Reviews (page 5 of 8)
I think the album cover and title, as well as the name of the band, was misleading for me. I though this was going to be more grungy with some female vocals. Instead it was more Nick Drake (stole this from another review, but it really spoke to me) folk sounding -- except Drake did it better. Sonically, it's not the most interesting, but the lyricism is a highlight
Not really for me, but it was a nice album and I felt very soothed while listening. 7/10.
Interesting but not something I would put on rotation.
This all felt very raw and emotional. Like it was written as poetry before it was put to music. However, it was lackluster in melody and production. Vocals were overall weak. Songwriting carried everything. I might need to give it another listen in the future, but first listen did not impress me much. 2.9/5
This sounds more like early ought music, like The Shins. Maybe they were ahead of their time. I’d listen again.
yeah its ok
Fun low key indie album
Some songs were pretty catchy, guys voice was pretty meh
The stars of track and field - 7 Seeing other people - 6 Me and the major - 7 Like dylan in the movies - 7 The fox in the snow - 7 get me away from here, im dying - 8 if youre feeling sinister - 7 mayfly - 6 the boy done wrong again - 7 judy and the dream of horses - 7
Solid album.
Kinda bleh
Not my style. It got too repetitive. Bored me
I want to like Belle and Sebastian, I really do. Having listened to a lot of their music, they just flatter to deceive. Everything just seems a little uninspiring and bland. If You're Feeling Sinister was a grower, but nothing on it stood out as being a great tune. Not even sure a 'best of' would do it for B&S
It’s a beautiful album to just sit back and relax and enjoy.
I want to argue with this guy about why he included *this* album on the list when I have so many more favorites he could have chosen from.
i was, in fact, feeling sinister. 3.5
I think this is the third? Belle & Sebastian album that we've gotten on this list, and I feel like it's been too many. I enjoyed this one but as I approach 800 albums I think my big takeaway is that there's so much music out there that I wouldn't put on repeats from artists without really good reason and my enjoyment of "Seeing Other People" isn't enough for this one and Tigermilk and...oh maybe it's just two. I guess I'd take this one over Tigermilk.
I wish I got this group, but it sounds very middle of the road to me.
Not sure how to explain this. I found the first few songs on the album forgettable and while I did eventually get into the album, I'm not really interested in revisiting it again. One of those glad I listened to it once and maybe a few songs I'll check out again, but overall not really my thing.
"This album is a toss up - I have heard critiques that this is boring. I can see how that could be interpreted as the music does seem to follow a pattern and it doesn't have much style variation. However, the sounds and voice is perfectly pleasant. Maybe as background music or a song in a movie score? I did love the song ""Judy And the Dream of Horses"" due to the fact it reminded me of Tina Belcher from the cartoon, Bob's Burgers. Overall, it was unique in its ""Belle and Sebastian""-ness but I could take it or leave it. "
Managed only 3 tracks. Just didn't work for me. Their earlier work and I don't agree.
Yeah, it's okay, I guess. I think that could be the title of a Belle & Sebastial Best Of.
Album #666 on this project, and there aren't many more aptly named for me to draw in this slot. I thought this was a good album, but overall I liked it less than "Tigermilk." Favorite track: "Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying"
I've never listened to this album (56). Really great title!
I had two british pop albums in a row and normally that would be a nightmare but both of them were surprisingly decent. I am not sure how this is one of the top 20 albums of the 90's but I did enjoy it and may give it another listen or two.
I enjoyed this a high 3 star
3.0
alright
Planning to return to this one at another time, I think I'll like it a lot more when I'm in the mood for this type of music
I really don’t know what to feel about this one. It has a lot of elements that enjoy in an album like brooding lyrics and 1960’s inspired pop music. It just didn’t sound like that it needed to be “mixed up” a little bit more. The album was okay. I may have to listen to again sometime in the future and see if opinions change.
Feels like a 90s indie film. A little too twee for me.
Kinda interesting indie record but it's definitely a little boring, some nice vocals here sometimes
I have generally enjoyed Belle and Sebastian's music, despite a somewhat disdain for the twee pop sound.
Not as good as Tigermilk
Pleasant if not... slightly bland. No real bite, but nice enough Like Dylan in the Movies is such a nice little bop
This is a weird one because I find normally when I give something 3* it's because I think it's fairly mediocre, not bad, not offensive, but not really interesting enough to merit praise either. In this case however I think I'm giving it 3* because I really got pulled one way and then the other on this record. When it's at its best, it's being original and interesting. The songwriting sounds inspired by the sounds of the 60s, but with a contemporary inspired twist. Tracks like the opener and the title track really embody this well. Unfortunately the other half of the time it doesn't sound like it's inspired by the 60s, it sounds enslaved by them. Some of these songs are aping what made those artists special in a manner that reeks of desperation and is frankly a little embaressing I think when I heard the line "No one's writing songs like they used to, so I guess it's up to me" I finally lost patience with it. I'm sorry Belle & Sebastian, Simon & Garfunkel you are not. You're not even a Poundland Nick Drake. Stick to trying to create something new, that's what your strengths are, not recreating something that has passed.
Loved seeing other people but the rest was meh
This is why I am here, to educate myself on music that passed me by but I might have enjoyed. And although this is not quite up my street (bit of a let down after that intro 😅) I admire the musicianship, quality, thought and intensity on display. In another time I might just have loved it.
Ik moet dit album niet te goed gaan luisteren, want die zanger zit heel de tijd net niet lekker op de juiste toonhoogte en dat kan me gaan irriteren. Het zal een stylistische keuze zijn, maar dat maakt het nog geen goede keuze. Dus ik probeer het een beetje over me heen te laten komen en niet teveel op de zang te letten. Ook dan weet ik niet helemaal wat ik er van moet vinden. Het is te druk voor trage uit-het-raam-staren-terwijl-het-buiten-regent-luisterliedjes, tegelijk is het ook iets te dunnetjes qua geluid om veel meer dan dat te zijn. Het is zeker geen ellende. "The Fox in the Snow" vind ik bijvoorbeeld best een mooi nummer en zo zijn er wel wat meer fijne momentjes, her en der. Het helt soms een beetje richting Nick Drake (de titeltrack als grootste voorbeeld hiervan), maar simpel gezegd: Dan zet ik liever Nick Drake aan. Ik ben blij dat dit in de lijst staat, want ik kende de naam al langer maar had nog nooit (bewust) iets van ze gehoord. Ik geef de mensen die hiervan genieten ook niet per se ongelijk. Ik zat lang aan 2 sterren te denken, maar ik maak er toch maar een hele nipte voldoende van. En nu is het tijd om Bryter Later nog maar eens aan te zetten.
