Sinister: And All Those Songs, Like Crystal Balls

[Brian Pennington]

...Dismantled King, you know I love them all

Dear Sinisterines,
	I just read Nick Dastoor's post about Legal Man as the single 
v. Loneliness of the Middle Distance Runner as the single, and I have 
to agree to some extent. Loneliness really is one of my favorite 
songs by B&S, and hearing it on tape and seeing them play it live is 
amazing. I think something like that would resound well with people, 
you know? And I remember Stuart M saying once that it's the best song 
they'd written. So why not put it out? = (   It could be as they say, 
they just can't bang out a recording they like. Or maybe they're sick 
of old songs and they're excited about new ones. It seems a shame 
though that some beautiful songs have fallen by the wayside. As much 
as I fiendishly collect unreleased songs and bootlegs of B&S (unlike 
most bands) I don't want any of them to stay that way. Everyone 
should get to enjoy songs like Loneliness, or the much-maligned Rhoda 
which is really quite nice. Someday when I'll have probably lost most 
of my hair, we'll get a chance to hear some proper, cleaned up master 
versions of some of those songs. On a B&S boxset or somesuch 
collection. Or maybe there will be a second single, that'd be great. 
Are you Jeepster people listening?
	But I do really like Legal Man, and it's quirky so it 
deserves some hit potential. You never know, maybe the backlash is so 
bad by now Loneliness would have gotten crushing reviews from the 
press as well. I'm really pleased with Judy and her being a Dick 
Slap. Initially when I heard the words "soul-sounding," 
"instrumental," and "Belle & Sebastian," together, I instantly 
thought "the Tigermilk instrumental." But I guess it doesn't have any 
of that in it, unless it's in the 12" which I do intend to get. 
Hmmm...I love the soft piano song bit. It sounds like one of Felt's 
short instrumentals done entirely by Martin Duffy. Like "Magellan," 
that reminds me of the soft Dick Slap part a lot. And the first part 
is a bit Stereolabby. Not so much as Slap the Cock Around when you 
speed it up, but pleasingly so, regardless. I almost think it might 
end up being one of the best parts of the single. I for one adore 
instrumentals, although I think they fit better as the occasional 
track on an album to mix things up. They do make excellent B-sides, 
though, as we can see. I wonder if they just shoved a bunch of 
unfinished songs together and called them Judy Is a Dick Slap? Winter 
Wooskie's lovely as ever if a bit short. Overall I like the single a 
lot. It's not what I might have imagined in regards to B&S, but I 
think that's good.
	I feel like I should say something about life outside of 
Belle & Sebastian. Like some witty comment about my friends in 
#sinister. But I wouldn't know what to say, to be honest. And my 
life...eh, it's not so exciting. Kind of depressing at the moment 
really. I didn't sleep at all last night, and I've apparently been 
having "anxiety attacks" as I sleep, where my heart starts racing and 
I'm breathless for a time. Must have something to do with graduating 
soon and sitting around without doing anything all day, and worrying 
about getting a job. Anyone hiring a web designer in the middle of 
nowhere? Oh, no? What a surprise. I got my cap and gown and all that 
yesterday. Bleh. Alright, well I've sated my need for something 
personal to say. Oh, and our computer over at my radio station isn't 
working and it doesn't look like anyone's going to get off their 
behind to fix it. I certainly have no idea how to do it. So as a 
consequence I won't be doing a radio show if anyone happened to 
notice that in my last message and wondered. Well, I have things to 
do, must get rid of some of this anxiety, I guess.

	Hanging out with all those Jesus freaks,

-- 
Brian Pennington, aka Mick McMick | cellophanesky at mac.com | ICQ# 39021436
Sandcastle Records: <http://www.indiepages.com/sandcastle/>
"Better a tear of truth than smiling lies." - Duncan Browne
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