Belle & Sebastian - Belle & Sebastian Write About Love - 11.10.10

I hadn't heard too much of Belle and Sebastian, so decided to have a quick look through their back catalogue and listen to their new album. Here's what I thought:

Belle and Sebastian have always been one of those bands who are critically acclaimed, if not overly successful in the charts. The Glasgow band have won over plenty of writers with their brand of so-called ‘wistful pop’, but have maybe not cracked it commercially; their best-selling album reaching eighth. But as you and I know, chart sales aren’t everything, and whereas their latest release ‘Belle & Sebastian Write About Love’ probably won’t break that tradition, it is a fine piece of work.

They have carved their place in the world of music with a multi-instrumental bright style of indie pop, sort of a happier update on The Smiths, and ‘Write About Love’ is a great example of their talents. ‘I Didn’t See It Coming’, as the album opener, is brilliant at this. Atmospheric from the off, Sarah Martin’s dreamy vocals and a catchy beat build up to a euphoric end – ‘Make me dance/I want to surrender’. And the tracks follow in suit.

‘Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John’ sees singer Norah Jones and Stuart Murdoch speak of a love destined to fail, and the most relaxing moment comes in the chilled and seductive ‘Calculating Bimbo’. Lead single ‘Write About Love’, featuring vocals from actress Carey Mulligan, is the most radio-friendly track with a bold riff, followed by ‘I’m Not Living In The Real World’; with an almost irresistible modern guitar pop feel and school choir backing.

It’s quite hard to pick a favourite from a set of beautifully constructed songs. ‘I Want the World To Stop’ makes a good case; instantly catchy, full of momentum and an enticing lyric to build into an intelligent pop tune. ‘I Can See Your Future’ evolves into an optimistic epiphany with deceptively dark words, and ‘Read The Blessed Pages’ is an acoustic wonder with soothing Murdoch vocals and a medieval-esque instrumental. ‘Sunday’s Pretty Icons’ is the upbeat yet melancholy album ender that perfectly seals an endlessly interesting record.

As with most releases though, there are a few dull moments. ‘Come On Sister’ is one of the more forgettable tracks, almost saved by an appealing keyboard driven beat but it falls behind the better musical moments on show here. ‘The Ghost of Rockschool’, with all its religious imagery, lumbers along and gets lost in itself. But these don’t detract from what is a very pleasing album.

The critics will no doubt enjoy ‘Belle & Sebastian Write About Love’, with the Glasgow septuplet producing another well-built and intelligent record. Every track is lovingly produced and beautifully delivered and it makes for an extremely pleasurable listen. Some may consider it boring, falling straight back into the category of boring indie crap, but this inventive album deserves more than that.

I gave it a chance and really enjoyed it, you should give it a go too. Here's probably my favourite track 'I Want The World To Stop' for your enjoyment. (P.S. Ignore the boring Scottish guy at the start).

NWR