Tigermilk

#179/1001. I think this is a beautiful example of a young fresh Independent band showcasing all of their ideas, which for them were fresh and new. This is BS in a way that I’ve never had it before. It did sound like a demo of a band which just came out of the crypt. Fresher than the later ones I’ve heard. OK this was a drunk review, I have to admit. perhaps I was wrong, perhaps I was right, perhaps I was somewhere in the middle.

These guys are very good at what they do, though it's not really my thing. The jangly upbeat music contrasts with the grim lyrics about everyday life and its troubles. I enjoyed the listen, and even added one track to my playlists (Expectations). I preferred the TV show.

great album from a versatile band

Just some good old boppy, enjoyable indie pop rock

Very chill indy music done well. Not as strong as the other two albums I have heard from this band.

The songs just sorta blend into each other in an okay way. Saved a song: N RYM: N

I like how much ground this record covers; you get unexpected doses of sound. The production feels tight and thoughtful, focusing on the guitar and violin textures. Vocally it leans toward breathy and overly delicate, singing everything as a lullaby. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions The State I Am In Expectations She’s Losing It

This one developed unexpectedly from the unassuming start. Another band that toes the line between the morose and the joyful. Didn’t necessarily gel with it but feel I might get there with a repeat listen. Full fat musical expression but a difficult one to digest.

This is a pleasant sounding indie album that stands out amongst it's contemporaries for being more intimate and considered than I'd expect from the mid nineties. I don't think the album would turn many heads if it was released ten to fifteen years after it was but in context it is admirably original. It's a little sickly sweet and some lyrics are a tad too pretentious for my tastes but its a nice, if not ground-breaking, album nonetheless.

Enjoyed it. No Arab strap though

The music was happy with vignette stories. However on the first listen it didn't grab my attention. I expect it could on a different day though.

Better than their second album in my opinion

I like Belle & Sebastian in this preppy, peppy, low key energetic mode. They have great songwriting chops and even on this debut have a unique, instantly recognisable sound which is theirs alone and still intact today. My favourite of their records, Dear Catastrophe Waitress, amps up the silliness and theatricality in a way that I always crave elsewhere across their discography. I could always handle them being slightly more unhinged!

should’ve paid a bit closer attention but liked it

I’m not totally studied on the history of alt pop but this feels ahead of its time. Fun to listen to but almost nothing jumped out at me. 3.5

Plutôt sympa mais rien choquant

La cover de salopard Un peu trop mou à mon goût mais bon mood

This is outstanding. But not their best.

love B&S - not my favorite of their albums though

Simon and Garfunkel for Fedora wearing Brits

This was good. Chill and solid work.

the state i am in- 5 expectations- 5 shes losing it- 5 youre just a baby- 5 electronic renaissance- 5 i could be dreaming- 5 we rule the school- 5 my wandering days are over-5 i dont love anyone- 5 mary jo- 5 ok

Incredibly mid. Not unpleasant to the ear, but just very mediocre. 2.5/5

this had some good indie songs, had a very familiar sound which i liked, good band, i got another album of theirs today (i’m in album debt)

This is at least a bit interesting. Always band I read about but hadn’t heard. Or maybe I had heard them. 2.5 because I’m wavering.

Pretty chill, falls off towards the end though.

Wonderful band, wonderful album. The songs are beautifully crafted, gentle vocal melodies and easy acoustic guitars wrapped in layers of different arrangements. Each track feels warm and tender, like being pulled into a big, lovely hug.

Abundantly adequate.

3.5

It's kinda enjoyable. The vocals are just so wimpy, though...

From limited pop culture references and context clues (ok, they were mentioned on an episode of How I Met Your Mother along with a clip of "We Rule The School"), I expected B&S to be a variation of quiet acoustic folk music. Upon listening to this, I'm pleasantly surprised to discover there's more to the story. It's not even just a duo of someone named Belle and someone named Sebastian! All of these songs were written by lead singer, Stuart Murdoch, and originally performed solo but they've been developed further to utilize a full band (including strings, brass, and woodwinds!). The album is much more indie rock than it is folk, and it's hard to imagine what the solo versions would have originally sounded like. I came in expecting Simon & Garfunkel, but got something more akin to a Paul Simon solo album. Without a specific nostalgic reason to love this album, I don't. It's fine, but it doesn't wow me and I'm not at risk of making this my whole personality. I understand there are more B&S albums on the list, so we'll see if my opinion changes after those. "Electronic Resistance" - feels like the biggest experiment on the album. It's a nice little New Wave bop nestled into the middle of the album and if I have to choose a favorite song, this would be it. "I Could Be Dreaming" - I felt a little crazy when the female spoken word part started fading in. It's like listening to a song with a police siren when you're in the car - except you're not looking for cops, you're looking for a schizophrenia diagnosis. "We Rule The School" - the song that formed my whole opinion of this band. It's pretty non-representative of the album/band, so I'm a little disappointed that HIMYM chose this song.

