a vast crowd that includes the Beatles, the Tindersticks, Nick Drake, the Smiths, Paul Simon, and the Lovin' Spoonful.

Paul Simon? Where did that one come from? anyone got any thoughts?

Paul Simon is a huge influence on Belle and Sebastian, and I credit this reviewer for pointing it out. Paul Simon is a storyteller, a narrator and Belle and Sebastian songs are full of narratives of a similar feel... I feel like this puts them very lyrically influenced by Paul Simon. Nick Drake's lyrics seem more full of self reflection and pictures being painted. I am sitting here listening to the new Paul Simon record, songs from his upcoming musical, "The Capeman" and some of these songs move me in exactly the same way that Belle and Sebastian does. I urge you all to drop any prejudices you may have, and give this record a listen when it comes out next month. One of my favorite moments on IYFS, is "the snow is falling" section at the end of Me and the Major which to me is more reminiscent of Paul Simon than anyone else. Of course, when you discuss artists that began recording in the mid sixties, like Bob Dylan, the Beatles, and Paul Simon, their influences are so ingrained in every thing we listen to that it does become a bit blurry. Sorry to go on and on but the timing of this post coinciding with what I was listening to spurred me on. matrix ----------------------------------------------------------------------- . This message was brought to you by the Sinister mailing list. . To send to the list please mail "sinister@majordomo.net". . For subscribing, unsubscribing and other list information please see . http://www.majordomo.net/sinister . For questions about how the list works mail owner-sinister@majordomo.net -----------------------------------------------------------------------