Tigermilk

If The Eagles are an IKEA table - assembled and available for people who simply want a table to put things on rather than anything else - then Belle & Sebastian are an artisan working out of their own woodshop, hewing tables out of trees they've felled themselves. Sure, you have to pay a bit more, and sure it won't be ready for at least 6 months, but when the table does arrive you'll want to show it off: imperfections, visible carving strokes, notches, resin stains and all. Because this table will carry stories with it, and it will lend itself to further stories, and it will surprise you with the joy you feel every time you come into your dining room and find a one of a kind table sitting there; your table. Table.

ok this is a hipster's dream. boring folky songs with very light marching beat drums, singer(s?) never raises his voice high enough to know if he can actually sing or not, general sound like the postman pat theme. So inoffensive it makes me want to go commit crimes just to make up for how fucking boring it is. 2/5 because I pity it more than I outright hate it.

I'd have never paired Beauty from Beauty and the Beast with the crab from The Little Mermaid, but Disney have done it here and it has resulted in a fairly okay record. It hasn't blown my mind in the same way a collaboration between Scar and Princess Jasmine would have.

Beautiful, eclectic indie pop album. Everything fits together and is meaningful with each second passing. Each song has a life of their own and presented in their own take. A musical journey of an album that set up an unique, intriguing sound from this group. Stand-Outs: The State I Am In, We Rule The School

I know they're twee and often cloying (and beloved of the cardigan brigade) but this was a revelation to me: truly bumming lyrics clothed most often in upbeat, layered music. Real kitchen sink stuff with occasional moments of pure elation across a remarkable debut album. 'Expectations' and 'She's Losing It' are stars amongst several all-timers on here. And it's all the result of a Scottish welfare scheme. This was the first album I bought when I moved to the UK in the late '90s, probably because it had been rereleased on Jeepster. Proof that those listening posts in HMV Oxford St really worked.

I am torn ... is good, easy-listening, nice music to wake to. But I don't find it exciting in any way. Listened to a few newer songs (Tigermilk is their 1st album), and they are still similar. So for me, it is still just "meh".

Not really anything positive I can add for this album unfortunately. I found it supremely mediocre and extremely boring. None of the tracks sounded like they differentiated from each other and each song was like listening to a replay of the last. The first and last songs could be passed as the same without too much convincing. In addition to this the music is mediocre and nothing to get excited over. I honestly fail to work out how this album would make it’s way into any top 20,000 list let alone 10001 of all time. 1 Star

They're in full flower on Tigermilk, surfacing on tunes throughout the album, but crystallizing on the skipping "She's Losing It," rushed "Expectations," '60s throwback "I Could Be Dreaming," and, especially, "The State I Am In," a masterful melodrama that points toward the richness of If You're Feeling Sinister, which arrived just a few months later. Those are the moments when Belle and Sebastian feel preternaturally gifted, seeming to know precisely who they were right out of the gate.

"I gave myself to sin, I gave Myself to providence and I've Been there and back again The state that I am in." (The state that I am in) "Tell Veronica the secrets of the boy you never kissed" (Expectations) *heart emoji*

Cool debut album from one of the first indie bands to warm our hearts. Twas a refreshing listen!

I really love this album. It is like being Cleopatra and getting into a lovely warm bath of milk (Tigermilk).

To my mind one of the best Belle and Sebastian albums. The lyrics are wry, well observed and witty. Every time I listen to it I smile to myself, and even if I am feeling tired it always perks me up. The brass work on Losing It is terrific and really lifts the track. My favourite track is Expectations. It is sobering to think that the references to Debenhams are somewhat dated, how social trends evolve!

Beautiful

Love this one, Thanks for introducing me

'You're just a baby' is Robert Plant's favourite from this. The guy loves babies. Not in a good way.