Best Song: I Don't Love You Anymore I never heard of this band before and it was ok. The music is up my alley but I found it rather uninspired and dull. 3/5.

Solid 3 star. Funny album cover ngl

it was always surprising to me to hear B&S described as a cult classic because it was ubiquitous for the indie obsessed crowds i found myself in during the late 90s and early 00s. it is not at all surprising that this is the launch of that cult. it's really good the entire time and perfects chamber pop without feeling inauthentic

3.5

This started out pretty lovely but it never rise above that.

PRETTY BORING BUT *NOTICES BOOBIE* HUMINA HUMINA AWOOOOOOOGAAA NOM NOM NOM MUMMY MUMMY!!!! *ahem*....

She milk my tiger till I *EXTREMELY LOUD BUZZER* She belle on my seba*EXTREMELY LOUD BUZZER* She belle on my tiger till I mi*EXTREMELY LOUD BUZZER* Nothing album that I thought i reviewed, found out weeks later I hadn’t, and found to be merely passable on relisten. Probably more damning that I didn’t remember a single track from this.

Are you feeling sinister is a Masterpiece. So the opening track left a lot to be desired. But then the second track came on. Its complex and catchy albeit bordering on overproduction. This didnt last for long as I found the rest of the album pretty mediocre. This album exemplifies the taste and bias of the author for overproduced. But talk about an album which requires multiple listens. On subsequent run through I found myself adoring the opening track + some others. I listened to the lyrics a bit closer and found them to be quite moving. The second track really doesnt need the trumpets though. It genuinely detracts from an otherwise great song. 7/10

Very pleasant but know amazing songs, and is maybe a little bland.

I can do twee if it's interesting but too much of this is a bit too slow.

I used to be such an Indie girl but it just doesn’t have the same impact on me anymore.

whatever

Charming. The songs are well-crafted and the musicianship is good.

Gear: ZiiGaat x Hangout.Audio: Odyssey 2 Artwork: 🐯🍼🍉 Production: : 🔊📀⬇️ Music: 🥸💧🛌 Rating: 🚼🚼(🚼()/5

Not a bad album but I like their later work much better.

Not a huge fan…

Another Belle and Sebastian record? Really? I just heard one from the list. There are thousands of great bands out there yet Belle and Sebastian get multiple albums on this list?! This record was fine… maybe better than fine. Good. Kinda catchy in places and mostly pleasant (despite some dark lyrics). And maybe if I spent more time with it, it would grow on me more. But it just wasn’t anything special to warrant more than a 3.

04/09/2025 I don't know how i feel about this, nothing piques my interest. Spotify listeners: 1.2 million

Ok

i liked it thiiis much

There was nothing in this album that made it for me, but it wasn't bad.

Fav song: electric renaissance I don’t love the singer’s voice tbh. The instrumentation itself is good but not insanely good. Like a cross between Wilco, panchiko, and built to spill if they were all less good. I pinkie swear these reviews will be more detailed later..

Feels like a burned cd you’d find in your parents stuff, listen to once and think wait, that's actually pretty good and then never listen to it ever again. Stylistically like a cross between 60s British psych rock, jangle pop, and folk rock. Totally listenable, but other bands do aspects of their sound way better. Just kinda boring Standout tracks: The State I Am In, I Don’t Love Anyone, Electronic Renissance (only because it's pretty bad) 1.5/5 deserves to be on this list

J'aime ça à moitié. Un 3 bien assis.

I prefer their second and third albums, If You're Feeling Sinister, and The Boy with the Arab Strab, but I can hear their humble beginnings of what later would define their sound. Stuart's literate, melancholy songwriting and the band's gentle indie pop sensibilities are all there, just not as fully formed or well-produced yet. Songs as "Electronic Renaissance" are not to be memorised, but there are definitely some jewels on this album, like the openings track "The State I'm in " and "She's Losing It" and "I Could Be Dreaming". Unfortunately, the production doesn't sound very clear, it's quiet muddy, and it effects the songs. 3/5

It’s strange - this debut feels more alive to me than If You’re Feeling Sinister, even though that one gets all the critical praise. If Tigermilk had been my introduction to Belle & Sebastian, I might have been more forgiving toward their later work. There’s a rawness here that hints at something special, but for me, their sound still leans too far into the bland and understated. I can appreciate what they’re going for, but it never quite clicks.

