Dear all, Here is the article which Stuart wrote and whic accompanied the press release for the Pastels' latest album, 'Illumination'. The Archdeacon of Pop start of article About the Pastels When I was a boy and when Stephen was a boy too, my friends and I went to Greenock to see the Pastels play. I was drawn to all the Shambly people I saw around, even though I was quite sporty. They knocked about Hillhead and listened to strange music. I had a notion that the Patels were king of this strange music but I don't know why. Four of us went to Greenock, to the Subterraneans club. "Who's this?" "The Go-Betweens." "Who does this one?" "I think it's Sonic Youth." The Pastels came on. People took quite a few steps forward. They embraced the punky sound, they listened to the tender words. The possibilities seemed endless. I am still shocked to remember Aggi's shriek of "Up for a bit!". I'm glad she did it though. On the way out there was a crush, and through the crowd came Stephen in his dufflecoat. The more sweaty boys tried to clap him on the back. "Goan yersel Stephen". We went home and I got their LP the next week. I was shocked and delighted when I heard it. Nothing much has changed, even though that was ages ago. They're still punk, and the songs are just as tender. But they are still learning about music. Every unexpected sound and note in their new record sounds like a fresh discovery. And who else manages to pull that off every time? Nobody. That's why they are the kings. Stuart, Belle and Sebastian. end of article. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- . 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 -----------------------------------------------------------------------