***LET'S GET THE RANT OUT OF THE WAY FIRST*** Well, let me start by saying I am really annoyed about B&S's refusal to tour or release another single. "They've just decided to have a year off. The way things stand at the moment, there aren't going to be any dates this year or any more singles. They could change their minds next week, but I wouldn't hold your breath." quote Katrina House. (I presume) "That's the beauty of Belle And Sebastian" No, that's what REALLY bugs the fans, and gives slimly little toads like Steve Wells all his ammunition. I don't know why this irritates me so much, because here in New Zealand it's unlikely I'd ever see them play anyway, but I just have to ask myself "WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING?" Taking a break from the rigourous promotional duties from the last album. Oh, that's right - one bloody press conference and a 10 minute phone call to Steve Wells. And that was it. The album must have been finished about 4-6 months ago, so what have they been doing since then?I though Stevie was planning for more chart toppers? Obviously not huh? Enjoy your holiay, kids. I guess what bugs me about this is that it will be see as an archly indie guesture on their part. When in fact it isn't. It's the kind of thing bands like Def Leppard and Genesis can afford to do. Release an album every five years, and then disappear. A "real" indie band would be gigging, writing and making music. But to me this feels like Belle & Sebastian just cna't be bothered. They know sad bastards like us will hang off every beautiful note they record, will buy the new album on the day it comes out, so why try harder. I really am quite disappointed. it's not like the band owes me (or any of their fans) anything, I just think it ould be nice if the made some EFFORT. oh well ..... no "Lonliness of a Middle Distance Runner" single for me this year. (sigh) ***THE FIELD MICE*** Had 15 mails from people about yesterday's request. 14 said they were great, one said they were "ok". So I ordered the album ..... ***NICK DRAKE LIVE*** I met someone who saw Nick Drake play live! This middle aged guy who works at Borders here in Auckland. he's from the UK, and was really into all Joe Boyd's "Witchseason" stuff in the late 60's/early 70's. Anyway, he saw Nick Drake as a support act for someone. His story checked out too ... or at least, if he was lying, he at least went to the effort to read the biography before spinning the tale. Wow .... Nick Drake live, mmmmmmmm. (and does anyone think the person who played Titus Groan as a 17 year old in "Gormenghast" looks EXACTLY Like Nick?) ***STEPHEN "TIN TIN" DUFFY*** Much underrated. I have all The Lilac Time albums (you can get them dead cheap on eBay at times ...) and they're wonderful - especially "Paradise Circus". I'm sure many B&S fans would find something to enjoy in Lilac Time albums. ***DAPHNE & CELESTE*** I am thoroughly convinced that these girls have accomplished what Primal Scream have been *trying* to do for the last few years - make a subversive art-punk-disco record. And probably with the drugs. Gotta love those kids .... Well, goodnight everyone ... it's WAY past my bedtime. Lawrence Mikkelsen http://www.akn.quik.co.nz/mikelsen/aboutme +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the undead Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister@missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo@missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "peculiarly deranged fanbase" "frighteningly named +-+ +-+ Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+