Fragile contents. Handle with care. Second B&S album on 1001 and I wish I was converted. Maybe once Arab Strap shows up sometime in 2023. I just can't get on board yet. I feel for you Belle. You're a gentle underdog. You see beauty and sadness in subtle corners. You still have the lightness of youth. You're a bit irritating to hang out with. Delicate stemware. C

I was convinced I wouldn't be rating this above 4 stars. I'm a fan of the band, but have always much preferred the sublime "If You're Feeling Sinister", which I had on here a few weeks ago. "Tigermilk", while a very assured debut, doesn't reach the same heights. Still, as I listened to it with fresh ears, I kept waiting for a reason to knock it down, for the weak link... and none came. It's got "The State I Am In", "Expectations" and "She's Losing It" as an opening triage which are all incredible. Perfect balance between detailed, vivid character studies and warm, reassuring melodies. "Mary Jo" gives "Eleanor Rigby" a run for its money as a study in loneliness. "My Wandering Days Are Over" is up there with my all time favourites by the band. "Electronic Renaissance" is the outlier, sure... but at least it's an experiment with a different sound. So they're going to have to take my five stars- sometimes nothing else will do.

I just adore this album. it's twee as fuck, and I don't care!! It's awesome!! I feel weird giving it 5 stars because I think their output continues to improve in the next two releases, but ... oh well!

Perfektes Debut, der kalifornischen Schotten, mit gleichbleibend hohem Niveau in puncto Songwriting, eigener Handschrift & Alltagsgeschichten wie aus Indie Movies entlehnt, die erst noch gedreht werden mussten. Ihre Ästhetik bedient sich in Verweisen auf französische Nouvelle Vague, Jonathan Richmans Ringel-Shirt mit Halstuch und Literatur im Allgemeinen und dabei sind sie so aufreizend mühelos stilprägend, denn ihr leiser Tonfall war im Britpop des Jahres 1996 eher die Ausnahme, Quiet is the New Loud als Mini Hype noch nicht erfunden und auch mit nur einem Finger den Nuller Electroclash ("Electric Renaissance") mal eben angestupst und wieder im Schrank versteckt. Vor allem aber haben sie vieles andere überdauert, sich bis zu einem gewissen Punkt ("The Life Pursuit") weiterentwickelt, bis es einfach nicht mehr weiterging, ohne sich selbst zu karikieren. Werde immer etwas melancholisch horny wenn ich eines ihrer frühen Alben höre - ganz unabhängig von diesem Cover. schmachtende 4.7

I listened to this

Nr. 23/1001 The State I Am In 4 Expectations 3 She's Losing It 5 You're Just A Baby 4 Electronic Renaissance 4 I Could Be Dreaming 4 We Rule The School 4 My Wandering Days Are Over4 I Don't Love Anyone 3 Mary Jo 3 Average: 3,8 Fantastic little pop album

Belle & Sebastian is a group that I’ve flat out failed getting into despite being a perfect band for me on paper. So many of their influences, contemporaries, and bands that cite them as an influence are all favorites of mine, yet I’d feel something revolting inside of me every time I’d try to give them a go. This is a perfect example of why I wanted to take on this project. I left my preconceived notions at the door before giving this another shot, and I’m happy I did. I think my biggest hurdle with them has always been Stuart Murdoch and his whispy vocals, it was a problem I was still having initially this go around. Then I got to Electronic Renaissance and things seem to be finally clicking into place. I Could Be Dreaming helped me further, and by We Rule the School I was doing a firm 180 on how I felt about their sound as a whole. The entire back half won me over, and as soon as it ended, I played the whole thing again. Most of the albums I’ve been reviewing on here have been based on initial impressions after a single play-through, and that’s where I’ve left most of them at since, but I’m halfway through my fourth play-through and I’m really beginning to love this album. Looking forward to more by them when they no doubt show up again on this list.

Belle and Sebastian are a band that, frankly, should’ve graced my eardrums much earlier than 2022. I’m a huge Matador Records fan, and I love a lot of their contemporaries - Yo La Tengo and Stereolab for starters. They were always on my periphery, but I never really took the time to listen. I think I probably fell victim to the stereotype on this one - that they are/were exceedingly twee. Not gonna lie, they kind of are, but Tigermilk is still a fantastic record, especially if you love 60’s psych/pop filtered through the lens of 90’s indie rock. The production is great, the songs are well crafted and to the point, the instrumentation is varied and impeccably played. This is a really great record and I’m disappointed in myself for not giving Belle and Sebastian a chance before now. RIYL: Yo La Tengo’s “Fakebook”, Stereolab, The Shin’s “Oh, Inverted World”

I used to love this album when I was younger, it was exactly how I felt. But now the undertone of sadness inherent in the lyrics is a little too painful. Still, one of the better albums out there.