Like the Smiths through a Brita filter
If Twee were a musical genre it would sound like this. Odd that I never properly listened to them before. Fun stuff.
I struggle to review albums that are fine. I liked it, but is it good?
love B&S, this was nice, not gonna crack the repeat rotation though
Yawn
I enjoyed the music on this album. I’m always a fan of horns and some of the songs have them. I can’t put my finger on why, but the singers voice bothers me. So I doubt I’ll return to this album because of that, if not for the singer this could be a 4 star for me. Mayfly and Judy and the Dream of Horses are my two favorite songs.
Couple of good songs but not really much variety to keep it interesting over a full album
Feels like the more pleasant version of Sufjan Stevens. Specifically, almost every song on here had a fantastic last minute or so. These songs are very well written and performed. The catch, for me, is I couldn’t care less about the lyrical content. Not in a bad way! But he could just be saying anything and I’d enjoy it no more or less. “If You’re Feeling Sinister” is my standout pick on this project. A great road trip song with some Americana inspiration. Much like the bossa record we had yesterday, this kinda sits at one placid wavelength from beginning to end. On a bad day, I wouldn’t have much tolerance for this one. On a good day, it’s a great, relaxing accompaniment to whatever I’m doing. Firm 3/5
I think if this had come out five years earlier when I was 14 and not 19, I probably would know every word on this album. Kudos all around but a bit twee, although happy to have an opportunity to use the word twee in these not very twee times.
Genre: Chamber Pop As far as albums that try and clone the Beatles sound go, this one is pretty good. Well-produced, well-mixed, but altogether a little bland, and a little too twee for my liking. Some great songwriting, but not the blow-you-away kind I was hoping for considering the reverence this record has. Will revisit. 3/5
Distinct Belle & Sebastian sounds but feels a little homogeneous
Twee chamber pop that starts strong and ends strong with 'Judy and the Dream Horses' with some tasty Burt Bacharach-ish horns but between the first and last song is a lot of songs that vary very little in overall feel and quality which is quite high but much too similar to each other. Belle And Sebastian are a band that I could never fully dismiss nor embrace & this album is exactly why- song after song, album after album it all just melts together, blends together and as pretty as the music on this album is (and pretty much every album because they don't change a great deal from album to album) it just old. If this was a one-off side project by some unknown group of musicians, I would rate it a 4/5 maybe even a 5/5 if I was feeling sinister but this band has some 12 albums out. That's close to THREE DECADES of the same precious shit and I'm so very tired. A sincere fuck off/you to the always frustrating 1001 list for including TWO ALBUMS by Belle and Sebastian. Assholes the lot of you.
Catchy tunes, just not the most memorable. Still fun!
The vocals remind me of the Kinks. The horns remind me of Burt Bacharach songs. The soft acoustic guitar makes me sleepy. Zzzzzzz.... 2.5/5
Nice vibe, hadn't heard any songs of this before but did enjoy a couple, what I've heard of their other albums makes me think those might be better though
Très chill, pop très live, très orchestrale. C'est un bel album, qui ne m'a cependant pas vraiment marqué. Mais à mettre en fond pourquoi pas !
I do wish we were able to preserve some of that 2000s indie tweed sound. It was cute. But maybe that’s all it ever was. B&S were a fun band, but you won’t be convinced they were a must-hear band after this album.
If you're feeling sinister and would like to no longer feel sinister, this twee collection of indie pop tunes just might sand down those rough edges of yours.
A pleasant, gentle album but not strikingly beautiful or otherwise gripping. Favorites: Like Dylan in the Movies
The rich, engaging lyrics, the gentle acoustic guitar tracks, the surprising but perfectly placed trumpet solo, and the extended crescendo to close out - so good, and yet the album is only getting started. Every song on here is skillfully composed and so enjoyable.
It’s fine. Won’t go back but glad I came across it.
My second belle & Sebastian album, and while it's very sweet and detailed, I kind of had a hard time gelling with it. From the title track on, things did connect a little better, so maybe I just need to listen a few more times, but for now I don't have a lot of strong feelings or interesting takes on this. I will say though, even if I'm not floored here, the craftsmanship is pretty amazing. It's another Belle and Sebastian album that feels like a real labor of love, which does endear me to it on some level.
'Tigermilk' squeezed a four star rating out of me, in spite of myself. I'm not entirely convinced we need a second Belle & Sebastian album on this list, never mind one that followed just six months later and sounds like more of exactly the same. I guess that makes this more a critique of the list's authors than the album itself but I can only speak to my own organic response. It's more perfectly nice, gentle folky indie with some clever lyrics and inoffensive melodies. But it's not doing anything I haven't heard before, whether on its predecessor or any of the seven or eight albums they made using this exact formula in the decade or so that followed. I found myself quite enjoying Barfly but then I realised it was basically the same melody line as She Bangs The Drums. If you'd not spotted that yet, you'll not be able to unhear it now, so, you're welcome! Nice and easy listening but not particularly exciting.
I've always had mixed feelings about Belle and Sebastian, but this album fell into the "Enjoyable, but not earth-shattering" side o he divide.
