This review is from 'Music Central' web site: BELLE & SEBASTIAN - IF YOUR FEELING SINISTER A few clarifications: Belle And Sebastian are not a duo. None of the seven band members is named Belle or Sebastian. None of them appear in publicity photos (the most prevalent of which features an unnamed girl in a surgical mask). All that pretentious hooey is echoed in the Scottish septet's music. Music that nonetheless happens to be exceptional. These 10 folk-pop songs, originally released on Jeepster in the UK, are marked by sweet melodies, Stuart Murdoch's Scottish-accented Donovan-like vocals, and zero concessions to commercial trends.

From the wryly self-deprecating "Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying" to the folkish "The Stars Of Track And Field", Belle And Sebastian plow fresh turf and sow it with seeds from a vast crowd that includes the Beatles, the Tindersticks, Nick Drake, the Smiths, Paul Simon, and the Lovin' Spoonful.

The Glasgow septet's smart songwriting shines in the clever, piano-enlivened "Seeing Other People", the acoustic but complex "The Fox In The Snow", and the snappy title track (primary character Hilary is "into S&M and Bible studies"). Songs on If You're Feeling Sinister are built on layers of drum patterns, strings, recorder, sporadic trumpet flourishes, and vocal harmonies that underscore the sensitivity and whimsy of the lyrics. On the heart-tugging "Judy And The Dream Of Horses", guitar remnants of the Velvet Underground swirl around the story of a teen misfit. Belle And Sebastian deliver substance and resonance you'd never expect from such precious and precocious pop. Reviewers Rating: * * * * Readers Rating: * * * * * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- . 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 -----------------------------------------------------------------------