This is designed to set the ball rolling.... The meek might not inherit the earth, but Belle and Sebastian will be sitting there quietly until the very last vote is counted. Their songs are snapshots of the twilight autumnal teatime of the soul, populated by perverted vicars, lovelorn school kids, Sid James and a brussel sprout called Elvis. Eight people make up Belle and Sebastian. They are Stuart "Stewpot" Murdoch, an ex-amateur boxer with lyrical hotline to the emotionally orphaned; Chris Geddes, the alarming result of an LSD drenched sexual union between Rick Wakeman and Worzel Gummidge; Sarah Martin, a roller-skating stylophone, xylophone and telephone whizz; Isobel Campbell, a one-woman string quartet and tambourine thumper; Stuart David, paving the way with his monolithic bass foundation shakers; Stevie Jackson, whose delicate guitar runs recall Mike Oldfield at his best; Mick Cooke; trumpet vounteer with the patience of a saint, and last but not least, Richard Colburn, extended drum solos made to measure. They met over butterfly cakes and tea at a church hall fund raising function. Only 1000 copies were pressed of their debut album, "Tigermilk". It namechecked Funkadelic and The Velvet Underground, but managed to avoid sounding like either. The lyrical pivot was "do something pretty while you can". The follow-up LP, "If You're Feeling Sinister" showed a wider public that the group had lost none of their charm or quirkiness, but were maturing into a tight group that packed a "get yer boots on" punch when necessary. Sporadic live appearances delighted the devoted and infuriated some non-believers. Oasis conquered Knebworth, Belle and Sebastian's Kelvingrove Park festival disappeared in the Glasgow drizzle. Poetic justice. Three EPs followed, increasing in competence and confidence. A trip to New York earned the band favourable reviews in staid publications such as The New York Times and the legendary New Yorker magazine. A triumphal concert in a medieval square in Barcelona was a fitting climax to a hazy summer for Belle and Sebastian. Record company interest is said to be at a high level, with rumours of a Terry Thomas vintage car chase across Europe in search of the near mythical "Tigermilk" mastertapes. Records. If You're Feeling Sinister LP (Jeepster) A treat for jaded ears. Vicars base sermons around it. 3, 6, 9 Seconds of Light EP (Jeepster) Gentle and rollicking in equal amounts. Good for the soul. That's it. Anything to add, delete, whatever? Anybody else going to have a go? Forgive me if 36 entries have already arrived this morning, I am now a digestive member of the list. But I have a feeling I'll be changing back sooner or later. Peter ----------------------------------------------------------------------- . 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 -----------------------------------------------------------------------