I’d hate to choose just one. The title of this tune–and even more, the album–apparently really pissed off their fellow Glaswegian indie rockers, Arab Strap, who felt that B&S had tried to profit off their name.
Have you heard God Help the Girl, Stuart Murdoch’s latest project? I think it’s really nice!
S’right. I like their studio work, that’s where the magic is added. This is a nice song, but Gomez or Wilco could have written it. It reminds me of The Band or even The Greatful Dead. I like Young Folks even though it’s a “hit single”, the production is lush. They are very nice.
I guess if Yo La Tengo’s meticulous VU homages just don’t do it for you, and you’re terrified of going on record as sincerely enjoying the hyper-precious twee-pop that B&S are actually good at, then yeah, this is totally the shit.
I don’t know about twee, or pop, or gay, or whatever, but it’s essentially bland and redundant, at least as a live performance.
It has a very nice sensibility, soft, slightly bittersweet, but a couple of chords set to an aggressively understated shuffle beat do not, for me, make compelling music unless the musicians and singers are working hard to use that as a springboard to transcend its limitations.
Demerit points for self-consciously I’m-not-cool-which-is-why-I’m-cool rhythm guitarist.
One of the live versions from a UK TV show is as good as the album version, and if people don’t get it, they are broken humans fit only for consumption by tolerated but not beloved pets.
Oh fucking *snap*. No you in’t. You can hear this song anytime you strum your guitar and sing to yourself about the travails of being a Stockholm adolescent in a world where Nutella isn’t always accepted as sandwich worthy.
I’m totally with Pinko @4, at least 75% of the way.
Mind you, I do have some sympathy for those with no time for B&S. I like them a lot, but as Tbogg noted, you do have to dig though a lot of shite to find the diamonds (but then the diamonds, when found, are of the first water). Anyway, I’m more of a Calexico/Public Enemy/Stereolab/Jesus and Mary Chain man meself, even if I’m aware what a horrible all-the-kewl-kidz cliché that is.
I love Stereolab, but mostly when they are krautrocky but not loungey.
B&S are hit and miss, like the Smiths for some. The ones you like you really love, the ones you don’t can even be off-putting. I don’t think I have the last 3 B&S albums because I think they just started not being the band I liked from the first three albums (with many of the best songs being non-album tracks).
God, is THAT Belle and Sebastian? They’re horrible! I haven’t been that disappointed since I went and bought a copy of an album by The Smiths because Trouser Press said they were great.
Geez, you guys, you gotta get out more if this is what you think is good music.
Next you’re gonna tell us that Will Oldham is a genius.
August 6, 2009 at 8:44 pm
False. It is all about Piazza, New York Catcher.
August 6, 2009 at 8:51 pm
If we’re going there, I would even add wrapped up in books to the discussion
August 6, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I’d hate to choose just one. The title of this tune–and even more, the album–apparently really pissed off their fellow Glaswegian indie rockers, Arab Strap, who felt that B&S had tried to profit off their name.
Have you heard God Help the Girl, Stuart Murdoch’s latest project? I think it’s really nice!
August 6, 2009 at 11:52 pm
There is no doubt whatsoever that this is their best.
Runners up: State that I am In, Lazy Line Painter Jane, Stars of Track and Field, Is It Wicked Not to Care
August 8, 2009 at 11:52 am
Actually, I would put State that I am In at the top.
August 7, 2009 at 1:34 am
S’right. I like their studio work, that’s where the magic is added. This is a nice song, but Gomez or Wilco could have written it. It reminds me of The Band or even The Greatful Dead. I like Young Folks even though it’s a “hit single”, the production is lush. They are very nice.
August 7, 2009 at 2:29 am
OMG I totally confused Peter, Bjorn and Jon with Belle & Sebastian, how in the world could that happen? I just fact checked my ass.
Arcade Fire
Comets on Fire
High on Fire
August 7, 2009 at 1:38 am
I guess if Yo La Tengo’s meticulous VU homages just don’t do it for you, and you’re terrified of going on record as sincerely enjoying the hyper-precious twee-pop that B&S are actually good at, then yeah, this is totally the shit.