47/1089 aspects of this feel like a precursor to Sufan Stevens. It’s a very pleasant album, i think i prefer it over Tigermilk, it’s just relaxed vibes. However the vocal style can feel very monotone and almost too put on which is jarring for me sometimes. faves: Me and the Major, Get Me Away from Here, I’m Dying and If You’re Feeling Sinister I wish they’d dug more into the style of Electronic Renaissance from Tigermilk with this project but instead they seemingly ditched it completely unfortunately 3 stars or 61/100
A very sweet album perfect for being under a blanket on a rainy day in Scotland. Maybe for my taste a little too cute and safe but some great lyrics.
good album
Listenable
Degelijk album. Ik dacht altijd dat Belle & Sebastian draaide rond een duo ofzo, maar blijkbaar is dit een band met 5-6 leden. Niet dus. Anyway, goed als achtergrond muziek. Ik heb een aantal nummers opgeslagen voor m'n 90s playlist, maar dat is het ook. De middenmoot dus. 3.0
a vida é bela
I just can’t get into Belle & Sebastian. They’re perfectly fine musically, but the vocals always strike me as monotonous, like someone reading a story in a sing-song voice rather than actually performing it. It’s odd, because I can hear how this album influenced bands I do enjoy, like The Decemberists and Death Cab for Cutie, yet it still doesn’t land for me. While those later groups took Belle & Sebastian’s introspective, bookish style and gave it more warmth and energy, If You’re Feeling Sinister feels emotionally distant, like it's clever, but detached. I can respect its influence, but it’s not one I’ll be coming back to.
First track “The Stars of Track & Field” starts a little slow, and I was about to write this one off, but then it hits its stride. It’s followed by “Seeing Other People” which is super catchy. From there it’s a little up and down. Has some very “Smiths” moments and the last couple of tracks are totally Nick Drake inspired. I’m willing to bet these guys influenced Vampire Weekend too. Overall, it’s a good record. Wouldn’t call it GREAT, but I liked most of it.
If I didn’t know any better I would think it was the Kinks with just slightly less energy. Not a bad listen.
belle and sebastian isch en bandname woni irgendwie scho easy oft ghört han aber hamer nonie öpis aglost ha nume gwüsst indie glaub und 90er. und da isches definitiv ab de erste zwei songs. aber sehr singer-songwritermässig. seeing other people erinneret mich sehr a ricky don't lose that number. schlagzüg beat klavier pattern und goaub sogar vibraphon? sehr cool er singt sehr indie-relaxt aber cool. bi me and the major findi d mundharmonika recht nervig eigentli. de song isch easy. like dylan in the movies?? whöt. aso ich chas mer vorstelle glaub ? get me away im dying hani chli monotoner gfunde. uf you're feeling sinister cooli klavier iwürf. s het alles irgendwie öpis. aso finds sehr langsam und nüt devo isch würkli groovy aber d text sind guet. und d lieder sind recht kreativ. okay klassischs 3. würkli rene schudel 3
1. The Stars of track and field - 7/10 2. Seeing Other People - 7.5/10 3. Me and the major - 7.5/10 4. Like Dylan in the movies - 7/10 5. The fox in the snow - 8/10 6. Get me away from here I'm dying - 8/10 7. If youre feeling sinister - 7/10 8. Mayfly - 8/10 9. The Boy Done Wrong Again - 7/10 10. Judy and the Dream of Horses - 7/10 74/100
Feels like the OG Fleet Foxes
it's definitely one of the indie albums of all time.
its a pretty sounding album however nothing really stands out to me, theres plenty of other twee pop and jangle that id much rather listen to lol
Belle and Sebastian are another band who have been on the edge of my consciousness and have made a mental note to research their music but never got around to it. So it was welcoming to get this album today so I could at last give it my attention it deserved. Not disappointed in the least as the album is full of gentle melodic tunes which immediately struck a chord with me. The name Belle and Sebastian conjures up to me calm and warmness. A lovely cozy feeling which this album projects. Not going to go mad and buy their entire back catalog but happy now that I know what their music consists of and will always be on the lookout for their albums as I scourer the charity shop CD’s. 3/5 18/8/25
Not my typical style but it was good song writing
I'm aware of Belle and Sebastian mainly because I know that Isobel Campbell was a member before working with **Mark Lanegan**. She's not the main vocalist here though and I didn't really pick her out in my one listen although listening to B&S, I can hear the softness in the sound that the she brings to that collaboration. And that was my main gripe with this! It all sounds nice but just lacks a bit of bite for my tastes. So it sort of meandered past me without really catching my attention for the most part and then I was surprised when it had finished. It all sounds nice and fine, but it's not one that has complled me to put it on again.
Sweet songwriting and beautiful vocals provide you with a very intimate indie pop experience. Autumn music for me. Interesting that the artists requested to not promote this LP and not put out a single from this. Especially like the tracks like dylan in the movies, if youre feeling sinister and the boy done wrong again.
Nähtävästi Sebastian on laulaja sillä mies ääni. Ei hassumpaa, hidastempoista nykyään sanottaisi varmaan indie kamaa.
Hyggelig og roligt. Jeg lagde især mærke til den måde perspektivet ændre sig på for fortælleren. Sjovt nok.
I mean, this was fun. It was about what I expected from a Belle & Sebastian album. Mellow, but not in a bad way. It made for some chill background music while doing other things.
Love the harmonicas and the double time drums on everything. Interesting lyrics. Felt older than 1996.
My critical thinking is close to the level of a pre-school child, so I enjoy a lot of things. This album is not an exception, but with todays indie pop artists like TV girl it starts looking kind of empty. Somebody here said that the album sounds like "looking out the window on a roadtrip" and I cannot agree more. It wasn't a bad album, I just think that nobody is gonna remember it. Favourite song - The boy done wrong again
Prior to listening, I read that this is considered their best album, and since I already liked Tigermilk a lot, I was excited. This seems about on par with Tigermilk, in my opinion. Both are good, but I don't think this one is any better. I considered giving this 4 stars, but I know that I'm not going to return to it often, if ever really. It's a 7 out of 10; rounding down to 3 stars.
we are out of the rock-pocalypse :tada: soft pop
5.5/10 Highlights: Get me Away from Here Im Dying Me and the Major
I have always felt I should listen to Belle and Sebastian, and have tried on a few occasions without it taking hold. I love the albums Isobel Campbell did with Mark Lanegan, and as much for her voice as Lanegan's, but I don't get the same appeal from her old band. Admittedly she wasn't in charge then. If You're Feeling Sinister is very pleasant, easy listening pop which is great background music. This is the second time I listened to the album recently and I did get more from it. It reminds me a little of Nick Drake (another artist I never really got). There are influences from French Pop and I can hear Ray Davies in some of the lyrics, in fact perhaps delving into the lyrics would deliver more, and I may try more of their records in the future.
