If You're Feeling Sinister

Happened to get the 2 Belle & Sebastian albums back to back. This album was less fun than their previous one. More standard instruments and less interesting vocals. I did like "Seeing other people" but the rest of the album kinda just passed me by High 2

One of my closest friends loves this band but I still love her. That's more than I can say for this band. It's just SOOOO damned twee, and the lyrics so dark, it makes my head spin.

Inoffensive and ultimately dull

Maybe I'm more talented than I thought I was.

i didnt hate this but theres so much music out there that id rather listen to

It wasn't my favorite album, but it wasn't like terrible to listen to. Just something to fill in the background. Kind of reminded me of Sufjan Stevens.

Way too many words set to the most insipid music. “The fox in the snow” and “get me away from here, I’m dying” were the highlight for me because they chilled out on the words per second and I could enjoy the pretty music for a few mins. “Me and the Major” almost made me turn it off. I think I may just not like this singer very much.

Sounds like Nick Drake, and I guess it is fine, but not something I’d put on again.

It sounds like a 90s rehash of the 60s that influenced all the things I don't like from 2005-2013.

Kind of boring. The music was ok, but his voice kind of put me to sleep

2.5 - ok

Has a lot of charm but the twee gets to me sometimes

The album title gave me an impression of dark metal; the actual album is folksy and twee, two things I don't like at all. This is the type of music you listen to at naptime.

miauczenie

Meh, ok but just so-so.

I guess I needed to feel sinister to really enjoy this...

I thought I liked it but the more it went on the more indifferent I became

I tried to have an open mind, I really did. There’s a whole swath of this Garden-State-soundtrack-ass-sounding music that was in vogue for about 10 years there and that I absolutely despised: Death Cab, Postal Service, Iron & Wine, Decemberists, etc. I understand that it has considerable appeal to some, and I’m not just trying to be some tough guy who dumps on this kind of sensitive guy music (R.E.M. is my favorite band!). Nonetheless, I listen to this sort of thing I want to stuff someone in a damn locker, even if it’s myself. Belle and Sebastian might be among the worst offenders in this regard. The various Ben Gibbard projects occasionally have a song that really speaks to me. But this? Ugh. The instrumentation has fleeting moments were it's really fun and interesting---the snappy drum beats, the subtle synths that build over a song, that sort of thing. When there’s a little trail of a trumpet at the end of a song? Kinda delightful. All that said, Neutral Milk Hotel this ain't. Why? Because, goddamn, the lyrics, I hate them in substance and sound. There’s something about the quiet-ish, stately singing that calls to mind some dude in an ascot I’d never want to converse with. Tried to get over it, I really did, but I can’t get into this.

This was ok. Kind of generic sounding. 2/5

Maybe I wasn't in the mood, I was lifting ways of the time, but this album was relatively boring. I'm not an anti-indie guy, actually really enjoy the genre, but this was just blah

Very twee and gentle sounding, although the lyrics are not exactly that. It’s not horrid, but it is dull.

Meh...

Dorky hipster from 2000s vibes. Insert into any indie flick. I feel like I should be the target audience for this but have somehow never warmed up to it. A couple of ok tracks.

I’m aware how big this was and how much it influenced 90s and 2000s indie music. I’m aware how seemingly simple but actually complex the guitar is. I’m even willing to accept that there’s good lyrics and themes in the music. But fundamentally I don’t enjoy listening to their voices and it’s not an album I liked a lot. I’m fine being in the minority on this but I atand my ground here.

The last album of theirs I rated (Tigermilk) I was much more impressed by. I was worried about it being a bit indie wank, but it ultimately won me over with its diversity and creativity. This one is basically the same, just without the creativity and diversity. That is, It’s JUST indie wank. Soft, floaty, well-meaning, twee vocals, and no real variance across the whole album. With a few exceptions, all the songs pretty much sound the same to me. Unfortunately this one rubbed me up the wrong way a bit. No thanks.

Just a bit twee and too often boring for me

More bang average, self-important indie that I'll never spend another second of my life thinking about again.

I should be a fan, but I'm not.

Tristare än väntat

More boring than I remember

This is not for me. Pretty dull and monotonous. Seems like he's trying to sound like Morissey but pulling it off

?2

I guess I'm not a hipster - I just don't like them. Find them really boring. Always have 🤷‍♂️

This might be the cheekiest entry on the list. It's like the editors know there's too much 60s/70s flower power, ren faire shit on this list, so they snuck in a 90s abomination that essentially just sounds like 60s/70s flower power, ren faire shit.

I wasn’t a fan of the singers style of vocals. All the songs seemed to go forever and nothing really caught my attention and made me want to listen. Only track 6 Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying peaked my interest slightly. Probably won’t listen again.

Two days in a row with chamber pop / indie rock. This one is a bit more in the folk direction, with simple melodies but lush instrumentation. I found it a bit boring, but easy to listen to.

Cry baby music. But it’s ok.

I Don't have much German, but it is a wonderful language. There is one word in particular that means face in need of a fist. The singer's voice would create a new word that means a voice in need of a fist. It seems that this is the second album from Tegan and Sarah that I have encountered here, I would have been happy to stop after the 1st.

