-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
From 2003's Dear Catastropher Waitress, another B&S meditation on the loneliness of a middle distance runner.
More >
14
MOG it up!
Belle & Sebastian
Dear Catastrophe Waitress
-
AMG Review of Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music GuideAfter the near-disaster of forced democracy on Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant and the stultifying holding pattern of the Storytelling soundtrack, where Todd Solondz brought out their worst tendencies, it seemed that Belle & Sebastian were disappearing into their own preciousness, but then something unexpected happened: they returned to form with 2003's Dear Catastrophe Waitress. This was unexpected not just because their last efforts suggested that B&S no longer could produce a consistently engaging work, but because their savior came in the guise of Trevor Horn, the man who successfully helped Yes turn /p>
ew wave, the man best known for his synth-heavy productions of ABC and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, the man who was last heard producing everybody's favorite Russian teen lesbian duo, Tatu. That diverse resumé suggests that Horn knows how to play to a band's strengths, and he certainly helps Belle & Sebastian regain their focus and vision, turning Dear Catastrophe Waitress into one of the group's best albums. One of the reasons that album works so well is that the notion that the band has no leader has been discarded, with Stuart Murdoch thankfully serving as the lead singer and songwriter throughout the record. Murdoch's songs are firmly within the patented Belle & Sebastian style, and while it may be true that he's not stretching himself much as a writer, that doesn't matter because he sounds assured and confident, turning out a set of songs that are finely crafted and tuneful. It's among his catchiest work, if not quite his cleverest, since the words occasionally offer an overdose of whimsy that leads to queasiness. And that's where Horn comes in -- by keeping the focus on the tunes and subtly varying the production, he's made Dear Catastrophe Waitress the richest musical offering yet from Belle & Sebastian. If it doesn't quite have the timeless feel of If You're Feeling Sinister, so be it, since this is their first record since that defining album to offer a similarly rich listen, and that's quite a comeback for a band that only an album ago seemed to peak too early.
Video of the Day: Belle & Sebastian - "I'm a Cuckoo"
My Bad.....
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
Well, it's been far to long since I've done anything. Apps are destroying my life. At least I've got the hard ones done. Seems like time for a video post....
More >
tomorrow a virgin will be mine
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
I have had a rough go of it as of late. My kids at school have been acting a little weird but the main thorn in my side has been my recent car accident. I am feeling the aches of it daily, and I already miss the car that was once mine.Today though I took the first step to a new life and that was when I picked up my new car after work. It is not new in the sense of brand new, but it is new to me...
More >
Something for the (open-space) office worker
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
[Belle & Sebastian - Step Into My Office, Baby / 4:14]Here's something for those who need to prove their productivity while doing nothing.Wouldn't work be so much more interesting if one were paid for making charts and presentations - pie and other tarts- like the ones below?Because all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy let's play, shall we. -- Can you name the songs represented by the gr...
More >
Good Advice
Video of the Day: Belle & Sebastian - "I'm a Cuckoo"
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
From 2003's Dear Catastropher Waitress, another B&S meditation on the loneliness of a middle distance runner.
More >
14
MOG it up!
My Bad.....
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
Well, it's been far to long since I've done anything. Apps are destroying my life. At least I've got the hard ones done. Seems like time for a video post....
More >
Belle & Sebastian - Step Into My Office, Baby
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
I find this song interesting. Conceptually and lyrically.Nice harmonies.
More >
Kind of lame, but what's your favorite Belle & Sebastian song?
-
Artist:
-
Album:
-
Track:
I'm in love with I'm a Cuckoo.Just for today.
More >
 "Dear Catastrophe Waitress")
