Belle And Sebastian - Days Of The Bagnold Summer (Matador, 2019)

Belle And Sebastian
Days Of The Bagnold Summer
Matador
2019

Rating: 7.5 long-haired gravity bongs out of 10

Is a movie soundtrack also considered a new album if only one band is responsible for every song on the soundtrack, as is the case here with “Days Of The Bagnold Summer” by Belle And Sebastian?  I think most would say yes, assuming the plurality of the material is of the “typical song” variety.  But what if that material is a mix of new and old songs, does it still count as a proper release?  Well, now we’re getting into murkier water, but as the lone judge in this particular collection of word vomit, I’m going to narrowly rule in favor of this counting as a proper release.  Also, not one bit of this fucking matters, but at the same time this is the sort of shit that I will ruminate on for hours on end.  My brain might be broken.  Twenty five years into my fandom and I’m still not sure if it’s Belle “And” Sebastian or Belle “&” Sebastian, and for some reason this matters.   

And before you waste the same amount of time I have trying to sort out what the hell “Bagnold” means, apparently it’s the last name of a famous English playwright (Enid Bagnold), and knowing that has gotten me no closer to the definition.  I suppose you’ll have to watch the movie, which I’m sure I will eventually.  For now I’m just going to assume it means “stodgy & verbose,” since that’s the first thing I think of when an English playwright comes to mind.  The movie is based on a graphic novel of the same name, and seemingly has no connection to ol’ Enid.  The world is a confusing place sometimes. 

Rambling aside, let’s say at least a couple of things about the actual music…if you’re a fan of B&S you’re already aware of “I Know Where The Summer Goes,” and you sure as shit know one of their most famous songs of all time, “Get Me Away From Here I’m Dying” – the versions of these two tracks are slightly different here, new recordings and all that, but basically the same.  Of the other tracks, the one that really stood out on the first few listens was “Safety Valve” – my initial reaction was it sounded A LOT like it would fit right in with the very early B&S records.  Turns out, according to band leader Stuart Murdoch, it’s actually one of the oldest songs the band ever wrote and recorded, but I guess it just never found its way to a proper release.  The instrumental track “Jill Pole” reminds me heavily of John Barry’s “Midnight Cowboy” theme song (excellently covered by Faith No More in my high school years, which is why I know the song so damn well).  The two tracks aren’t exactly the same, but they sound like they could be siblings.  Plus there’s “Sister Buddha,” which feels like an old song because they’ve been playing it live for a while, but apparently this is the first official recording of it. 

“Days Of The Bagnold Summer” is a good record.  It doesn’t quite feel like a regular album, nor does it feel like a soundtrack either.  It also feels both new and old at the same time, for obvious reasons.  This is a no-brainer for long time fans, but also stands on its own for any lost soul that might find the group via this route. 

Belle & Sebastian - How To Solve Our Human Problems (Matador, 2018)

Belle & Sebastian

How To Solve Our Human Problems

Matador

2018

 

Rating: 6.5 rusty frying pans out of 10

 

1.    Technically the new Belle & Sebastian release “How To Solve Human Problems” is three EPs and not one single album, but I’m reviewing the whole lot at once because:

a.     I’m lazy. 

b.     I’m always going to listen to this as an entire single record, not three small ones. 

2.     There are a number of good songs here, but on the whole I’m not super enamored with this…hopefully it will grow on me.  You can’t win them all…I’ve consider myself a pretty big fan, but I’ve still barely listened to “Storytelling.” 

a.       For the record, those good songs include:

                                                               i.      We Were Beautiful

                                                             ii.      The Girl Doesn’t Get It

                                                            iii.      Everything IS Now (Part Two)

3.     It feels like this is the least Stuart Murdoch has ever sang on one of their releases.  Feels like a lot more lead vocals from the other band members…I love Stevie and the rest of them, but Stuart is the main draw here and let’s not lose sight of that. 

4.     Is this a much dancier record than in the past?  I may have said the same thing with 2014’s “The Party Line.”  Maybe it’s just the dancey songs that stand out and that’s why I feel that way.  Or maybe I’m an idiot.   