All sounds pleasant enough but didn't connect at all - these guys rarely do for me!

not sure if this is my jam tbh. the trumpets nice. so are the chord progressions, i just dont like the vocal style and drums guitar is cool. its not really an album to write home about tbh legendary fucking youtube comment on like dylan in the movies the lyrics are nice. highlights: if youre feeling sinister. i love catholic imagery. sorry

Didn't talk to me in the 90s and neither did now. Some nice moments but nothing that would make me listen to it for the third time. Also my daughter said it was boring. Two stars for relaxing production.

A band I've never really taken any notice of to be honest. having a go this morning though. I'm finding it dull and uninspiring, can't see me getting through all ten tracks....

Unremarkable

I've heard this one a few times over the years - I'm just not in to the singer's voice.

Eh

If you like wordsmith, you'll love this. I dont.

I never liked Belle and Sebastian. They are pretentious and their lyrics don't make any sense, but I listened to this anyway. I decided to read the lyrics for "The boy done wrong again" and really liked it. 1 out of 10 still isn't great, but maybe I should set aside superficial bias and listen more to the lyrics.

Whatever? All the work on it is competent and talented but I just don't really care for it overall, not really my style

Really just fine. Pretty similar throughout the album. 2.5/5

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............................

I wanted to like this, but just found it kinda meh. It started alright, but then just kinda melted into a mushy, somewhat boring, whiny, amateurish kinda slog. Two stars.

The guy can’t sing

The reason the first song on this is my favourite is becaus they all sound exactly the same. This album was not too bad but had so little variety and felt overly reserved and meek to the point of me getting bored a third of the way through every song. They all end in exactly the same way, either a fade out or a two chord outro with the last lyric repeated four or so times. It is undeniably well produced, the mix had room to breathe, sat well and didn't sound grating in any way. It was consistent across all the songs. Overall, well produced, but the songwriting severely lacks variety. I can sort of see the appeal for one or two of these songs occasionally coming up in a playlist, but an entire album of them in one sitting was just uninteresting. Track scores: Track scores: The Stars of Track & Field 4/5 Seeing Other People 2/5 Me And The Major 2/5 Like Dylan in The Movies 3/5 The Fox in The Snow 2/5 Get Me Away from Here, I’m Dying 2/5 If You’re Feeling Sinister 3/5 Mayfly 2/5 The Boy Done Wrong Again 2/5 Judy and the Dream of Horses 2/5

2 sterne

Holy shit, this sucks. The editors are madly in love with '90's-'00's (especially British) indie rock. How boring. These bands have nothing substantive to say, contribute nothing interesting musically, and still come off as pretentious. Anyway, this 2* album should be removed in favor of Stone Temple Pilots' Core, which is a clear 4*.

This has to be one of the most indie albums of all time, if you can even quantify that kind of thing. It reminded me of music that some friends of mine would play in college, but I never really learned who it was. Maybe it was B&S, maybe it was this album. Unfortunately, the reason I never found out is probably the same as the reason I don't love it here- it's just a bit too boring for me. Is it bad? No, it's not. But it's also not that interesting to me. All of the tracks are built the same and have the same vibe. The only change is that some seem a little happy, while others are mostly sad. Without more going on, I didn't feel engaged or drawn in for the experience. Probably the most it got my attention was on the more-upbeat Mayfly, but even that was pretty subdued for the most part. I'd probably like the songs here more in a smaller sequence, or mixed up on a diverse playlist. As a whole, though, the melancholy is a bit much. I think I've realized from this list that these rainy-day albums don't do a lot for me (at least not on normal days). All told, this was a fine enough album. It's just too meh for me to say very much good about it. Overall: 2.3/5

Dnf, mid.

Didn’t really care for this one. The vocals were nice but I don’t even remember not rating it in the first place. I listened twice and still have no recollection of what was in it.

Nick drake clone? It's alright but not great.

Meh, just dull.

Like Dylan in the Movies Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying

Seeing Other People If You’re Feeling Sinister The Boy Done Wrong Again

Not their best

I thought this one was worse than the other B&S entry, same boring early 00’s sound but less interesting subject matter. Maybe I missed it but there doesn’t seem to be anything going on of note, it just sounds like background music for a crappy commercial 1.7

weird vocals

3/3 meh album

Some of the tunes are quite lovely. particularly on seeing other people. But then that voice comes in, and I want it to be over.

I cannot explain why I am not a fan of this one, the songwriting and production are great, it has some great motifs, but overall it feels so beige.

I didn’t mind this album although the lyrics seemed a bit much.

This fucking list makes me look like I hate music

This album was a chore to listen to. I hate his voice. The music is bland and boring. It’s incredibly hard to get through the beginning of the songs. The songs get better later into them once the pace picks up, but still mediocre at best.

Beetje saai

Not really for me. It's pleasant, but doesn't do much for me, I had mostly zoned out around the middle of the album. I've heard a few of their tracks in the past, never really felt the need to listen to them.

Never has the vibe of a band music matched the vibe of their name. I thought this album was a field of flowers, cause I skipped through it.

And once again, an album I have no idea how this could end on this list. Boring, meandering storytelling, nothing remotely memorable (besides the boredom).

I've never listened to a Belle and Sebastian album start-to-finish before. This just isn't grabbing me. I feel bored, and frequently it sounds like the singer is bored with the music too.