I thought this was a solid debut for them. The melodies are pretty catchy and they straddle the line between cheery and depressing with the combination of their instrumentation of lyrics. Favorite Track: The State I Am In Least Favorite Track: Mary Jo

It's a soft, sweet, and wistful album. If it was a tad more twee it would be too saccharine for me but this is juuust right! This Aussie gives it four arvo cuppas out of five.

Meh. It’s fine background music. As a flute player, I enjoyed the intro to Mary Jo. Maybe I need to listen again to focus on the lyrics… but in first listen, it’s a 70s-throwback pop album, but not something that compels me to look up more from Belle & Sebastian. Honestly, as a band I’ve seen lauded repeatedly over the years, this is disappointing.

Eh, shouldn't really be on here, it's closer to a collection of demos than a great album. I grabbed a bootleg of this after playing "If You're Feeling Sinister" to death, and was sorely disappointed. Such an awful cover photo too. Probably ruined them for Mark now, thanks a lot..

The relentlessly prosaic lyrics border on the ridiculous. The mellifluous vocals border on the ridiculous. The band's obsession with melody borders on the ridiculous. The sum total of this ridiculousness? The sublime. If you want to figure out how, remember that pop music thrives off excess. This is just a different type of excess than we're used to.

I liked this within the first 10 seconds. The vocals are a combo of folky, lovely and depressing. I like how the different well played instruments move in and out and the many style changes including a very captivating electronic tune (Elec Ren) after which the instruments really come alive on “Could be dreaming”. To top it off, just when I was thinking I had it w ambience, Mary Jo ended and did Tigermilk. It's nice to see cool school projects that don't involve blowing shit up.

I mean it's nice music and all, but this is just that kind of music that I cannot stand. Jingly jangly wishy washy boring waffly indie. Get out of my ears!

Nope. Not gonna do it. Fingernails on a blackboard, mixed with children's songs and bubblegum. But not in an interesting way. One star due to rounding error. I don't have to listen to this before I die.

Top song: she’s loving it

There's a lovely low key intimacy present, like a bard or a sage telling you a secret fable in a hushed voice over a gentle acoustic backing. Comparisons to Donovan and Nick Drake seem inevitable but Stuart Murdoch's voice and tone reminds me of Peter Daltry, from the 60s UK psych band Kaleidoscope. Although it's fairly twee and whimsical music the lyrics are often darkly poetic and that is a nice contrast. And there's a vibrant splash of colour added via trumpet, violin and cello. All in all this is well crafted music right up my avenue.

One of my dumbest life choices has been failing to listen to Belle and Sebastian more before this

I bought this album rather late in the day as a vinyl re-release. Despite its occasional bout of twee-ness (not unexpected given the band's name derived from the kind of kids' broadcasting from 1960s BBC), I think this is a strong debut album of confessional type songs. It benefits from not just being a singer-songwriter effort, with a proper band playing.

This is one my favorite albums of all time.

Belle and Sebastian were already one of my faves, so I really enjoyed this album

MARAVILHOSO UM DOS MELHORES ALBUMS OAT

A heck of a debut. Band is already fully formed and firing on almost full throttle. Such a lovely record… great instrumentation, wonderful harmonies, great stuff.

The pictures this paints of small town life and the stories it contains make me smile everytime. The fact that they are laid over beautifully done pop music with a healthy dose of quirk and charm makes it even better. I loved it then and i love it now

I used to listen to Belle & Sebastian all the time. In the Stone Age, back when I used iTunes, I’d literally filter the Belle & Sebastian discography every evening and just let it play all night. The output of this band is such a vibe, and going back to Tigermilk brought back so many memories. It’s impossible for me to rate objectively, and for that, I’m blessed.

They really had it from the jump

Yes it could be seen as twee and fey but so bloody good. Many of these lyrics and melodies have been living in my head for over 25 years now and they still stand up, fresh and timeless. Some astonishingly good songs, well-produced and perfectly sequenced. What the heck, it's nearly flawless in its own unique, imperfect way: give it a five.

Really good.

Pleasantly surprised by this one. I previously only knew Fox in the Snow by them, which I adore. First song is so good, really set the tone for the rest of it. It really only gets better as it goes too, weaving a lot of prominent genres of the time together while also sounding a lot like the indie rock that was yet to come at this point. My best reference point is to describe it like a better Arcade Fire way before Arcade Fire existed. This is such a strong debut album. I will be listening to this all day.