Chillaxed to a fault, but a nice album with occasional glimpses of greatness. Keen to revisit at a later date.

This blended into fairly pleasant background music for me

Not as good as cow milk but probably better than oat milk.

I thought I'd like this more as I usually like Belle & Sebastian but it was just alright.

37/1089 it’s a nice chill vibe that i find very easy to listen to, it’s very reminiscent of 60s folky music and that’s the era i’d probably have guessed it to be from if i didn’t know Electronic Renaissance and I Could Be Dreaming are the clear standouts to me, they are the two that feel like they most elevate the style to a new level 3 stars or 71/100

Very cozy and relaxing

Me encanta Belle & Sebastian y aunque este es uno de sus álbumes más icónicos, prefiero otros como the life pursuit. Los he visto un par de veces en directo y me parecen un grupo que transmite muy buen rollo

Transports me back to my youth.

You can feel the craftmanship, how they carved their songs. But the result is unfortunately inoffensive and bland.

Not bad, good jams. I wouldn't mind hearing the album again, but I'm not rushing to remember to pull it up specifically, which makes it a 3 instead of a 4 for me.

Singer songwriter dude

Nice little pop album. Not hyper processed. Songs all are good. Some decent variety here, very good variety for an album that's just over 40 minutes long.

Now I'm a man who likes a random trumpet in his songs, and I'd hate to risk that. But this was ok. Perfectly fine. It kept making me feel like this was an attempt to be Simon and Garfunkel, but just a bit more bold. Like music your grandpa would put on in an attempt to seem cool, and before he put it on he'd talk about how these guys really rock. You'd humor him, but he was cool for trying and caring, not because of this band.

It's very easy listening. It sounds the exact same as Donovan. Vocals almost the same. I prefer Donovan. There better be Donovan albums on this list

6/10 - nice easy listening, classic belle & sebastian vocals and sounds

This was a background music album - not distracting and not objectionable. But also not memorable- I can’t recall a single song from it a day later. At best a 3 star.

Decent listen

It's not a bad album by any means but it doesn't do anything new or exciting

🎵 Day 27 / Belle & Sebastian – Tigermilk (1996) 🗯 A cult favourite, but this one didn’t hit me where it counts. I know it’s a lauded debut, but for me Tigermilk felt like little more than sonic wallpaper. Pleasant, nice, well-written, inoffensive — all the things Belle & Sebastian do well — but here, nothing really stands out to my ears. I like Belle & Sebastian a lot (I’ve got a few of their albums on vinyl), but this one pales next to what they’d go on to do later. It’s the shy first step — delicate and diary-like — but missing the sparkle, wit or standout songwriting that would come to define them. Respect it? Yes. Return to it? I’m not rushing to. Verdict: Good, not essential For fans of: The Smiths, Camera Obscura, art school crushes and soft-spoken sadness on a Sunday

this seems like a good band if they had different singers. There's something good here but the vocals always toss me. Kind of gives me a Jack johnson or Donovan Frankenreiter vibe but a decade and some early.

Tough album to review. On one hand I loved it musically. On the other hand I did not enjoy it lyrically or vocally. So I guess it’s a 3? Fine

This wouldn't feel out of place releasing in 2010. The album peaks at Expectations and then kinda coasts. A worthwhile listen, a 3.

banal

It’s ok. Bit confused by this, having never heard them before. Seemed quite pleasant but then noticed felt nothing memorable or outstanding. 90s indie rock with heavy folky vibe. Not sure what differentiates this from whole host of others though, except the british-centric lyrics. Im English and I think there's an over representation on this list, and as for Scotland a country of around 5 million, they have a lot of acts on here that are not exactly innovators, I have had 2 just this week. 3 Star its just ok, just after a few more listens that ok is quite enjoyable but still don’t know it should be on the list 3.5 stars

Some of this was decent, but not anything really worth returning to. I don't really think I'd consider this pop music, but it is probably better that way. 3/5

Kinda fun. Listened through. Not likely to go back you idiot.

Folky, dreamy 90s pop rock. Reminds me of the soundtrack to a quirky indie film. I am not sure of the timeline of this genre of music however I can see this album being the inspiration for a lot of the same style of music that became very popular in the mid to late 2000s and early 2010s. The album itself is so inoffensive you could play this anywhere for anyone. That does hurt it's memorability though as it doesn't provide definitive aspects to latch on to.