I, too, was disappointed by the lack of either a Belle or a Sebastian. 3/5
It’s ok
Ósköp ljúft og þægilegt, en aðeins og pólerað fyrir mig. Pure easy listening. 3,5
Huh, this one was different. I have never heard of this band or this album until when I got it, so I didn’t really know what to expect. The album wasn’t my favorite, but it wasn’t awful. It feels like the took inspiration from bands like The Smiths when making the album, and it shows on songs like, Like Dylan in the Movies and The Stars of Track and Field. The album had some good spots like Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying, but a lot of the tracks I just don’t feel like I’d come back to. This is another case where I don’t really feel like I have much new to say about the album except for, it was fine.
Another band that I believed to be some sappy Brit pop losers but was amazed to find out I liked. They had intricate melodies and I liked the urgency of some of the songs. I would have given it four stars but it felt quite derivative and reminded me of Pulp/Richard Hawley
pretty good, chill and calming as always from them
An excellently produced album and Stuart #1's voice really shines through. Some really good songs and some OK ones.
Perfectly mid
I can get down with a good Wilco or Elliott Smith, but this one just kind of comes a little bland, it feels like it should be up my alley but I don't really see what other people seem to see in it, it just seems like ten relatively unexciting songs that don't sound particularly interesting or investing, and lyrically almost all of them just end up repeating themselves by the end of their not-incredibly-long runtimes, as if they're just sort of giving up Overall kinda milkwater album but I still give it credit for being a predecessor to better things, for 1996 I accept that it was a fresh experience, and it can keep a mid-to-low 3 and some fragmented self-respect That being said I'll be drinking from my aquarium now P.S. The album could benefit from some more Belles and whistles. That joke popped into my head after I finished my review and I CTRL-F'ed on the album review page to make sure I didn't just subconsciously steal it. I hereby clear myself of all suspicion
3/5 dunno, was okay
I’m really torn on this one. The music and instrumentation are solid, but the vocals and overall style just don’t do it for me. There’s an adolescent vibe to the whole thing that makes it feel like it’s not really aimed at someone like me. Still, I have to admit there’s something unique and original about it, even if it’s not entirely my thing.
I remember listening to Tigermilk earlier this year and walking away with a big ol’ shrug. If You're Feeling Sinister didn’t change that much for me. It’s not bad, just kind of there. Stuart Murdoch's voice has that soft, wispy thing going on, but it feels more fragile than compelling. Honestly, he sounds like a knockoff Nick Drake who couldn’t quite seal the deal. The songs are pleasant, and there’s a quiet charm in the arrangements, but nothing really grabs you and holds on. It’s the kind of album that floats in the background while you do something else. Not annoying enough to skip, but not strong enough to demand attention either.
Pretty good, kinda chill indie vibes. Best song: The Stars of Track & Field Notable(s): Like Dylan in the Movies
Ist ein Album, was man gut so nebenher hören kann. Das hat einen ganz chilligen schönen vibe insgesamt. Es ist aber fast ohne Songs, die hängen bleiben. Highlights sind aber Like Dylan in the Movies (banger Chorus) und der Title-Track (bester vibe). Ist aber dumm, dass da Album mit dem schlechtesten Song anfängt (komische Chord Progression im Chorus und sehr langatmig irgendwie). Man hätte vielleicht mit Title Track anfangen sollen, weil der bisschen schwungvoller ist. Insgesamt könnte man sich's gut anhören, schöne, verträumte und manchmal melancholische Grundstimmung.
Könnte vansire sein wenn mehr synth
Nice variety but a bit bland. Reminded me of a 90s version of Vampire Weekend, but just wished they had more energy.
Not bad, but I can't say I enjoyed it a lot.
Id heard of Belle & Sebastian before but I hadent really listened to them much. The music was overall pleasant if not a little simple for me. The songwriting was strong though- lots of themes of love and loss. Overall- good album
a fun little album!! i feel like i could heard some Stone Roses influences throughout but never a bad thing
It was ok. Nothing to write home about IMO
A couple of stand out tracks in an otherwise okay album.
Album 806 of 1089 Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister (1996) Rating : 2.5 / 5 This doesn’t shout for attention but I suspect it earns devotion quietly through multiple listens
soft. hadn't heard about them before. para viajar está perfecto. es bastante tranquilizante. para poner de fondo mientras pintas o lees. día de verano vacaciones soleado sin nada que hacer que me levanto prontico.
Quite pleasant, even if a bit boring
6/10
Completely passed me by
This is really creative. I did not like the first track at all — lyrically annoying. But by the end of the album, I was grooving on their fast, self-reflective and revelatory lyrical delivery. The music is good too. It’s a 3 for now, but might be a 4 on a second listen.
Maybe a little too precious for me, such that I struggled to tell the differences between songs.
Fun instrumentation at times, but I didn't love it. It's like poppy Death Cab. 3.2
Ok. Well played. Several songs sounded similar. Nothing really stood out.
Nice and sad. Mellow rainy day feel.
Folk Pop, nice lyrics, music pretty boring, certain instruments annoying at times.
I love that Belle & Sebastian push against the prevailing forces of cynicism but without being humourless. On this LP you get a genuine sense that you are looking into their deepest thought. This is an enjoyable album, though I do think it’s been bettered by them since, with a slightly quirkier, preppier take.
It was just ok for me.
lalala i drank a tea and then i saw something so devastating lalala
Fresh sounds, clever wordplay, teeny pop late ‘90’s style.