5.     My list-based OCD is forcing me to put a fifth entry even though I don’t have anything else to say. 

Belle and Sebastian - The Blues Are Still Blue 7'' (Rough Trade, 2006)

Belle and Sebastian
The Blues Are Still Blue 7''
Rough Trade
2006

Rating: 7 hillbilly pot farms out of 10

Not my favorite Belle and Sebastian single, but worth having nonetheless.  Fittingly, this is on blue vinyl.  The title song can also be found on "The Life Pursuit" - I wasn't super into this song at first, or really this album, but it has grown on me quite a bit over the years.  The other side, "Whiskey in the Jar," feels more like an idea for a song than a fully fleshed out one.  Not terrible, just not really anything.  It was never included in any of their b-sides comps, and I've never heard it live, so I'm guessing the band isn't nuts about it either. 

Belle and Sebastian - Funny Little Frog 7'' (Rough Trade, 2006)

Belle and Sebastian
Funny Little Frog 7''
Rough Trade
2006

Rating: 8 red convertibles out of 10

"Funny Little Frog" is one of the best songs/singles Belle and Sebastian have recorded in their late period*. It is not uncommon for this to be stuck in my head at any given time, or even all of the time.  The track can also be found on the album "The Life Pursuit."  The b-side, "The Eighth Station of the Cross Kebab House" sounds so much like a Madness song that I had to verify that it actually wasn't one (it's not).  In addition to here, it can also be found on their singles comp "The Third Eye Centre" as well as some charity benefit that it was originally written for.   

*The early period was everything up to and including "Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant"; the late period is everything from "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" to present day.  These delineations exist only in my head because I've listened to this band so damn much.

Looper - Impossible Things 7'' (Sub Pop, 1998)

Looper
Impossible Things 7''
Sub Pop
1998

Rating: 5 fat red-headed girls out of 10

To be totally honest, I only bought this Looper record because it was dollar and it has a Belle & Sebastian connection.  Both tracks sound like pop versions of something Arab Strap would have done.  I love the Strap but I'm not sure there was ever a need for another like them. 

Belle and Sebastian - Live 2015 (Concert Live, 2015)

Belle and Sebastian
Live 2015
Concert Live
2015

Rating: <insert photo of baby duck here>

Belle and Sebastian released a live album via their website recently (CD only, cross your fingers for an eventual vinyl release), and being that I love all things B&S I had to acquire it via the internets.  It was recorded at SECC Hydro in Glasgow, and they did it with the help of the Scottish Festival Orchestra.  The set list is damn near impeccable and does a great job of hitting highlights from across their career...shit, look it up if you don't believe me.  The epic medley of "Boy with the Arab Strap" and "Legal Man" followed by "Sleep the Clock Around" are worth the price of admission alone.  The whole thing clocks in at about an hour and fifty minutes long, and I have no idea why they decided to span that over three discs, but they did.  I would say that any fan of the band needs to hunt this down, but knowing their fanbase they already have. 

Belle and Sebastian - Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance (Matador, 2015)

Belle and Sebastian
Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
Matador
2015

Rating: 8.5 lenticular trading cards out of 10

I thought I had already written a review of this new Belle and Sebastian record a few weeks ago, and yet I don't see it here on the website?  Did I dream this?  Maybe it was one of those fever dreams you always hear about in the movies?  After all, this template autosaves the shit you write into it, so I have no explanation. 

Anyways, it's the band's first new record in five years and their ninth full-length by my count, and they still haven't lost that magic touch.  Bear in mind that the person reviewing this has flown both to Montreal and Miami just to see them perform, and I'm driving to DC for the same in a few months...I often claim I'm fairly biased in reviews, but my superfandom of B&S might put them at the top of the list. 