Honestly, I don't remember listening to this yesterday, however I know I did, therefore getting a 2 rating

Could not get into this. Not bad, just not my thing

So boring.

Oh I'm feeling sinister alright. I'm not normal. I'm an absolute freak

легкий ненавязчивый поп без изысков. Скучно

cool to hear some folksy music from outside of the US. overall, it was a pleasant listen, but folk music isn't always my jam

A bit vanilla for me. B&S lose a point for beating the Propellerheads to Best Newcomer at the 1999 Brit Awards.

Do I actually like music? Or am I just a basic bitch that likes Taylor Swift, Melodic Dubstep, and.... and country? I knew there would be some albums I didn't fully enjoy. But this album made me rethink my whole life... Didn't even listen to the whole thing. I'm gonna go listen to some 2010's pop classics.

My first reaction was that it was a bit boring, but I enjoyed it more as it went on. 5/10 Decent

I don't understand this type of music

Feels like a cheesy 90s sitcom, I wasn’t very interested.

היה מגניב אבל קצת משעמם נרדמתי

I didn’t have a favourite track of this album.

I'm a bit of a sucker for plenty of piano holding down the bottom end, but that really only took me so far. Utterly inoffensive.

I decided to listen to this specifically when I was feeling sinister, but apparently that just means I need to see a minister or listen to bland ass unsinister music.

This album might push you over the edge if you're feeling sinister

We get it. You’re weird, don’t fit in and are jealous of others. There’s no need for the whole album to be about that

Bit boring isn’t it

Not sure about this one. His voice sounded whiny after a while. I like the style though

Chill, fine, Paul Simon vibes. Prob wouldn’t reach for it

No es para nada mi estilo

Well that was a particularly uninspiring listen. There were a few moments where it almost got interesting.. but then yeah nah.. meh.

I don't really enjoy this. It's just too slight.

Not very interesting

Mumble mumble mumble

343/1089 - The songs are pretty good (notes and rhythms) but the guys voices are abysmally bad. Out of tune, no enunciation, and weak in an unintersiting way. Essentially the music is a 5 and the vocals are a 0.

167 - Ugh! Me cargan! - Cambialo entonces! No lo sigas escuchando - He escuchado MUCHAS HORAS DE HIP HOP como para saltarme esto.

This album was alright, it was nice having it in the background because it was quite chill. Nothing really exciting happened, especially given that this came out in the late 90s, where music like that would've been maybe more popular in the 60s, but it's okay, it was pretty chill overall.

I have a hard time listening to folk music. Listening to this really dragged.

The name always reminds of the French kids show on TV from the late 60s…..the album is ok, song are so similar though, easy listening though, nice background music

Liked the music more than I expected, but the voice is unlistenable.

Just ok, kinda milquetoast.

Honestly, I had it on in the background, wasn't very interested. My bad?

really reminded me of bowie and simon and garfunkel, but i really did not care for the flat vocals :( 2.5/5 not for me

Not my sorta music but some relaxing songs. They’ll be sad to hear it just missed 3 stars.

A bit bland for me, but not unpleasant. Could listen in an elevator or walking round a shopping mall.

Honestly kinda dull and boring

It's definitely something. If it's something I could not die without, I'm not sure. 2 outta 5

I really like TigerMilk by Belle & Sebastian and have listened to that album alot over the years so I know it well. I have not listened to "If You're Feeling Sinister" previously and I was largely underwhelmed. The whimsy is very much there - but the charm/ catchy hooks appear to be lacking. Very disappointing and surprising given this album was recorded very close to Tigermilk.

Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying

An album for those easily triggered and need safe spaces.

this group has never been my jam, sounds like movie credits music or smth

overstays its welcome, which isn't high praise for a 41 minute album. it's good, it's just not all that varied

Well this was totally inoffensive. Just a plain and pleasant listen. There’s some basic arrangement ideas here but the recording keeps it fairly devoid of dynamics so by the end I just felt flat and emotionless. I’m not sure what exactly would make this a must listen album but it’s not bad. It’s just good. That’s all. Just good.

Sort of inoffensive indie, but it was a pleasant listen. Pretty vocals and instruments

Meh nothing special for me

Would not buy.

I don’t think I needed a second album from this artist.

Not my type of sad Brooklyn coffee shop vibes

An inoffensive waste of my time. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ Why? ★★☆☆☆ (4/10)

2.5 - Meh

I gave TigerMilk a 4 as have listened to that album alot over the years so I know it well. I have not listened to "If You're Feeling Sinister" previously and I was largely underwhelmed. The whimsy is very much there - but the charm/ catchy hooks appear to be lacking. Very disappointing and surprising given this album was recorded very close to Tigermilk.

Quite boring

The music is fairly pleasing but the affected vocals were close to unbearable. Having to wade through a lot of mediocracy in these choices for 101 albums..

Overall just very bland for my liking. The vocals especially. Favorite track: The Fox in the Snow

Molt happies molt lineal,música de fondo en un día d’estar a casa tranquil.No son l’estil que escolto i la veu cantarinaguda del cantant molta estona acaba ratllant. Un 5 pelat.