Good
Mediocre at best
I guess it's fine. I really expected a male / female duo. Not really music that I like but it sounds ok. I just don't like the vocals. They sound flat most of the time and even out of tune at times. And I feel they are very dull.
absolutely, deeply rizzless the whitest music i've ever heard and somehow charming
I was alittle underwhelmed by this album. I had a few songs by this artist saved already, and after I listened to the album I went and listened to those songs again and I felt like those individual songs were better than this album as a whole. I didn’t hate it, it wasn’t bad, it just kind of never really grabbed me UNTIL “Judy and the Dream of Horses”. That’s the stand out of this album. It totally made the whole album worth my time. In fact I ADORE that song! The only thing that bothers me is that the only other song that I remember is “Me and the Major” which I also liked but the album as a whole is a little forgettable. Seriously though if your curious just listen to those two songs, they are so good I’d actually buy this album just for those songs.
348/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
very mellow once again, but i did enjoy!! it did get a bit samey after a while but you can’t really do much with acoustic songs so i can’t blame belle or sebastian
I am still midway I will give my rating proper on the gc . I just want to know the next album I’m going to be honest but so far I’m really enjoying the lyrics .
Had me hooked at the beginning, but then faded off into light, lilty singer-songwriter stuff, and just bored me. It's ok.
I probably would have liked this more in my high school days.
I thought it was okay.
I don’t like this band, but they remain the best band I’ve ever seen live. Funny how that goes.
really enjoyed!!!
It's well made and all, but kind of sleep-inducing.. not my cup of tea I guess
One of many albums where I'm glad I relistened to it a few times. My initial reaction was to give this a 1 and move on. I really did not like the guys voice at first. In fact, initially, I hated it. However, it gradually grew on me and by the end of the day I was hooked, and now I'm interested in hearing more Belle & Sebastian. Favorite songs on this album are "Me and the Major" and "Like Dylan in the Movies." Is this something I'm likely to come back to? Again, probably not, but it was very soothing and I'm glad I spent the day listening to it. Not a whole lot to talk about here other than that. Just a bunch of chill beats to vibe to. Succeeds in what it sets out to do.
Was sure I was gonna enjoy this but I must have been in the mood for it, decent, wouldn’t mind listening again
Boorrriiiingggguh!!!
Charlie Brown-ass music. It's a very high 3, and I was going to give it a 4 at one point, but it went on a little too long, and for a 60's inspired folk album, even 41 minutes felt a tad indulgent. Maybe cut one song towards the back end or something and it'd be a perfect length, around 35-36 minutes. Me and the Major is probably the standout for me. Easily the most urgent, fun song with some great harmonica. Dunno if I'll playlist it, but yeah.
Ok
While I'm not sure I'd agree that is their best collection of songs, let alone one of the best albums of the decade, it's a great sophomoric showing from the 5 members of the band and helped launch them in colleges in America
A bit of a cult band from what I understand. Not unpleasant but not entirely my thing either
It's totally fine. Nothing to stand out for me I saw them live last year and they were quite boring.
Easy to listen. Like the harmonica. Some catchy choruses but nothing that stuck with me.
I feel like if I listen to this in college, I would have liked it. But I'm kind of not into that whole vibe anymore. The music is fine though.
Perfectly mid and I don't plan to listen again.
I liked it, it was chill. Would be pretty cool for some background music
3/5 no single songs stood out but it was all enjoyable
Reading all of the "Donovan of the 90's" comparisons makes a lot of sense now after listening, although I hear a little more Nick Drake here. Some decent tracks here and there, not sure how influential this would end up being after its release. Maybe somewhat in an indie rock sense. Sounded and felt pretty middle of the road for me, though.
Good album from an artist I have heard of but have not heard much from. It does start to feel a bit mopey about halfway through. Enjoyable listen though. 5.75/10 (2.875/5)
It was chill some great ones but the album didn’t feel extraordinary to me
Meh 2.5
Proto indie hipster bullshit
Interesting
Fav: Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying Least Fav: The Stars Of Track & Field There’s no Belle and there’s no Sebastian either, what’s with the band name?
I can see how this is the blueprint for late 90s early 2000s indie rock. I've never listened to b &s before. It's nice, upbeat, pretty light, a little pretentious.
This was ok. I think there are better Belle and Sebastian albums available. Maybe another listen would bump it up a bit.
Absolute classic album and deserving of it's inclusion on this list. Not the happiest listen all the way through, so if you're feeling a little down, you may want to shelve this one until you're feeling better.
enjoyable but was missing a wow factor
Hard to listen to this and not be transported straight back to my college years. Never got super into them, but this was my favorite album of theirs, and I always respected them. Chill morose-but-optimistic vibes.
Ganz nettes und melancholisches Album, aber ohne große Überraschungen 3/5
Very quaint and cutesy. 6/10
The recording quality sounds good. The whole vibe of the album really reminds me of 70s singer/songwriter/folk types. Nothing really grabbed me, but it was a pretty decent album. I wanted it to end just because I wanted to listen to something more interesting.
It’s hard to give an album that can almost make you cry anything lower than a three. There is something that keeps me from fully embracing this band. Maybe it’s the singers affectation? Their mark on indie pop in the decade after their work is apparent.
Decent indie album. I enjoyed it but I don't think I'll listen to it again.
This one sort of passed me by in the background. Pleasant enough, but I don’t quite see how it ended up being called one of the greatest albums of the ’90s. Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying
Twee pop and indie folk. Haft store indflydelse på senere indie bands. Recorded over få dage og med et lavt budget.
73% Best: Me and the Major; Get Me Away from Here, I’m Dying; Mayfly Must-Hear? No
Great indie rock that I have never heard before. Great music and lyrics. I'm not sure how I missed this in the 90s because it would have been right up my alley. I'm glad that I heard it and will be listening to it again. Great for a lower energy activity or gathering.
Again, I think B&S and I may be destined to never quite see eye to eye. Their particular brand of indie-pop just doesn’t chime with me like it does with others. That said, I’m definitely warming to them and did enjoy this album. I still felt a little like an outsider straining to try and get in on the joke (probably because I don’t tend to understand the clever subtext to their lyrics that I’m sure must exist), but I think I managed to absorb at least some of what’s good about this band anyway.
Its Ok probably could be seen as their generations Simon and Garfunkle. Nice voice, good composition great arrangements. Not my music but good enough for background listening while cooking. In general a really good produced album.