"The State I'm In" is a great track and was rightfully ranked by pitchfork on their "best of the 90s" list. I enjoyed "Expectations" even more. Off to a great start! If You're Feeling Sinister seems to be the better album by this group, however.

Pretty alright

2.5 giving it a 3 since you gave it a 2, really forgetable idk what they were doing with this album, i think one good song else was shit

Not really my thing but I enjoyed some of it. Even saved a song.

kolejna pozycja od ulubionej popowej grupy szkocikow, tym razem ich debiutancki krazek tigermilk, dobre lore za tytulem, bo po kawalku ktory mial byc na albumiku, a jednak nie dojechal do koncowego traklista, no i szykowna okladka z tym co tygryski lubia najbardziej, ta pani jeszcze na jakims epku miala swoj udzial, plyta z 96, 10 trakow na 40 minutach, na tym krazku tylko wokal od pana murdocha, pani isobel tylko brzdaka na wiolonczelii, odczucia podobne jak do tych z if you are feeling sinister, ale z tym ale, ze nie ma tutaj tego wokalu zenskiego ktory fajnie zmienial tempo genialnego storytelingu jaki jest na obu albumach, tutaj troche bardziej randomowo bez konceptu, ale jak na pierwszy projekt nagrany w kilka dni, to nadal historie sa wciagajace jakby ktos opowiadal je obok ciebie, a nie nagrywal na popowy albumik, fajnie bylo sobie przypomniec o tym bandzie i przy okazji tigerowegomilka sprawdzic jeszcze kilka innych pozycji z ich dyskografii, bo maja ja naprawde bogata, na plejke dodaje openingowy the state im in, expectations oraz my wondering days are over i i dont love anyone, randomowe traki na randomowym albumik z randomowej listy, a tak daja do samorefleksji, nie daje takiej ocenki jak poprzedniej plycie, bo jednak poziom instrumentalny na sinisterze byl zdecydowanie wyzszy, ale i tak dobry albumik debiutowy

Typical hipster shit, not bad. 6/10

Mediocre it just had nothing that gripped me

Mellow vibes

I'd been meaning to give this album a listen many years ago, but never did. It's very mellow and fluffy, nothing offensive, but equally nothing really excited me.

I generally love the indie/folk-ish stuff, but I just find his voice so boring. 3/5

Enjoyed large parts of this but cant see myself ever returning

🥛

me & sebastian

Not a bad Indie Pop album. I have never listened to it before. It didn't really draw me in, but I will listen to this one again.

Their debut album. Indie Pop. This is twee. Almost offensive by how inoffensive this album is. It's nice easy listening if you're having a quiet Sunday. Folky, Pop, Indie with a cardigan on. An average album, some nice harmonies. A little toe tap here and there. Electronic Renaissance is a decent track. I Don't Love Anyone is also pretty good.

nice.

Almost a 2 for me. Easy album to space out on for me, though that's not saying a lot..

Pleasant and dreamy pop rock songs. It's fine, it just kinda washed over me and that was that. I gave it a second listen and again nothing really struck me or moved me. Just not for me. 3 stars

It’s a good for a debut and really it just does what a debut should: set up for an even better follow-up.

Pretty standard indie rock it’s solid

I really enjoyed the start of this album it was absolutely lovely. The State I am in and She's Losing it were both fun. On "You're Just A Baby" they went full like early beach boys knockoff with the creepiness included and then after that it fell off a little but there were still some good songs. Overall cool album

I'm surprised this album made it in over the others. It felt like they were still finding their feat with this and the last track was a nod towards what was to come.

Good, not great. Catchier than I was expecting.

klang ziemlich weichgespült

Nette Indie-Musik. 3 Sterne im positiven Sinn. Electric Renaissance ist für mich herausgestochen

generic boring indie where pretty much nothing happens and every song is the same. Electronic Renaissance is fun though