Don’t like it. Coffee shop

A little different than I was expecting and thought I knew what Belle and Sebastian was about. It gave me Sufjan, Modest Mouse and Broken Social Scene vibes... all after 1998. Good album but not my exact jam. Glad to have the knowledge and move onto the next one.

I appreciate what they're doing, but this brand of soft indie isn't for me.

Very whingeing whiny voice that grates a bit too much after a while. Songs all quite samey and - wait - did I hear a stylophone? Much as I loved playing about on my grandad’s stylophone in the ‘70s, there’s no place for it in proper music. Put it in back in the toy box with your recorder, kazoo and harmonica (and then drop the box off a cliff).

#142/1001. I've always wanted to be a Belle and Sebastian fan, but they never adopted me.

eh

I don’t understand this album’s place in time. It’s not an album from 1996. Maybe the mid 2010s. Also, it’s like Beck and maybe The Decemberists had a special cousin who they were being kind to and let in the studio for a bit.

Some good on here like the title track but a lot of it just felt like rip off morrisey vocals on top of limited and odd instrumentals. Can only go for 2 stars

Chill mellow stuff. Nothing Id personally go looking for but not bad. 2.5 goin down.

That was very ...meh. I think Josh Pike, or maybe Architecture in Helsinki would be an appropriate replacement.

Oh I thought this album was just really boring and insipid. Did not even appreciate the Nick Drake pastiches even if they were "ahead of their time."

His voice and style of music feels like he'd be in a movie as a love interest, and if it was a movie for teenagers he'd come off as a really cool and deep guy, but if it was a movie for anyone older he'd be the current boyfriend of the love interest and he'd be so obviously lame. Both characters would be played exactly the same way. It's not awful but it just makes me want to listen to other artists that did it better.

I've heard this groups name too much but never listened. I'm not in the mood for this. Just feels like it lacks the warmth of it's predecessors. I would not say that this is required listening.

Elevator music. Not bad, but totally forgettable.

Softly-sung tunes about quiet desperation. It was fine, but also undeniably I was waiting for this to end.

Not a fan.

eh, alright, not my type of music

Made it through the whole album, but not the best. A little raw.

Didn’t do very much for me.

Like these but very steady away

** Harmless and boring

I so want to like B&S (probably what their fans call them, like, "hey let's listen to some B&S and drink kombucha absinthe cocktails). Maybe if I did that, I might enjoy this more, to be honest.

Why's he whispering the whole time

Music a Zooey Dechenel character would listen to (derogatory)

Another love 'em or hate 'em situation. Not my cup of tea

Honestly just didn't really draw me in in any way.

A little too soft and feely for my liking.

Indie pop is very hit or miss for me and this album is a miss. I can't really tell you who though. It might be the singing that sounds sad even in the more up beat songs. It might be the random flute not quite feeling like it was on pitch. Most likely is that its all the small things together that makes me not want to listen to this again.

Another band that I never understood why everyone raved about them - they just don't do it for me. They're reminiscent of Kevin Ayers and their vocal style is just as depressing.

Can’t say I was ever a big fan of B&S, but as a youth I had a sense of “these guys are innately cool because people who like other music I like, also like them.” I am amending that: they’re not innately cool, I find this album sort of annoying, and I probably won’t ever listen to it again.

Interesting and strange lyrics music was ok 2.5

De muziek klinkt best goed, totdat de zanger erover heen begint te zingen. Wát is dat maaaaatig zeg! Echt oprecht, de melodieën zijn prima, niet wereldschokkend ofzo, maar gewoon prima te doen. Maar de zanger klinkt alsof het meer een parodie is op zingen dan daadwerkelijk zn best doen. De stem is te hoog en ik durf bijna te zeggen dat ik het beter zou kunnen. En ik word met karaoke avonden al vriendelijk verzocht om toch vooral een instrumentaal nummer te kiezen. God, wat sneu voor deze band. Alles klinkt prima en dan heb je die zanger die er een beetje overheen aan het janken is. Echt zonde dat hij op letterlijk elk nummer een veel te prominente rol speelt... Uiteindelijk, dan bij het allerlaatste nummer, heb ik het idee van 'dit is niet verschrikkelijk'. Is het Stockholm? Of ben ik gewoon gewend aan de stem? Of misschien kan het me niets meer boeien? In elk geval, het laatste nummer irriteert me niet en vind ik zelfs best wel goed. Ze krijgen een ster erbij voor het feit dat het muzikaal gewoon goed in elkaar zit. Als er een acapella nummer tussen had gezeten was het absoluut gewoon 1 ster. FAVO: Judy and the dream of horses

It's music. It doesn't grab me. It's just.... songs. Nothing special, just a meh fest

They received rave reviews when they emerged, couldn't really see why at the time. After listening to this album, I still can't. I don't think there is anything particularly exceptional about them. Not bad enough for a 1 though.

This is a tricky one. Ive always avoided this lot as it didn't seem like my sort of thing. After the 2nd song, I was thinking ' this is not bad'. But then it started to get more tweets and folky as it went on. I don't mind twee, but folky is a no go.

idk its pretty mid it may be good on a long road with a lot of trees on the way to a lake but other than that i don’t fw it.

Not my favourite offering of theirs.

Why is this a top album? I even like Belle and Seabass, and I am kind of disappointed in this one.