Enjoying, light background music.
It was ok but I will probably never listen to this ever again
2.5/5
Like dylan in the movies me ha gustado mucho. Igual porque es la más directa con ese estribillo buenisimo. En general la voz me sobrecarga un poco, especialmente la que tenía escuchada de antes, entiendo que es el hit, con el pachelbel de las narices (the boy done wrong again).
Not really my thing but I can see why people like it. Its a little too low energy overall, but I think it suits them well for their sound. I think Like Dylan at the Movies encapsulates them pretty well.
Very good coherent piece, with hints of acts like the Smiths, which I quite enjoyed. The strange vocals and sadness in the lyrics where punchy en effective. Got nothinh mych more to say, overall a good indie record, but nothing particular that blew me away. Favorite track: Seeing other people. Overall score: 6.0/10 .
90s indie - if Nick Drake was from Glasgow
Wusses seem to like this so should be on this list to ensure future wusses are pleased. Other wuss-rock is available.
Me atrajo y recuerdos que fluyen sin sesar
Pretty good
The voice was a coin flip on whether it worked for me, but it was pretty beautiful instrumentally.
Good
Good Songs: Me and the Major Like Dylan in the Movies If you're Feeling Sinister The Boy Done Wrong Again Judy and the Dream of Horses
Tried to get into B&S years ago and trying to remember why they didn’t click. Oh well…it’s a good album. Maybe I’ll listen to some more of their’s.
Nice little indie album for Thanksgiving day. Nothing really jumped out to me though.
Pretty humdrum, lightweight work. Has a dash of Smiths, Simon & Garfunkel and 60s easy listening but just feels like a sterile mixture and also all so twee. Songs and chord changes are usually pretty dull. Singer’s voice is a bit of a constant annoyance, almost has that Nick Drake wisp but with no fragility or emotion and is probably more like David St Hubbins singing We Are The Flower People. Instrumentation throughout is generally cool and relaxed although for some reason the trumpet solos set my teeth on edge. Mayfly with its Telstar flavours for its solo is probably my favourite track. Low 3.
Not my thing but not too bad for what it is
meh. weirdish vocals, not great songwriting or lyrics. some good grooves though. Liked Seeing Other People. 3/5
Very enjoyable overall - some good song-writting and interesting melodies. Maybe it didn't stand out enough to make it a fantastic album but if all stakes were perfect we wouldn't have hot-dogs 🤷
Again not my thing, but think it was very well done.
Belle & Sebastian don't seem to really click with me. They sound promising enough but I just never quite get into it. It looks like I gave Tigermilk a 3 and I was trying to be generous with this one but even a 3 feels generous. Faves: The Fox in the Snow, Judy and the Dream of Horses
Melancholy
Cheerful background music
- Angenehm und entspannt zum durchhören - Manches erinnert an die späteren Sachen von Kings Of Convenience, aber ganz so awhr konnte ich trotzdem nicht connecten - Insgesamt aber schon schön Rating: 3/5
I liked this one more but it unfortunately still will suffer from me being bummed out about the country/world being doomed
I had previously heard of this band but had never listened to them before. I didn't hate it. But, I had also gone to a High on Fire show the night before and probably ruptured my eardrums. Why couldn't Everything But the Girl have been up next?
As far as weird awkward voice and mellow music goes, this wasn't too bad. Oddly enough found myself liking it by the end. Not 4 stars kind of liking.
1 extra star for nostalgia. Makes me think of HS and college. The Stars of Track and Field, Get Me Away From Here I’m Dying, and If You’re Feeling Sinister were highlights.
There was a reason I never got into Belle & Sebastian - this album is pretty meh and kind of boring.
This was cool, not bad by any means just personally not my jam. Glad it was shown to me because I respect the talent and musicality, just personally not gonna add any of these songs.
Upbeat, but a little the same
Mediocre
This is as twee as it gets and I’m not sure if the first song was just a cynical ploy to be on an Olympics playlist. Pleasant to listen to but I was never a huge fan. Classic 3.5 for me.
This artist was clearly influenced by some of the great 1960s bands, I mean you can hear the Simon & Garfunkel. the Birds, etc as inspirations. Its was ok, not shabby for an indie, but doesnt hold up to its contemporaries as anything special.
01) The Stars of Track and Field - 7,5 02) Seeing Other People - 7,0 03) Me and the Major - 7,0 04) Like Dylan in the Movies - 7,5 05) The Fox in the Snow - 7,0 06) Get Me Away from Here, I'm Dying - 6,5 07) If You're Feeling Sinister - 7,0 08) Mayfly - 6,5 09) The Boy Done Wrong Again - 6,5 10) Judy and the Dream of Horses - 6,5 TOTAL: 6,90 (69/100) Current ranking: 233/334
I love this album but there were some things that sort of annoyed sometimes like the (fake?) accent and some of the songs sounded the same. Gotta say though it brought me back to a good moment in my life!
Not my fav of theirs but still that good B&S brand of clever, honest, peppy, depth.
I am conflicted on this album. I enjoyed it but when I was done I kind of forgot that I listened to it. The second listen gave me a better view but I think it was so soothing and mellow I was having a hard time embracing it without falling into a meditative state. Like Dylan in the Movies was the key song followed by Get Me Away from Here, I’m Dying. It was overall a well made album with good performances. I would could listen to this again, if I remember it.
Down to my last 10 albums. Delighted to see Belle and Sebastian on the list. BUT why this album. I reckon 100 albums on the list are wrong choices made for the right reasons. Like he was trying to hard. Just choose the ones with the hits that everyone loves.
This album feels like a quiet afternoon, soft and introspective. The melodies float along, simple and sometimes playful, with a bit of melancholy just beneath. It reminds me of early Simon & Garfunkel but with more of a bookish charm. The lyrics tell little stories, almost like conversations you overhear. It's easy to get lost in the gentleness, though some tracks feel too similar, blending together by the end. Still, there's a warmth here that's hard to ignore.