Up until about 2005 I genuinely thought that Belle and Sebastian had figured it out, that they were the one band people would obviously enjoy, if not love. Still kind of crazy to me that that’s not the case, especially with their early stuff in mind, but apparently it is.

This is one of my all time favorite albums and the uncontrollable glee I felt when it popped up only reaffirmed that. Such catchy tunes that have a sort of timeless indie sound. Knowing the backstory of the album, which was essentially funded by a public Scottish arts fund for out of work musicians, only adds to its genius because of how improbable its existence is. My favorites as always were "The State I Am In" (which amazingly endures as one of their best songs despite being the very first song on their very first album), "Expectations," and "Electronic Renaissance."

Listened on the back of a motorcycle through mountains. Very nice moment. I like the spaciness of the sounds at points and the liberal use of flute.

I adore this record. It fills me with hope and joy. Forthright and utterly unpretentious, both musically and lyrically (which is extraordinary for a debut). Ear worms in abundance. Gorgeous and super interesting production.

I love this album! First time listener but I’m hooked. Driving music, excellent vocals, smooth delivery. Definitely adding to my home collection.

5/5

I like it, the sound seems to be just right up my alley. Jangle-pop ish, for sure indie sounding. This is what I love about the 90s, a sound like this seems familiar to the era. Love this album

A delightful album that I've been listening to for decades

This album is quite relaxing, and sweet.

Still a top album and it's bonkers that it was created as the final project for their course at college

About 30 seconds in I was very dubious and this one but holy crap what an album. Stunned me how much I enjoyed it

Had not listened to this in years. I don’t listen to B&S much anymore and this is not the first—or even second—album of theirs that I think to put on. But unsurprisingly this was great and I really enjoyed revisiting it multiple times today. Just great songs and great music.

Loved it.

I really liked this. So very pleasant and whimsical sounding. At times I get Cranberries vibes, other times feel like Natalie Merchant in the 80's, and then straight-up hotel lounge music! This album is why I've trodded through 515, mostly weird 70's folk music, to discover something new that I actually like.

Definitely a different sound. But a few songs in I was really starting to dig it. Gonna have to put more of them in my rotation for sure

I remember seeing them in 1996, at Maxwell's in Hoboken, if I recall, to a half filled room, and then only 2-3 months later to a packed hall down in the Bowrey as they exploded overnight. An amazing album from start to finish.

same vein as the shins, wilco, etc

NINETEEN-NINETIES SAD BOY CLASSIC 10/10 album art, too.

Gen Z Simon and Garfunkel.

Love this album as much as I did when I first heard it.

Absolutely stunning. Wonderfully witty lyrics. Have fleetingly listened to some Belle and Sebastian before but they were big before my time. This is fabulous!

Juno.

One of the definitive bands of 90s indie, this is the opening of a near perfect run of three albums in a row for B&S. The seeds of this are sown by the bands on the C86 compilation, but this is the cream of that crop of quiet British indie pop, making them the heirs to the Smiths. The melodic phrasing in the vocals is full of surprises, like a familiar nursey rhyme that goes off in unexpected directions. The horns bring such a bright energy and harmonic complement, the jangly clean/acoustic sound and simple but lively rhythm playing gives it an infectious joy. I'm sucker for this combination of bright poppy upbeat music paired with wry melancholy lyrics, for the disco flourishes, the tremelo guitar, the sing-along choruses and intimately observed and self-depreciating verses. It's gorgeous autumnal music, bittersweet and wistful, relaxing and uplifting.

Счастливая сегодня, и музыка сразу вся нравится:)

B&S are indie darlings. Their best album by far is 'Boy with the Arab Strap' which doesn't get a flag on the 1001, which is a real shame. This is still a winner though, and I'm glad to see Tigermilk on the list. Debut albums can be rough, but there is a lot of polish in this. Songs are mostly simple but joyous. It's still a band working out how to make music together, the use of synths is pretty rudimentary, but the building blocks for a long career are here.

