i haven't really liked any albums since dear catastrophe--and even that's a stretch--but their EP work is the best of any band i can think of. probably half of my top 15 belle and sebastian songs are off of EP's.
a celebratory list of brilliant EP tracks from belle and sebastian:
dog on wheels
the state i am in (even though this was also on tigermilk)
string bean jean
belle and sebastian
lazy line painter jane
you made me forget my dreams
a century of fakers
beautiful
winter wooskie
i'm waking up
marx & engels...
...that's a damn fine track record.
i have a sneaking suspicion that the next B&S record will be their best work since arab strap. not sure why.
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Ok, just remember this is my opinion and YOU asked for it:
Belle and Sebastian to me are students of The Velvet Underground music who lack the talent and innovation to become anything significant. First off the vocals are horrible, the guitar playing is primitive, dull and lifeless. Now I am not saying I do not like any of their music, I like a song here and there. For example why can’t they make more songs like "sleep around the clock", songs that are different from their other material. One thing I cannot stand about certain bands (like Belle and Sebastian and their twin : Lady and Bird) is lack of versatility, seems like a good 80% of the songs I’ve heard is the typical poorly written dirge with extremely repetitive and dynamic lacking structure (accompanied with awful vocals). Of course maybe I’ve just heard the wrong songs, recommendations are welcome.
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Last edited by 2D_MASTER on May 31st, 2007 at 11:15 PM
not to be overly contentious, but belle and sebastian have almost nothing in common with the velvet underground. they're much more in line with burt bacharach and the like. as for the guitar playing, vocals, and your example of "sleep the clock around" as a good belle and sebastian song, i think it's safe to say that you don't "get it". get it?
stuart murdoch is lyrically brilliant, melodically talented, and twee as ****. what a guy.
Gender: Male Location: ' I AM in a world..of shit. '
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Just because YOU cant see it, does not mean the OBVIOUS influence is'nt there. They even covered "sunday morning" for crying out loud. I am sure any other Belle and Sebastian fan would have no problem siting Velvet underground as primary B & S influence.
(sorry that i double posted, I'm a fawk-up)
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Last edited by 2D_MASTER on Jun 1st, 2007 at 02:15 PM
please. explain what elements of the velvet underground are present in belle and sebastian. i see a little bit of "loaded", but that's not the sound people generally associate with velvet underground.
the "it" isn't exactly complicated. the guitar playing IS primitive, the vocals ARE thin and wimpy. that's the point. think beat happening or any other twee/lo-fi band. moreover, belle and sebastian fans haven't been an elite few since dear catastrophe. you want to talk "elite few", that's cool blue halo fans. or cub fans. or 14 iced bears fans. belle is actually pretty big.