2.5

This is literally a government-funded band. Of course their music is shite.

The Good: We are forewarned, that this music is for those who are sinister The Bad: What are we to do if we are not sinister? The Ugly: Finding out that Belle is Stuart, and so is Sebastian… The only light-point for me is that the length of the album is an acceptable 40 minutes. Aside from that I found the entire experience forgettable, almost to the point of a massive waste of my time. Also, and I am only ranting here, but what it is with people not knowing which category music belongs to? If you check the wiki page then you see the terms “Indie Pop”, “Indie Rock”, “Chamber Pop”, “Chamber Folk”, “Twee Pop”… I am missing the term “Shit Music”! There was a time when music was limited to; classical, jazz, rock, pop, folk… I would label this folk and that’s it. One final thing, to be fair, the production is great, no complaints there. 2*

There's a golden age for works like this. I'd say it's probably about 13.

no me gusta i’m not feeling sinister, thanks boring

Some easy listening, adult 90's alt rock pop stuff. nah

On first listen not hitting the spot for me. Many of the elements are there - easy going music with lyrics that demand you listen to them. It's probably the vocal delivery that's not working for me. So a 2 out of 5.

The vocals are weak and the musical arrangements are simplistic and unimaginative. Not very engaging. It just strikes me as weak pop. Disappointing.

Gear: ZMF Bokeh Artwork: 👱‍♀️☹️🟥 Production: 🙄🤔🤷 Music: 🙄🎭✂️ Rating: 👢👢/5

1. track - 1.5 2. people - 1 3. major - 2 4. dylan - 2 5. foz - 2 6. dying - 1.5 7. zinizter - 1.5 8. may - 1 9. boy - 2 10. judy - 1.5

While I’ve never listened nor searched for this band or duo or whatever they’re called, it was meh. Lots of want to be emo, want to be REM and want to be whatever but to be honest… it was just noise. Emo noise. Doesn’t want me to break out eyeliner and cry about life

Maybe I would feel more generous towards something that seems romantic, but I just got out of a 10-year relationship, so it's hard on the ears for me right now. Definitely skillfully made, but it just didn't land for me.

Mayfly was pretty catchy but overall I'm not a fan of the whispy vocals much. Judy and the Dream Horses I've heard somewhere, a movie soundtrack maybe? I do kind of like that song but not overall enough to raise this album beyond a 2.

Not feeling it at all. Somewhat updated 60s brit-pop. Singer is a bit too twee for my taste. 2 stars.

I made the mistake of listening to this album while sleep deprived. It sounds like an album of music they play in a dentist’s office waiting room. Every instrument and all the singing was performed with care so as to not offend the listener. God damn is it boring. I’d imagine it’s a good album to slit your wrists too.

TIL this isn’t a guy/girl duo

Songs are well done, but become a bit too similar. Not a bad album, just a little too slow for me. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again

Not my thing

Don't know what to expect. Their band name sounds pretty forgettable. Liking the red in the album cover. Hoping to be entertained. The Stars of Track & Field Clunky title. Barely audible guitar. Obnoxious writing style. Strange voice. Questionable chorus. Don't mind the trumpet, sounds pretty good when repeating the vocal melody. I don't get it. 2/5 Seeing Other People I can't stand the writing style. The really uninteresting instrumentation doesn't help. I get the concept, but I just don't like it very much. Doesn't work for me at all. 1.5/5 Me and the Major The instrumentation is at least pretty interesting. I like the tempo and I liked the way the harmonica is implemented at first, though it gets really obnoxious at the end. The vocal melody is alright, though I still hate the way the lyrics are laid out. Not my thing. 2/5 Like Dylan in the Movies Some decent melodies in there, don't mind the chorus. His voice isn't my cup of tea, but it works better in this track than the previous songs. I'm not in love with the instrumentation, though I see what they're going for. Doesn't sound bad, it's just not what I'm looking for. Fine. 3/5 The Fox in the Snow Wish I got this, sounds like something I'd enjoy, but I just don't for some reason. Just has an off-putting aura to it. Reminds me of Phil Elverum, who I'm generally a huge fan of, so there's no reason for me to dislike it, I just do. Did not like. 2/5 Get Me Away from Here, I'm Dying Genuinely hate everything about this song. Just does not work at all for me. Hope someone else can find enjoyment in it, but to me that was awful. No thank you. 1/5 If You're Feeling Sinister The children in the background are pretty distracting. Vocal melody is pretty nice. The instrumental captures a calming tranquility, sounds great. Don't mind the lyrics that much, some lines are a bit cringe, but it's fine for what it is. Decent. 3.5/5 Mayfly Decent instrumental, feels nostalgic for some reason. This song is kinda pretty, I think the lyrics although a bit strange work pretty well. The additional vocals add a nice texture to the song. I like the guitar a lot here. The mayfly concept paints a pretty relatable image, I see the vision here. Good. 4/5 The Boy Done Wrong Again No that's just cheesy, the alternating vocals at the start is not a great choice. Such a vocal focused track doesn't work when the listener hates the vocals, can't fault the artist here, but I don't like his voice at all. There are some moments of instrumental beauty here, the strings have some really resonant composition to them. The lyrics are fine. Average. 2.5/5 Judy and the Dream of Horses Every critisism I have for this track has already been said about different tracks. Feels like an amalgation of all the things I've disliked about this album. The main emotion this makes me feel is annoyance. Obnoxious. 1.5/5 Really not my cup of tea. I know it comes down to personal preferance, but from the moment I heard the first song I knew I'd have some major problems with this project. Firstly, his voice is so grating to my ears, everything from the inflections to the pitch, even the energy just does not work for me at all. Secondly, the writing style doesn't land. There are many attempts at storytelling, but I'm just not a fan of how it's laid out. Which elements are emphasised, which lines are repeated and sometimes the general structure, the way these are set up doesn't feel captivating or poetic to me at all. It's just off-putting and messy. Finally there's a lack of variety. There isn't much change in energy from song to song, and a fair few of them is condensed mostly into vocals and guitar. While that in itself isn't necessarily a problem, the real issues start when it's combined with other parts I don't like. There really isn't one big elephant in the room for me to pick apart at, there are just these smaller annoyances which stack on top of each other which really ruins the experience. I do however see how some people could relate more to this than I do. I definitely won't call it generic as I think his voice and narration style sets it apart from similar indie projects of the time. For me this exact style was a detriment, but for others I think it might be the selling point of the album. In the songs that really worked I genuinely felt that I was transported into the scenes that were described. There is definitely some potential in there for vivid imagery. I'm also gonna add that I thought the production was pretty stellar throughout. Each instrument felt crisp and alive, and the mixing really put the right emphasis on which element was the most important at all times. The orchestral moments were definitely a highlight, the classical sounds contrast well against his shrill and personable voice. Not bad, don't really like it though. I see how people could enjoy this so would recommend listening to it if I knew the person was into this era of indie music. Won't personally be returning to it. 2/5 Fave Track. Mayfly Least fave track. Get Me Away from Here, I'm Dying

