and Sebastian album was If You're Felling Sinister or IYFS, to those in the know. Stars of Track and Field, the first song on the album was the first song that I heard. I bought it at Generation Records on Thompson St in the village by NYU, which was across the street from this girl I was sort of seeing. I bought it and brought it up to her place to listen. She questioned my purchase and I defended it. I don't remember how I heard about them. Maybe if I think on it, I will. Anyway, I remember not disliking it, which was good enough for me. Although I was expecting more female vocals. This was the summer of '98 and The Boy With the Arab Strap or TBWAS, again, for those in the know had not yet come out. September was the release date. I quickly processed IFYS, which is my way of saying that I listened to it enough to know if I liked it or not. I did and still do. Like I said, TBWAS came out in September and I got it right away and quickly processed it. Thumbs up. Then I got to see them on Nov. 1 at the Supper Club up on 42nd st, I think. I just found the ticket stub and it WAS Nov. 1 and it is on 47th st. It was a good show and I got to meet this guy Jonny because of it. Good times. I also ran into someone from Northwestern, I think.

Now I'll get to the music. As I said, IYFS starts of with The Stars of Track and Field and it's a strong start. I've linked to the BBC session version of the song, but you'll get the idea. Just bear in mind that it's not the album version. Me and the Major continues the good times very nicely. Fox In the Snow slows things down a bit. I don't know what the song is about it, but the lines "it's not as if they're paying you/ it's not as if it's fun, at least not anymore" strikes a cord. The video to which I linked is kind of interesting. The next song, Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying picks the mood right back up. Actually, the music is very upbeat and makes you want to tap your foot while you're getting ready to hand yourself. Take a listen and tell me you disagree. The album ends with Judy and the Dream of Horses, which is a nice song that takes advantage of the ensemble that is B&S. I've linked to a video of the song that will blow you're mind. This is a great album from a great band.

TBWAS, it took me awhile to figure out what people were writing about when they used that abbreviation, but after countless hours and hundreds of dollars, I did. There was no let down from album 1 to 2 for me. It's full of good shit. The highlights are Is It Wicked Not to Care featuring Isobel Campbell, Sleep the Clock Around, Dirty Dream Number Two, and Chickfactor, which is sung by Stevie Jackson. I realize I haven't even mentioned Stuart Murdoch, the creative force behind the band. I figured you would have read the AMG bio and already known about him.

Tigermilk is a school project that Stuart Murdoch completed in 1996 that had a limited release, but was so popular it was eventually re-released by Matador in 1999. It's funny, processing this album, which was their first, AFTER already being so well-versed in both IYFS and TBWAS. Tigermilk is so clearly B&S, obviously. It's not as mature as their second and thrid albums, but for a school project it's amazing. There are a number of songs that would fit right in on IYFS, such as Expectations, with it's complexity and violins. I like violins. Then there's songs like You're Just A Baby, which at times sound like a school project. For example, I was listening to Tigermilk and my wife, who hates B&S, asked if You're Just A Baby was a different, worse band. I think all of this serves to illustrate just how talented they are.

They have gone on to release many more albums, but I sort of stopped paying attention. I enjoy the new stuff that I hear, but I just feel like they don't need my anymore. I'm sure if I were to put the effort in I would fall in love all over again. However, for now I'm content to live with them in the late '90s.