6.5/10 Was never a huge fan of B&S, but their appeal clicked slightly this time. The influences on this album are mostly American, especially folk- psychedelic- and country-rock of the 60s. This will have sounded very different to the uk indie of the time. Musically I enjoyed all these influences and the arrangements, the album had a really nice vibe The vocal harmonies worked very well, but my biggest hesitation on this album was not massively enjoying the lead vocalist too much. Add that to the slight tweeness in the music and songwriting and there was a ceiling to how much I would like this. Best: Like Dylan in the Movies
Found the music and vocals well done. Soothing/east to listen to
Hyvän mielen musiikkia. Vähän solistin ääni meinaa olla turhankin munaton ja kuuntelukerroittain vaihdellut mieltymys.
Kind of gives me Simon & Garfunkel meets John Lennon vibes. I don't dislike it, but it also doesn't really keep my attention very well. 3/5
Wat had ik hier vroeger een hekel aan, zeg. Maar als ik het nu hoor, valt het me ook wel weer mee. Het heeft zeker kwaliteit. Het is alleen soms zo ontzettend saai. Het past niet helemaal bij de rest, maar ik ben toch blij als er iets vrolijks voorbij komt als Me and the Major. Bij elkaar moet ik het, ondanks mijn vooroordeel, toch een voldoende geven.
Ik dacht uiteraard altijd dat dit 2 mensen waren, een heer en een dame, maar het blijkt een compleet ensemble te zijn. Ik ken denk ik wel een paar nummers, maar van dit album komt me eigenlijk niks bekend voor. Behalve het sfeertje misschien. Het is een soort hang naar nostalgie, gemengd met wat modernere festivalmuziek. De zang lijkt namelijk heel erg op Ray Davies van the Kinks. Wiki maakt een vergelijking met the Smiths en Nick Drake, maar ik vind het dus zogezegd veel meer op de Kinks lijken. En dan in een iets moderner jasje. Het is niet vervelend, maar ook niet heel enerverend.
Nice late 20th C sound. Mellow but quirky.
Ho hum,very pretty but very samey.
I'm a bit confused. Why are people here using the word "twee" like it's something bad? Tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
It was okay, nothing outstanding.
Can’t get past the bad singing. If I want quirky lyrics and droll British observations, I’ll stick with Housemartins and Everything but the Girl.
I think that I avoided this one at the time because I assumed that it was just slightly twee French pop. Turns out it’s actually slightly twee Scottish pop, but it won me around with a mix of light, summery tunes and lyrics ranging from the wistful to some pointed jabs at religion. I particularly liked the second track “Seeing Other People” which reminded me of Vince Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown theme music with a bouncy, jazzy feel. Lovely stuff.
I really liked the music of the songs and found the melodies enjoyable and the skill impressive. The lyrics are good, if a little try-hard at times. What really kept me from enjoying this album a lot more was the sound of the singer's voice. I just... didn't like it. A shame as this would be a far better album for me.
Pleasant but wouldn’t listen again
3/5, nice! but i’ll never listen to it again
Enjoyable Standout songs: Me and the Major The Fox in the Snow Judy and the dream of Horses
First listen was pretty dull. However, something about it made me interested in going back, and reading someone say "picture it as Nick Drake singing" made it click for me. Second listen more enjoyable. Some decent songs, some mediocre. Overall a pleasant experience. 3.5*
6/10. Pleasant, but somewhat boring.
This was a feel good indie album for a Sunday morning. I didn’t realize these guys have been around for so long. Love the horns, those remind me of Sufjan’s music. It’s a vibe. Listened to it twice in a row, and that was starting to feel like a bit much. Maybe they are best in smaller doses.
Meh
3/5
Bit boring, didn't really grasp me all that much.
Enjoyed this.
Cool title, not so cool music. I couldn't get behind this one. Good production quality however.
I don't really care for Belle and Sebastian. It's fine indie rock but didn't really wet my whistle.
Interesting that sometimes I come across a band that I am completely unfamiliar with. Not even that I don't recognize the band's name or the singers, etc. but I have never heard a single song from this album in my life. This makes my review both perfect and flawed at the same time. Perfect because gone is any nostalgia or sentiment to cloud my judgements (which does happen sometimes) But flawed because without having a few listens, allowiing music to "grow on us" we can be a bit too harsh, too quick to judge (literally). So I focused on the feeliings and a bit on the musical qualities found here. The feel I get is a kind of calm, sex positive and open future vibe. (Weiirdly specific but yeah...) and musically they are fair to middling and one can grow either to like them more or pass them by with equal regard.
Not as cutesy and flowery as first impressions would suggest. Some real poetry here.
A nice calm relaxing sound. Like gentle pop rock. Good vocals
líklega ekki þeirra besta. en falleg lög að venju. á aðra umferð skilið. 3,5
Pleasant, but nothing memorable stuck out for me.
smooth mellow songs - - sound the same - like I'm at a coffee house. Real good if you are in the mood. Can be use as a soundtrack to any 21st century indie romcom.
Pleasant enough, but quite forgettable. If this album was a genre precursor, later artists surely improved on the formula.
Dogs distracting me but I like what I heard.
Typically great Belle & Sebastian, though I didn't enjoy it as much as Dear Catastrophe Waitress.
I really enjoyed this. At first I thought I was listening to Nick Drake. I decided I had to read the lyrics, because the song titles pricked my interest - a song called The Stars Of Track & Field - really? It’s terrific & so is Seeing Other People - they sound like their written by a teenager. And calling a song Like Dylan In The Movies just so you can use the phrase Don’t Look Back? Loved it. And the title track is outstanding & references the Catholic Church, not in a positive way : “But if you are feeling sinister Go off and see a minister Your chances are you'll probably feel better If you stayed and played with yourself”. Stuart Murdoch may not have been able to work for 7 years in his early twenties due to chronic fatigue syndrome but it was having that time on his hands that he claims made him a songwriter. And a bloody good one.