Somebody please give these people a coffee and tell them melodies can do more than dance around the same three notes.

Kinda cool but campy. Sing songy and almost nursery rhyme like. Can get boring. But all in all some okayish britbop.

This album sounded a little undercooked, like a bunch of demos. Pretty boring stuff.

This was a little tedious - another band that I feel like on paper I should like, but I have never warmed to. I find Stuart Lee Murdoch's voice equal parts boring / annoying. I'm sure this band was a huge influence for many bands I do like, I just got nothing from listening to it.

I wish I felt any kind of way about this. I’ve heard multiple times about how good Belle & Sebastian are, but listening to this gave me no emotion whatsoever. I didn’t hate it, love it, like it, anything. It’s rare that I feel this much indifference to music, which makes it a failure in my book. But it’s not technically “bad” so I can’t only give it one star.

Not strong feelings

Not gonna lie; Indie music shrinks my dink. (Opposite of floats my boat?)

Just wimpy music. It wasn't awful and grew on me a bit but it just left me sad more than anything.

Wow, that was boring. The album was so unimpressive that it didn't even get on my nerves, even though I didn't like the vocals. 2/5

Maybe 2* is unfair, because there's nothing really wrong with this album. My problem with it is probably that it sounds like some people just did a load of drugs and tried to make a Bowie Album. Drugs and music are a bit of a match made in heaven, but this is a swing and a miss. Maybe they weren't on drugs, in which case that could be the problem. Who knows.

Not my favorite. It made me think about the Gilmore Girls world. Same vibes 🍁🍂

Not my cup of tea, I found everything either boring, lame or both (and I'm not doing a second listen to verify any of those claims). Still better than Bob Dylan or Elton John's albums lol 4/10

5/10. Just very mid

Too twee for me

Ok bit musac

2 - kinda a strange listen with nice melodies but nothing very captivating or entertaining for me

Very underwhelming

There are a few runs on this that are very nice, but mostly I didn't care for the writing, the music, or the vocals, so not much.

Musically it was ok. Vocally it left a lot to be desired.

vocals fucking sucked

как-то скучновато для меня оказалось, простите

Bietj saai. Vind zijn stem ook niet zo interessant.

Definitely not their best album. Could have generated at least 2 of their other albums, which are much better.

Belle and Sebastian have never been my thing. Still aren’t, I guess.

Not my cup of tea. However I dug the Ray Davies style vocals, but still found it hard to grasp.

Good lyrics are the only saving grace of this one. Disliked it as much as I thought I would unfortunately. It's proof there's something out there for everyone lol - I just could not get behind it. There was no direction

Not for me

i always thought I might find Belle & Sebastian boring. and I did!

Previously rated: Tigermilk (3/5) ********************** This guy's voice and singing style piss me off. I want to grab his guitar and smash it against the wall. The music is OK, nice sometimes, but that boy needs to grow a pair. Paul Simon thinks this guy is a puss. I had to turn on some Van Halen afterwards to feel like a man again. Best track: Me and the Major

Bit bored with it to be honest

frankly deadly

I am not sure what is going on here

Aika lällyä menoa, liian lällyä omaan makuun.

I prefer The Boy With The Arab Strap but this is nice too

Not my favourite B&S album, if I'm honest.

