Hello, all. I know you've been worried sick about me, but I've been okay. For some reason (I won't go accusing people of writing in to get me off the list, even though we all know that's what happened and they're after me again because I know too much, etc.), I just simply stopped getting those lovely digests. At first I thought maybe things had just died down a bit for silent appreciation of the horns in "Slow Graffiti", but then I realized, "Surely *someone* must have something to say about nothing of interest." Sure enough, I'd gotten the boot for what was mostly likely just a mechanical glitch. Strangely enough, I manged to do without pretty damn well, considering. I was exiled to the strange land of "Winston-Salem", where I watched TV and was hungry at no point for two whole days. I saw a documentary about Metallica and watched Maryland lose to Kentucky. One of those things made me sad. What brings me here is a guide to liking those B&S songs you don't like. I normally wouldn't touch this topic with a disinfected baseball bat, but the best thing about B&S to me is...well, I'm picky. Very, very picky. I drive my friends nuts when we discuss music, because nothing is good enough for me. And I don't think B&S have set a single foot wrong. Sure, they've made a few weird, possibly ill-advised decisions, but none of their songs are "appalling" or even bad. The only thing is, it's sometimes a challenge to find the treat inside the cracker-jack box that is every B&S song. So, a little help on some of the more difficult ones: * Fox in the Snow: Turn the volume up to a ludicrous level, sit somewhere where you won't be disturbed, and if the first 20 seconds don't make you swoon...well, there's really nothing that anyone can do for you. You may as well just end it all right now. * This is Just a Modern Sock Bong: This one you have to put in the "60's folk-pop" category. It's got that old folky verse-after-verse arrangement to it, but then it's got these oblique '90's lyrics. And if you think Stevie sounds anything less than angelic, then you need to be re-examined, because "subject is able to function in normal society" was obviously a mis-diagnosis. Plus, you can at least appreciate it for one of the best closing lines EVER since "Frank Mills". If this doesn't help, give up on music. Sell your collection back and buy knitting supplies. * The Boy Done Wrong Again: Sure, it isn't the most *exciting* song they've ever done, but if you use the same technique that you've already used to appreciate Fox In the Snow, you should be well on your way to appreciating it as simply "pretty". If the concept of appreciating things simply because they're pretty bothers you, then you're obviously very ugly and bitter about it. Join the Korn email list. They probably *love* talking about stuff they think sucks. * You Made Me Forget My Dreams: "You Made Some People Forget to Have Good Taste" more like! Do I have to come over there and shake you?! Look: a) the ending, b) the lyrics (try reading the booklet this time), c) "There was blood on the sheets again". Have you actually *listened* to this song or are you just trying to be popular and go along with what the kids at the back of the bus are saying? They don't really like you anyway. They're just pretending to be your friend so they can swim in your pool. Sucker. * "Chickfactor": Of ferchristsakes! It's the music, not the lyrics. This one...I can see the problems with it, but Isobel said in her interview in Chickfactor (ooh, how appropriate!) that she considers her cello part in it to be the best part she's ever come up with, and if you have a problem with that, then keep looking over your shoulder, because Lesley has a crowbar she calls "Friend of Izzy" that helps her 'fix' Ms. Cambell's critics. Oh, never mind...you can dislike this song if you want. I'll give you permission *and* a laminated Hate pass. * The Gate: remember that '60's song that goes "I think it's so groovy now that people are finally getting together"? They played it before they came on in Athens. This song is like that one. Don't try to compare it to Stars of Track and Field or State That I Am In or anything else. It is, like Chickfactor, totally unique. And it's still a good song. What's my point? Oh, I don't know. I get to go home now and make Christmas cookies. Oodles of sarcastic love, Reid +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list please mail "sinister@majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo@majordomo.net". For list archives and searching, list rules, FAQ, poor jokes etc, see http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +---+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" +---+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+