Ah, the Backlash. It was inevitable, and indeed I knew it would come from the very first line of my previous email. Since rattling off that less than pleasant portrait of the forthcoming release from our Glaswegian heroes, I've been informed that there is some sort of "strict don't ask, don't tell policy" regarding opinions and reviews. As I'm a fairweather contributor to the list (nay, nevercontributor is more like it.. I think this last post was my very first!), I was unaware of the so called Policy, and I do apologize for breaking it. However, in hindsight, I cannot say that I at all regret writing the critique, as people have a right to know, fans & "disciples" included, whether the new release is genius or maddness - or, as I believe, somewhere in between. Alas, I fear that the masses will now stone me, in their own acid-laced writings to me, as if this were some sort of religious affair, and I was guilty of the worst blasphemy. Please, make up your own minds, and disregard my opinions, if you like. Whence the album hits the stores, it is certain that this list will be cluttered - chock full of every kind of review imaginable. I'd like to think that the Sinisterians here are intelligent folk, and open minded individuals who don't discredit or beat down the occassional challenge to conventional belief. Yes, Belle and Sebastian are a fan-fucking-tastic band. In my mind, the very best this planet now has to offer. And what of this album? In my mind, a small blip on an otherwise upward ascent and history of gold-tipped beauty. But again, that's just ONE opinion. Mine alone, thus far. If you're tremblingly afraid of what you might read in a pre-release review, (and if you read mine) and I've confirmed your fears, then again, I am sorry for ruining your day. And after all, 'tisn't Wicked Not To Care. Lastly, let me just say that Isobelle is awful. I've strapped on the headphones once again, bit into a plank of wood, and beared her songs once more for a solid re-evaluation. Tsk. Just who told her she could sing?? She's on far more songs on this album than any prior (and than her talent warrants), and her bits & pieces & duets & feature songs are all lackluster performances that are HUGELY tedious, trying, and TIRESOME. I don't know how YOU ALL feel about the Gentle Waves, but my ears quite simply bear that much abuse. I'll give credit where credit is due, and YES, perhaps she isn't a bad cellist, and perhaps she does add her weight in gold in the B&S magic, but I'll praise the day that keeps her vocals from off the records. If this album garners unflattering reviews for B&S, they will undoubtedly be indebted to her. But then, that's just one man's opinion. I apologize in advance for speaking freely. ** Jarrod ** ________________________________________________________________________ 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 +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+