I listened to this and only one track stood out for me; “Like Dylan in the Movies”. I’m familiar with Belle and Sebastian but it was never my jam. B&S have a distinct vibe and it is probably a love or hate thing for most. Being the indie guy I am this should but up my alley but I find it just alright. I have no hate for really any music (minus Joanna Newsom) but I find Belle and Sebastian very meh. Maybe someday I’ll get it but for now I won’t seek it out but I also won’t actively avoid it.

Not nearly as good as Tiger Milk.

I worked with one of the most pretentious people I've ever met and this record was his Neil Young's Harvest. I didn't like this guy. And his music taste was rather awful. As if he enjoyed them ironically. This record was boring. Very amateur in sound. It didn't sound like the instruments were in time with one another. The singing is awful. It was more Sebastian than Belle. I don't know why this record is on here. This whole list is stupid. I'm almost a year in and I think I have less than a 3 star average. I understand when Bowie is on here, Elvis, AC/DC, Beatles, or Aretha Franklin... Etc etc. These are names that still circulate amongst music lovers. But Belle & Sebastian? Come on. They're not the worst band, that's for sure But they are a Solid 2 star band. There's nothing that screams "YOU HAVE TO HEAR THIS!" unless you're looking for boredom and maybe at best, a side smirk and eye brown raise worth of enjoyment.

I’m sorry, this is just a middle of the road Indie album and I’m not into the vocals at all. 2.4 stars

not my thing

Voisi toimi paremmin sunnuntaibrunssilla, jossa tarjoillaan pohjattomia mimosia. Työpäivän aikana ei niinkään.

Wel geinig verhaal

i see the appeal but this band aint for me

It was okay

I'll be honest I hit play, didn't realise I was on track 3. It's perfect background noise but the songs do kinda merge into one and you just assume your listening to one long song.

Listened Before? N Honestly, kind of boring. The singer mumbles and I'm not sure why there's like... 7 people in the band when their music is so basic and stripped down. Not a fan of this one. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Get Away from Here, I'm Dying

Painful

Not their best. Really poor

Sounds like a shy guy

I guess this is ok. I know people love this band. But neither album so far has done much for me.

Pretty good

Well, if this is often voted one of the best albums of the 90s this perhaps shows that by this time music was on its last legs. I’ve probably heard better. A lot of nothingness. Sad really. 🤔

Better than typical folk. Fun jazzy changes. 2 stars I guess.

Liked it initially, then it became meh... Then it kept on going and became annoying...

Overall, very meh. Nothing stood out and couldn't wait for the album to end.

Down tempo indie rock/chamber pop that was a precursor/influencer to artists I like more (Deathcab, Sufjan Stevens, Decemberists, etc.) but wasn't super into this.

I don't get the hype. They're talked about as indie darlings but I find them boring and staid. It just sits there and does very little. Just can't vibe with this.

I'm quite impressed with how the first song develops. Don't feel most of the rest of the album.

I have tried many times, but Belle & Sebastian just sounds boring (read: lack of edges, bland) to my ears. There's nothing _bad_ about it, but very little that grips me either. It's the same gripe I have with Nick Drake, and I very much see B&S in his tradition.

I’ll be honest, I’m coming in with a negative bias. There’s not many genres of music I hate more than the “emo-cutesy-folky-whiney” variant of the indie genre. So the baseline here is pretty low. In an attempt to put my bias aside, here’s what I’ll say about it… to start, this is a very well produced album. Great instrumentation, and the quiet / loud dynamic definitely keeps it interesting. I like that it’s much more than the “acoustic guitar with soft drums and some strings” that you usually get from this flavor of indie music. There’s some good musicianship here. If there was less cutesy lyrics and a different vocal delivery, I might actually somewhat enjoy it. But that being said, I just can’t bring myself to enjoy it. This one will be put back on the shelf forever, unless someday I decide to make an indie movie where someone is going on a long train ride in the rain to try and win back their high school sweetheart and I need to pull a couple songs for the soundtrack.

Unremarkable. I like a few of their songs but nothing on this album tickled my fancy

I have no idea what this dude is saying. No annunciation and soft fast talking. Music sounds fun though.

Not my vibe, modern folk, nice vocals and arrangements, dreamy girl music. I like the Judy horses closer

i could almost get behind this musically but it is just soooo saccharine and twee

Too dull for me.

Just leaves a bad taste in my ears

All sounds the same

Sounds like the background soundtrack played during a TV montage. Vocals are overly saccharine. Music is pleasant and competently played. It simply doesn't elicit any sort of emotional reaction from me. It exists, thoughtlessly, apart from whatever else I'm doing while it is on. If I force myself to focus on it I just get bored.

Boy is this twee. It's really hard for me to get past the aggressive tweeness of this.

too much sebastian, not enough belle. Did not make me feel sinister whatsoever.

Nice brit-pop but nothing special. Especially the inexpressive voice don´t convinces me and messes up the whole album. 2,5

The first impression from the opening 30 seconds was "I'm not sure about this, especially his voice." The music felt like the Indie sort of moody that usually doesn't connect with me. That being said, there was some moments on here I liked. The trumpet solo at the end of the opening track. "Like Dylan in the Movies" was great track, as "The Fox in the Snow." The Hamonica in "Me and the Major" felt a little much and killed that track for me. The second half of the album didn't really do much for me either. I can say with confidence that I don't need to hear this one again or check out anymore of their music

Jack Black refers to B&S as "old sad bastard music" in High Fidelity. Sounds about right. The singing is meh and the songs mostly aren't interesting (or in cases like the last two tracks are literally bad). Most definitely did not need to hear this before I die. I'm guessing this is something Millennial hipsters like. Not my cup o' Scottish tea.