To put it simply, "Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance" sounds like the band wrote and recorded a typical album, and then decided to throw some dance jams in to appeal to the kids.  Kids love dance jams right?  First there is the disco-infused "The Party Line," then the New Order-esque "Enter Sylvia Plath," and finally the calypso-infused "Play for Today" that sounds like it would be at home on a film soundtrack from the eighties (not that there's anything wrong with that).  The film would most likely star Andrew McCarthy.  I like those upbeat tracks just fine, but the two best and most classic-style B&S songs are the first two on the release, "Nobody's Empire" and "Allie."  "Ever Had a Little Faith?" towards the end of the record is also a strong classic-sounding song.  Not a dud on the whole thing though, which continues the bands streak of never ever releasing a bad song.  Listen, I already told you I'm kind of a fan...

Belle and Sebastian - The Third Eye Centre (Matador, 2013)

Belle and Sebastian
The Third Eye Centre
Matador
2013

Rating: 8 marine parks out of 10

This is the second singles compilation from Belle and Sebastian, following 2005's "Push Barman to Open Old Wounds."  And by "singles" I mean all the songs that weren't on their regular full-length albums.  I love these collections, because not only does it make it easy on us fans who haven't kept up with the smaller releases, but it's a whole lot easier to listen to them as a long player rather than flipping seven inches over after every song.  Sure, it's not a cohesive "album" where each tracks plays nicely into the next, but it's still a great group of songs.  You get some interesting remixes ("I'm a Cuckoo," "Your Cover's Blown," etc.), some great tracks that totally should have been on their regular records ("Suicide Girl," "Your Secrets," "I Believe in Travelin' Light," etc.) and even some strange business (their attempt at second wave ska, "The Eighth Station Of The Cross Kebab House," and it's a decent effort).  This is a must for any fans, and good enough to stand on it's own for newcomers. 

Belle and Sebastian - Last Trip 7'' (Matador, 2010)

Belle and Sebastian
Last Trip 7''
Matador
2010

Rating: 8.5 pleasing pizzas out of 10

This Belle and Sebastian seven inch came with the purchase of their album "Write About Love," though I recently grabbed it out of the bargain bin at Amoeba in LA. I'm an unabashed lover of this band so it should come as no surprise that I love both tracks here, both the title track and the flip side "Suicide Girl."  At the time these songs were exclusive to this seven inch, but the band has since released "Third Eye Centre," a collection of b-sides and other detritus.  You can grab this one pretty cheap though if that's your bag. 

Belle & Sebastian - Come on Sister EP (Matador, 2011)

Belle & Sebastian

Come on Sister EP

Matador

2011

Rating: 5 church bracelets out of 10

This Belle & Sebastian EP is definitely only for the super fans who have to have a copy of everything.  It contains three "reworkings" of two different songs from their last album "Write About Love" - all of which are but none of which are necessary.  The final song "Blue Eyes of a Millionaire" appears to be an unreleased track, and is quite great - though a track from the recording sessions of their last LP, it feels like a classic outing by the band.  So maybe make a point to download that song, but the rest of it?  You ain't missing much.

Belle & Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress (Rough Trade, 2003)

Belle & Sebastian
Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Rough Trade
2003

Rating: 7 slutty secretaries out of 10

Since this is the first album for Belle & Sebastian on a label other than Matador and without mainstay member Isobel Campbell (who has released her own solo CD which is quite good), the expectations and anticipations were varied as to what the outcome of this new record might be. And I was relieved to discover - it’s great. Some fans may be disappointed with the new direction of some of the songs (lots of horns! Upbeat songs! ELO influence! Trevor Horn production!), but I feel there’s not only enough of the classic B&S flavor for us old timers, but I actually like the new material as well. There are a number of quality tracks – ‘Wrapped Up In Books”, “Step into My Office, Baby”, “Dear Catastrophe Waitress”, and most importantly “I’m a Cuckoo”, which is probably my favorite song by them since their early days. Although not their best record (if you’re new to the group go pick up “Tigermilk” or “If You’re Feeling Sinister”, two of the greatest pop releases of the last 10 years), it certainly stands up to most of their other releases and is obviously better than that “storytelling” fiasco.