The Boy With the Arab Strap

by

Belle and Sebastian

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I first heard about Belle and Sebastian from a friend of mine who had also turned me on to Kings of Convenience. I went out and bought this CD as soon as I could. I didn't really get into it at first and I didn't really understand what some of the songs were about. But the album grew on me. The songs are timeless, they conjure up the ghosts of late 60s pioneers like Love and Nick Drake, while always sounding modern and in touch with today's alienated youth. But now that I have listened to these twelve songs thousands of times, the thing that draws me back the Boy with the Arab Strap is the MOOD. Autumnal, like leaves falling but with a hint of summer still lingering and winter waiting at the door. Like "The Graduate" or a Wes Anderson movie, graceful and beautiful, with equal measures of humor, sorrow and tenderness.

If you haven't already, buy this CD and prepare yourself for the most subtle and gorgeous forty-five minutes of your life.

I got this record when it came out. I got Sinister when it came out in the U.K. I saw Belle & Sebastian's show in NYC after Sinister and then I saw them play "Turn Turn Turn" during the "Boy with the..." tour. Needless to say, I'm a big fan. And well, I got to tell ya, this is a boring record. I'm telling you now a year after because it takes me a while to digest.

This album just doesn't cut it. Stuart Murdoch's lyrics are great as usual, but not on par with his previous stuff. And why the hell did he let his other much less talented bandmembers write 4 or 5 of the other songs? I mean, frankly, he IS the band isn't he? I can honestly say that "Chickfactor" and "Seymour Stein" are two of the WORST songs ever written. Who cares about the NYC music industry? Who cares about hipster zine editors and A&R execs courting you? Besides the abominable words, the singing is terrible and the music is pedestrian and unoriginal. Pop rock rule #3: Don't let yer lead guitarist write any of the songs! One of the reasons why Belle & Sebastian were head and shoulders above the rest is that they weren't part of any scene. Not a 'post-rock' nor a 'snore-core' scene. They were young, fresh, and as Stuart said so aptly (paraphrase): "no one writes 'em like they used to, so it may as well be me." Rock needed a kick in the pants, and Sinister happened to be there just at the right time. Finally a new original voice!

But "Arab Strap" just ain't happening. What's misleading is that the first two tracks are pretty brilliant*, but the album just doesn't hold up. 'Cept or the title track... Great I tell ya, plus that whole incestuous bit with Arab Strap the band... How clever! But what's up with that Looper track "Space Boy Dream"? Hey guys, listen... Yer a rock band, stick to it, none of this sampladelic crossover junk.

Anyway, take it from a fan and don't buy this album. Tape the good bits from a friend. But don't give up hope! The subsequent EP "This is not a Modern Rock Song" is a return to form, the other three EPs are great, and Sinister remains a classic. And I'm sorry to admit that I haven't listened to Tigermilk yet... ouch! There goes my 'indie cred!' So rather than "The Boy with the Arab Strap" get the Arab Strap record "Philophobia." Now that's some yummy rock!

*Note: the chord progression in "Sleep the Clock Around" is clever and moving, but too bad it's lifted from Eno's "The Big Ship" off Another Green World...