Gratingly dull indie

The first song just pissed me off and I didn't recover from that until the middle of track #5, which was very nice indeed. So too was #6. Then I zoned out until final track #10 which perked up.

Bit whiney

This album and I did not click. I felt the lyrics were fairly mundane and boring, and kinda the same for the music. Hard to tell if it is a foreign thing or not. Sometimes it is what it is and doesn't really make sense as to why. I don't really have anything to say any why I think it's boring. Yes that was a reference to one of the lyrics. Favorite track "Get me away from here I'm dying" 2/5

Ein nettes Popalbum, aber wenig abwechslungsreich.

Not my thing

I’ve never been able to get into Belle & Sebastian and this album didn’t help. Bland, whiny and uninspiring.

Wederom was dit niks

According to Wikipedia, this is twee music - not sure exactly what that means. I just learned I don’t really like twee music.

Modern day folk music. Neither good or bad.

ho hum

Another Belle and Sebastian?

Could not really enjoy this.

Track and field - interesting opener that starts with acoustic, then brings in guitars, trumpets and drums. Seeing other people - the idea is right, but the execution is off...primarily because of the monotone lyrics, with no vocal range or depth Me and the Major - same problem as the previous track Like Dylan in the Movies - better. Definitely an improvement. The Fox in the Snow - utterly boring drivel. Get Away from here - Paul Simon-esque. Not good. Sinister - boring. Mayfly - also boring The boy done wrong - acoustic and listenable Judy - all over the place. A no. A hard choice between a 1 and 2, however I'll opt to give this 2 stars as there's one or two songs I might listen to again.

var finnas gym? först gå till ekenesvägen till väst... ska fram till rondellen kontinue fram och tar andra korsning till vänster.. följa gatan och ta andra korsning till höger. åka rakt fram till du ser en större parkingslot. gym är i lato. (mitäänsanomaton albumi = säger ingenting album) the boy done wrong again

I guess I can see why people would like this album. I am not those people.

I wanted to like this but it just seemed generic. Nothing stood out other than it being something that sounded like it SHOULD stand out.

Uskovat, että aina voi lisätä vielä yhden nuotin melodiaan. Saattavat jopa kokea, että tällä tavalla lopputulos paranee, ja joskus bändi riipiikin kasaan hyviä hetkiä. Nuotteja vähentämällä melodiat vain voisivat jäädä mieleen.

Uninspiring.

#78. This album wasn't any better than their other album on this list. Uninteresting mid-core. 2/5: lame

Bland

The musical equivalent of a crywank 😢 💦

Well crafted music but I’m not that into it. The lead singer’s vocals are too airy or something. He sings with a disconnected, disaffected tone that in turn keeps me at a distance too. The lyrics are interesting though. There are charter sketches with nice details and social commentary. There are also some pretty frank lyrics about sex. I just don’t think they’re best served by this stylistic choice in the vocals. This is just me though. I get why people like the band and I’d be curious to hear more from them. I did a second listen and my appreciation for the music deepened but my opinion on his vocals are the same. I just don’t want to spend much time with this voice.

The compositions are cool, and sometimes I hear a little bit of Neutral Milk Hotel (!) in there, like on "Me and the Major". I can't help but be a little bored by the vocal performances though. I've heard of this band before and I've definitely heard their songs but I don't remember just feeling so bored by the vocal parts. They are just so blah? Now that I've heard more of the album I also feel the same way about the other instruments and the production. It sucks because I can tell these are good songs; I can tell that they don't just pump out the same formulaic tracks that have worked for them once or twice and repeat it and expect people to listen and enjoy. It's quite the opposite actually- they have so many different structures, tempi, chord progressions and bigger ideas... but the performances feel so subdued. I know I need to give this one another listen. I've heard people sing praises of this band for years so there's got to be more than my first listen here.

just can't care about B&S

Ain't for me

Solid sound, but not my genre.

I liked their Tigermilk LP because the first song was great, horns and strings were added to some of the others and I’m a baroque pop fan (a recent discovery thanks to 1001). And the lyrics were wistful yet funny. This time round the lyrics are still good, but the arrangements seem sparser and more acoustic, making the songs reliant on Stuart Murdoch’s limited voice. I’m surprised we’d get two releases (from the same year) from these guys.

It's okay I guess. Too meh in terms of sound and vibe. I might need to understand it more to like it.

I always liked a couple of songs...to me they feel like some sort of children's band that sings about adult shit.

Not a great start. Like a semi-talented theater kid with a very supportive drama teacher is putting on an original musical in the local Eagles hall. Why is this even on here?

Slow

The musicianship is good, and the lyrics are better but lead singer's voice ruins it for me.

Whomever gave this guy confidence enough to sing should be given an uppercut. Uncompelling and a little irritating.

Boring

forgettable. belle production 5/10

This was just okay. Not sure why there are multiple albums from them in this list.

Bit boring