B&S are a gap in my knowledge. They came along during the period that I did not listen to new music, and I think I generally agreed (based on my ignorance of their work) with Jack Black's opinion in High Fidelity that they were "old sad bastard music". Maybe because I, too, am now an old sad bastard, I understand the appeal of this record. It's jaunty and pleasant and unassuming. They can craft an intricate and catchy melody, and there are some quite tasty chord changes in there too. Lyrics are often fun, full of little stories. I particularly like Dylan in the Movies and Judy and the Dream of Horses. I like the quick and dirty recording style, with ambitions towards a lush aesthetic (on a budget). It is clearly in the tradition that grows from the more whimsical end of the Velvet Underground's oeuvre, which appeals to me. It starts to wash over me a bit after a whole album, but enjoyed it more than I expected.
I like this one, the harmonics are nice, it is a little weird, 3 stars
That's not my taste in musik. But some nice songs.
Nice enough, nothing too exciting or likely to ever be listened to again - standard 90s bedroom twee
Quite liked this
Pretty classic indie album. At one point in time “Get me away from here i’m dying” was in my daily rotation. The first song slaps as well. Other than that it’s a solid 3
Sounds like something from the '60s
I kind of like this kind of experimental album that just contains 1 very long song. No, wait...
I first heard of Belle and Sebastian years ago when I was watching High Fidelity and Jack Black called them, “sad bastard music.” I’ve always liked them but never loved them. They are fine for good background music, but never really spoke to me.
Na ja. Geht so.
I’ve known about Belle & Sebastian for years. Even liked a couple of their songs. So I was convinced I’d love this. It was ok. Certainly there’s three, maybe four, songs that I’ll come back to. But the rest of the album really didn’t do much for me. 3/5
надо продолжать изучать б+с, пока поняла, что всё их творчество похоже на те пару песен что я знаю (а бывает и по-другому!), такие тви чаймз. приятные но не запомнилось
I like Belle and Sebastian but had never listened to an entire album before. They’re better in a playlist because the sound gets to be the same after a while.
Really liked this. Would want to listen to again Favourites- like Dylan in the movies, get me away from here I’m dying, if you’re feeling sinister
Sort of surprised I didn't like this more. Just fine
It’s sweet and gentle with some good songwriting. Would I listen to it again? I’m not sure. Listens: 1 Fave Track: ? Rating: 3
unremarkable
This is some fine Indie Pop. A couple of songs have good vibes to them. I don't have anything bad to say about the album at all. But I also don't really have anything great to say? It just ends up being a good but not great album for me.
SCOTCH MUSIC!! Lovely timing to get this on the day of London Marathon, allowing us all to remember the time Stuart Murdoch ran the 1986 Glasgow Marathon in an incredible time of 2:57:08
enjoyable.
Muy tierno pero muy cornudo
Not bad. Better than expected for college indie?
I prefer Tigermilk.
I had previously heard of the artist but was not familiar with any of the material. It's a pretty pleasant listen. The singer's voice reminds me of Donovan. While I'm not jumping up and down about this, I can see myself coming back to it in the future.
Very whimsicle style and lyrics. 3/5
Belle and Sebastian’s If You’re Feeling Sinister is so unmemorable. The only thing I remember and might return to is Me and the Major, which is great. Besides this track, I feel the album is just bleh and really similar. All in all, If You’re Feeling Sinister is a mid album. Best Song: Me and the Major Worst Song: Judy and the Dream of Horses
Okay, had a few good songs. Main highlight was Like Dylan in the Movies. I see the appeal but I just feel as though there are better artists in this early indie folk/poetic music that I'd rather listen to (Elliot Smith, Neutral Milk Hotel etc)
Okay
Had never heard any of it before. I was bored at first but it grew on me. It's a solid album but nothing overly memorable.
Good background music. Nothing really stands out, but it's a nice little record.
Мне этот альбом понравился меньше. Не создал он этой воздушности, интимности и легкости (я даже переслушал tigermilk, тот альбом реально на голову сильнее) Здесь есть интересные работы, мне запала The Boy Done Wrong Again
Я не впечатлен( Он приятный, хороший, но просто норм. Tigermilk реально сильнее оказался. Здесь не хватило чего-то в музыке чтобы цепануться. Но слушалось все равно хорошо Алкоальбом: белое игристое полусухое
Naff I really don't like the vocals and the music was just midde of the road Nothing to see here!
Mellow and slow. Pretty in its own way. Won’t go back to it likely
Would rather listen to NMH. This was fine.
Yawn. That's probably not fair as these guys have a pretty nice folk alternative groove and the vocals are easy on the ears. But I'm just not excited about anything I hear. Feels like a good fit for any indie Michael Cera movie ever done. I'm ready to move on though.
Beautiful melodic pop songs. A really nice surprise as I didn’t know what to expect! Very nice indeed!
The songs are well sung and played but not my favorite style.
Listen to this while playing Under Falling Skies. I won! I have mostly enjoyed Belle & Sebastian's music over the years...but this album didn't grip me quite as much as some of the others. Don't get me wrong...there is still some great songwriting...but it just didn't hit the same as some of their other albums. Still worlds better than that fucking Napalm Death album.
Fine, twee and quiet, inoffensive and forgettable.
Лёгкая музыка для молодёжной романтической соплегонки. Парень уже влюбился в девушку, но этого ещё не знает и всё будто бы как обычно. Но уже ничего не как обычно. Может, в этом хоть какой-то смысл названия альбома -- "чувствуешь себя крипово". Потому что ничего подобного в музыке и текстах не ощущается -- она нарочито домашняя и простая, будто на кухне собрались под гитару с друзьями, и они поют с душой, но неумело. Да три, что тут гадать.
First time listening to a Belle & Sebastian album. They always seemed a bit aloof - no reason to think that! Enjoyable but hasn’t made me a fan.
Verrassend olijk album, z’n stem ging wel wringen na een tijdje
Poh ja wa mok segge, wel oke? Wel flink generiek weer
It's not my favorite, but I do enjoy some B&S and 'Get Me Away from Here I'm Dying' is one of their best.
I remember these guys were hip when I was at university. The songs with a bit of pep are quirky and fun, the more doleful offerings are quirky and no fun.
Piacevole da ascoltare
Not my usual jam but I liked it for a one off. I could use more variety in a daily listening. Will I listen to again: 20%
Not bad.