August 7, 2009 at 2:30 am
Yo La Tengo is awesome.
August 7, 2009 at 6:17 am
Big fan of this and the hyper-precious twee-pop, myself.
August 7, 2009 at 5:31 am
There is something very gay about this band’s music.
August 7, 2009 at 7:43 am
I don’t get why people call B&S, Devcemberists, and ARcade fire “Indie Rock.” They don’t sound much like Neutral Milk Hotel to me….
I mean, they’re aight, but Indie Rock is a sacred term. You can’t just throw it around willie nillie.
August 7, 2009 at 11:07 am
Indie rock fizzled out as it became practiced largely by people who reached adolescence after the invention of Prozac.
August 7, 2009 at 7:43 am
I don’t know about twee, or pop, or gay, or whatever, but it’s essentially bland and redundant, at least as a live performance.
It has a very nice sensibility, soft, slightly bittersweet, but a couple of chords set to an aggressively understated shuffle beat do not, for me, make compelling music unless the musicians and singers are working hard to use that as a springboard to transcend its limitations.
Demerit points for self-consciously I’m-not-cool-which-is-why-I’m-cool rhythm guitarist.
August 7, 2009 at 10:59 am
I’m with Kenmeer.
Far be it from me to harsh on anybody’s groove, but to me these guys are the musical equivalent of oatmeal.
August 7, 2009 at 11:26 am
The live version ain’t the greatest, but I couldn’t find a non-live video. And, dude, get the f off my mellow.
August 10, 2009 at 12:49 am
One of the live versions from a UK TV show is as good as the album version, and if people don’t get it, they are broken humans fit only for consumption by tolerated but not beloved pets.
August 7, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Oh fucking *snap*. No you in’t. You can hear this song anytime you strum your guitar and sing to yourself about the travails of being a Stockholm adolescent in a world where Nutella isn’t always accepted as sandwich worthy.
August 7, 2009 at 7:36 pm
And while we’re at it what the f**k is wrong with oatmeal!.
August 7, 2009 at 8:34 pm
If you call it “The What the fuck is wrong with Oatmeals” and add a jangly guitar, viola you’ve won a NME prize.
August 7, 2009 at 12:12 pm
This is their most fun song to hear at an actual concert. It’s not my favorite B&S song, but it’s the one I most want to hear when I’m at their show.
August 7, 2009 at 1:40 pm
This version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP87ky99o-I is much more fun. Shame it cuts off, they strung out the song and more people rushed the stage.
August 7, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Slightly OT, but I’ve become somewhat obsessed with this Arcade Fire cover of the old Serge Gainsbourg song “Poupee de Cire, Poupee de Son” (with which France Gall won the Eurovision Song Competition in 1965). Belle & Sebastian also covered it, but their cover pretty much sucks.
I love B&S, but yé-yé is not their thing.
August 8, 2009 at 10:26 am
I’m totally with Pinko @4, at least 75% of the way.
Mind you, I do have some sympathy for those with no time for B&S. I like them a lot, but as Tbogg noted, you do have to dig though a lot of shite to find the diamonds (but then the diamonds, when found, are of the first water). Anyway, I’m more of a Calexico/Public Enemy/Stereolab/Jesus and Mary Chain man meself, even if I’m aware what a horrible all-the-kewl-kidz cliché that is.
August 10, 2009 at 12:52 am
I love Stereolab, but mostly when they are krautrocky but not loungey.
B&S are hit and miss, like the Smiths for some. The ones you like you really love, the ones you don’t can even be off-putting. I don’t think I have the last 3 B&S albums because I think they just started not being the band I liked from the first three albums (with many of the best songs being non-album tracks).
August 10, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Sometimes I’m all about the muthafuckin’ TWEE, yo!
State I am In is the nucklar baum compared to this serve, howevs.
August 12, 2009 at 2:31 pm
God, is THAT Belle and Sebastian? They’re horrible! I haven’t been that disappointed since I went and bought a copy of an album by The Smiths because Trouser Press said they were great.
Geez, you guys, you gotta get out more if this is what you think is good music.
Next you’re gonna tell us that Will Oldham is a genius.