...a letdown. Forgive me, my Belle & Sebastian brothers and sisters, for being the bearer of bad tidings, but I'm here to declare the music on the new album, "Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant," as strange and vexing as its title. 'Tis true. For my money, and for my listening pleasure, this is by FAR the weakest and most demanding of Belle & Sebastian's collection of music. Oh, by the way, if you're wondering how I've already heard the entire album, it's available to download, in its full length glorylessness, on Napster.com. I'll admit that I was absolutely thrilled to discover the album there, waiting for me to tap a few keys and wait a few moments as it downloaded, but sorrow came, as Morrissey proclaimed, in the end. The first song I listened to was "Beyond the Sunrise," and much to my displeasure, it featured Isobelle. Now, don't get me wrong, I think Isobelle's pipes do just fine on "Is it Wicked.." and "The Gate," but beyond that I'm perplexed as to why they let her sing. I can't take her voice for very long. It's frail and it's weak, and it grates on the nerves. At times, her vocals strain to come through the speakers.. and when it does, I can't say that's a good thing. Anyway, "Beyond the Sunrise" is more like an Olden Ballad of Yore that explores Ancient Themes, and sounds more like a Biblical Folk Song than anything else. Next song I listened to was "Don't Leave the Lights On Baby," and this is far and away the best song on the album. For me, anyway. I'm sure you'll all have your say as to which of these rather disappointing songs is the "best," as you're all entitled to, indeed, but I think many of you will come to agree that this is the only genuine sparkler. Very moody song, groovy "Air" like melodies and keyboard. Rises to a wonderful chorus. "The Model" is a catchy little ditty that effectively uses the oft under appreciated harpsichord... in fact, one of the few songs in the pop anthology to use it at all, it seems. This is one of the other few songs on the album I enjoyed. For all the chatter and clatter behind "Chalet Lines," the song itself is mediocre by this band's usually fine standards. Something tells me a handful of you will be hoisting this song up to inflated proportions, claiming it gorgeous.. but.. ahem.. it AINT. =( "I Fought In A War" is dark and mysterious, with a very pretty riff and moving story - along the lines of "Stars of Track and Field," but fails to live up to the splendour of THAT song.. "Nice Day For A Sulk" is the sound of Stuart Murdoch masturbating musically. It's a throw-away. Too simple. Could've easily composed this one while in the loo, on the toilet, scratching his head for album filler. Some will say it's classic B&S, others will be smarter and say it's a waste of precious album space. "The Wrong Girl" and "Woman's Realm" are easy on the ears - pleasant enough to bear repeated listens.. yet I think you'll all agree that there's simply something missing this time around. The songs are all very well established in that wonderful B&S style, rife with stirring cello, delightful flute, occasional toy piano, and such.. but the magic is somehow absent.. the sounds just doesn't seem to jibe and jive on this effort. It's a disheartening thing to witness, the slight lapse of imagination and creative genius.. I did NOT go into this album with enormous expectations, nor do I think the band infallible. But by anyone's standards, this album is not the sound of a band that has reached their creative zenith. It is instead, the sound of a band shambling through songs that took either too long or too quick to create, and has either lost focus, or wanted to enjoy themsleves just throwing whatever together. It's not an easy listen, and it's not what you're all expecting. Many of you called "The Boy With the Arab Strap" a let down.. I can only cringe to think of what you'll dub this one. Again, I'm sorry to be the bearer of such bad tidings. xoxoxoxo Jarrod San Angel ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ 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 +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+