Belle and Sebastian
Country of origin:
Scotland
Type of music generally:
Alternative pop
Status:
Most recent release, Days of the Bagnold Summer (2019)
See also:
Belle and Sebastian's site
Comparisons:
Nick Drake, Donovan, The Housemartins, The Beatles, The SmithsReminds me of Style Council without the jazz influence. The Jam without the punk. Heck, it might even BE Paul Weller. (Horter3)
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
the band BELLE AND SEBASTIAN actually did name themselves after the old cartoon, and got permission from the cartoonist for it. they are fans themselves of the cartoon, and their music is quite wonderful. i have to admit that i have never seen the cartoon and hence have no references for that. but i highly recommend BELLE AND SEBASTIAN for anyone who likes slightly twee, very british sounding, indie pop music. though they do some more experimental spoken wordy things on their albums, the majority of the music is pretty twee britpop sounding music, with quite thoughtprovoking lyrics. they have developed quite a loyal following and were recently nominated (with some controversy) as best newcoming band in the brit awards i do believe.
i tend to listen to them a lot, and randomly rave about them. they are probably my new drug of choice at the moment. musically they are akin to a mellow version of the HOUSEMARTINS perhaps, but their lyrics are amazingly thoughtprovoking, and so damn catchy. damn fine music. (iflin@speakeasy.net)they are amazing, folky, '60s pop, Nick Drake, Donovanish. (nnadel@hotmail.com)
Recommended first album:
If You're Feeling Sinister
Recordings:
- Tigermilk (1996)
- If You're Feeling Sinister (1996)
- The Boy with the Arab Strap (1998)
- Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant (2000)
- Storytelling (2002)
- Dear Catastrophe Waitress (2003)
- Push Barman to Open Old Wounds (2005)
- The Life Pursuit (2006)
- Belle and Sebastian Write About Love (2010)
- Third Eye Centre (2013)
- Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance (2015)
- How To Solve Our Human Problems (Part 1) (EP, 2018)
- How To Solve Our Human Problems (Part 2) (EP, 2018)
- How To Solve Our Human Problems (Part 3) (EP, 2018)
- Days of the Bagnold Summer (2019)
Tigermilk
Release info:
1996—Electric Honey; re-released 1999 Jeepster
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Stuart Murdoch—vocals, guitar
Stuart David—bass
Isobel Campbell—cello
Chris Geddes—keyboards, piano
Richard Colburn—drums
Stevie Jackson—guitar
Mick Cooke—trumpet
Produced by:
Alan Rankine
Comments:
if you haven't discovered this lyrical, melodic, poppy band check this out. (nnadel@hotmail.com)
If You're Feeling Sinister
Release info:
1996—Jeepster (U.K.), Matador (U.S.)
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Stuart Murdoch—vocals, guitar, piano
Stuart David—bass
Isobel Campbell—cello, vocals, percussion, recorder
Chris Geddes—keyboards, piano
Richard Colburn—drums
Stevie Jackson—guitar, vocals
Sarah Martin—violin, recorder, percussion
Mick Cooke—trumpet
Produced by:
Tony Doogan
Comments:
And I picked up Belle and Sebastian a few weeks ago. I had only heard one of the radio tracks ("like Dylan in the movies") and picked it up after seeing it mentioned on so many top 10 lists locally. Great songwriting. Especially the title track, "If you're feeling sinister." (Horter3)wonderful melancholic wry songwriting. their album IF YOU'RE FEELING SINISTER is one of my favorite discoveries of this year. (iflin@speakeasy.net)
Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant
Release info:
2000—Jeepster
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Stuart Murdoch—vocals, guitar, piano
Stuart David—bass
Isobel Campbell—cello, vocals, percussion, recorder
Chris Geddes—keyboards, piano
Richard Colburn—drums
Stevie Jackson—guitar, vocals
Sarah Martin—violin, recorder, percussion, vocals
Mick Cooke—trumpet
Produced by:
Tony Doogan
Comments:
Not their best, (that would be If Your Feeling Sinister) but definitely great and a worthy addition to their impressive disography. Anyone who's not into this band owes it to themselves to check it out. This is what pop music is all about. Nick Drake, Beatles, Smiths, it's all there. (nnadel@hotmail.com)
The Life Pursuit (2006)
Release info:
2006—Rough Trade/Matador
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Stuart Murdoch—vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, keyboards
Stevie Jackson—vocals, electric and acoustic guitar
Chris Geddes—keyboards
Richard Colburn—drums
Sarah Martin—violin, keyboards, electric and acoustic guitar, vocals
Mick Cooke—trumpet, bass
Bobby Kildea—guitar, bass
Produced by:
Tony Hoffer
Comments:
One of the best of 2006. (lasherboy@gmail.com)