4.6 - This was a great album. I felt this was a lot more raw and lovely than some of their more popular stuff is

Real men love Belle & Sebastian A brilliant debut. I’m slightly partial to If You’re Feeling Sinister, but it’s a brilliant album. I was only a kid when it came out, but I’d love to talk to someone who heard this before it became a cult classic: a thousand albums came out ten years later that sound like this, but when this came out it was all grunge and Hootie and the Blowfish (not that that’s a bad thing, I will not disparage Hootie and Cracked Rear View is a classic!) and this is far from that sound. It gets better with ever listen. There are more standout tracks on If You’re Feeling Sinister, but this is so good front to back and works for background music or close listening. The stories are great and cheeky, and the music is so good. Belle and Sebastian is what I thought the Smiths would be like, or what I wanted them to be like. B&S is much better I think.

Actually very good.It has that lingering sense of melancholy all throughout, and the writing is incredible for the most part. Very good album.

I love Belle and Sebastian. Even though it's not my favourite B & S album, it's still a classic. They have a way of taking a bright pop sounding song and giving it a dark lyrical twist. Liked songs added: - The State I Am In - She's Losing It - We Rule The School - My Wandering Days Are Over - I Don't Love Anyone

I love this band. I like this album, but I feel they have better. Have all their stuff--smile!

just love it

Never heard of them.

This album grabbed my attention at the first song and held it the whole time. Immaculate melodies, great lyrics, and varied production. I can't believe I hadn't listened to Belle & Sebastian before this generator. Highlights: The State I Am In, Expectations, She's Losing It, Electronic Renaissance, We Rule the School, My Wander Days Are Over, I Don't Love Anyone

It is very very nice album! I never heard it before.

Absolute classic, used to listen to it in my bedroom on bell road. Love it will always love it, makes me cry

Simple Sweet perfection

2024-03-27...

Brilliant. Love every minute of this. Indie is my favourite genre so I'm sad I hadn't started listening to them sooner. Electronic Renaissance is incredible and a new favourite song of mine.

One of my favourites, understated and sincere.

I like it, smooth music.

Это не брит-поп! Кто скажет, что это брит-поп - получит по лицу! Это очень наивные поп-песни в духе Ника Дрейка, которому просто завезли побольше инструментов. Тексты смешные, абсурдные, про себя и жизнь вокруг. Меланхоличные. Эта музыка сделана просто чтобы наслаждаться, и ни для чего больше. Она поразительно быстро влюбляет в себя...

Loved this for a clear winter day

Having only been vaguely aware of a few B&S singles before this was an absolute treat. Clever lyrics that are at times super witty and at others, deal with some challenging themes. The melodies are nice and this also feels like a 'dense' album with plenty packed in. There's also some subtle variety in the musicianship with a bit of experimentation as well as brass and strings dotted around in places, without being there just for the sake of it. Loved it and immediately listened for a second time as soon as it finished.

This has been one of my favourite albums of all time for about 20 years now. Love it so much.

Its front loaded. To start with it feels like it will be the easiest 5 you ever gave. But it tapers off. It’s still a 5 though!

Nice soft music. Thanks for sharing.

I never heard of this band, so this was a big surprise to me, because i really enjoyed the whole Album. Didn't dislike one song on this one. Definitely listening to it again.

B&S first 3 albums are all 5⭐️. Great indie pop with interesting songwriting that was just a taste of the brilliance to come with If You’re Feeling Sinister.

I just like this band. This (like most of their records) is nice to put on and chill to.

Tigermilk for a debut record is remarkable. Recorded with a group of near-strangers, for a music-business class. It wasn’t meant to be heard, just a curiosity for the band. Stuart Murdoch, the band leader had a deep knowledge of indie pop. When you hear the record you can hear notes of these influences throughout. It’s a lush, gorgeous record which fully deserves to be in this list.

One of my all-time favorites

wow what a beautiful record. such a warm and comforting listen. classic sad lyric/happy music dichotomy. love love love She’s Losing It. the album has a cohesive feel and there’s not a song that i didn’t like. such a soothing voice and the arrangements are driving yet side soft and pretty. fantastic song writing overall.

Love B&S, specially their first albums, if 1st song on 1st album is as good as the State I'm In, what's more to want? 5 stars

My first five star new discovery - obviously well aware of Belle and Sebastian, but I had them down as something twee and poppish. What I got instead was an incredibly rich album full of wit and catchy hooks. Blinder