Das Debütalbum der schottischen Band Belle and Sebastian entstand im März 1996 im Ca Va Studio in Glasgow. Die Gruppe, gegründet von Stuart Murdoch und Stuart David, nahm die zehn Songs innerhalb weniger Tage auf – mit Unterstützung ihrer Landsleute Stevie Jackson (Gitarre), Chris Geddes (Keyboards), Richard Colburn (Schlagzeug), Isobel Campbell (Cello), Mick Cooke (Trompete) und Joe Togher (Violine). Der musikalische Stil bewegt sich im Bereich Indie‑Pop mit deutlich kammerpop‑ähnlichen Arrangements. Die schottische Herkunft der Musiker prägt den Klang durch eine zurückhaltende, melancholische Grundstimmung kombiniert mit verspielten Instrumentierungen wie Cello, Geige und Trompete. Zu den bekanntesten und stilprägenden Songs zählen „The State I Am In“, das mit erzählerischer Dichte und sanftem Aufbau überzeugt, „Expectations“ mit seinem leicht beschwingten Gitarrenriff, „We Rule The School“ sowie das minimalistisch-elektronische „Electronic Renaissance“ – letzteres als einzige Ausnahme, ursprünglich als Demo entstanden. Die Produktion fällt bewusst sparsam und intim aus. Die Aufnahmen sind lebendig, ohne Überproduktion, und lassen den erzählerischen Gesang Murdochs sowie die filigranen Instrumentaldetails klar zur Geltung kommen. Die Texte handeln oft von Jugend, Unsicherheit und Identität und vermitteln durch Murdochs zurückhaltende Stimme persönliche Einblicke. Insgesamt wirkt Tigermilk durch seine nüchterne Produktion, die schottische Indie-Wurzeln und die Kombination aus erzählerischer Tiefe und kammerpop-Elementen ausgewogen und ein präziser Auftakt für Belle and Sebastian. Eine überzeugende Debütleistung, die mit ihrem zurückhaltenden Charme und musikalischem Feingefühl klar den Weg für das künstlerische Profil der Band weist.

Good.

Belle & Sebastian; this is how I got to Isabelle Campbell without really listening to them. At the time they were the darlings of the Indie music scene. 1. "The State I Am In" 4:57 - excellent opening. Opens slow, then into a mid temp acoustic strum. Nice organ and dynamics. 4* 2. "Expectations" 3:34 - Double bass. Oooh brass! Nice. Mid temp strumming again. 3* 3. "She's Losing It" - 2:22 - Cute. Nice Nashville guitar flourishes. Love the brass, more prominent than "Expectations". 4* 4. "You're Just a Baby" - 3:40 - A whiff of Velvet Underground. Organ is nice. Good rolling guitar line. Vocals aren't grabbing me. This is a nice, pleasant listen so far. 3* 5. "Electronic Renaissance" 4:50 - Odd electronic intro, out of keeping with the album so far. Oh , some Accordion! Trying to be edgy towards the end. 3* 6. "I Could Be Dreaming" 5:56 - Atlantic "Sam and Dave" styled intro but then the muted, droning, vocals. The vocals really needed to go somewhere and they didn't. This is a little one paced now. Lacks dynamics. Is it the mix? Because the guitar at the end is rocking. Oh here come the dynamics, lift off? Not really. All nice and pleasant. 3* 7. "We Rule the School" 3:27 - Excellent Piano intro. Suites the vocals. Nice melody. Ahh there's Isabelle Campbell. Best track so far. I really like this. Oh that Flute, beautiful. Echoes of CSN and "Our House". Best rack so far. 5*. 8. "My Wandering Days Are Over" 5:25 - Nice harmonies. Strumming is back but so is a beautiful brass melody. 3* 9. "I Don't Love Anyone" 3:56 - Quirky. A bit more up tempo. Nice vocal hook. 3* 10. "Mary Jo" 3:30 - Nice flute intro, then into a late 60s influenced strum. Nice vocal melody. 3* In isolation, each song is pleasant enough. The vocals lack dynamics and range. This has all the elements that I should like but doesn't quite get me to where I won't to go. It peaks my interest but then doesn't quite fulfil. I can understand why the had/have the following they do. Would I listen again? - Perhaps Would I buy the album - No!

I like the first few songs but it gets old quickly for me. Favorites are Expectations and She's Losing It

There’s nothing particularly great or memorable about Tigermilk. It’s pleasant enough as background music, with gentle melodies, but it doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression. It falls squarely into that very specific “generic indie” category: nothing offensive, but nothing standout either. If you’re already a Belle & Sebastian fan, there’s probably charm to be found, but otherwise, it mostly drifts by without much to grab onto.

This joint surprised me - want to sit with this one again soon

Decent strong 7 close to 8/10

When twee becomes serious, this is what ya get. Nice music but not something I really will revisit. Give me The Clientele, this is pretty boring.

Enjoyed this album thought it was gonna be a generic indie album but surprised me with some tight production on a few songs

Despite comparisons with the Smiths, this didn’t grab me. Meh. Will give it a generous three stars and will listen again sometime.

Inoffensive, dreamy, easy-listening Indie pop.

I had a friend who raved on and on about how wonderful and awe-inspiring this band was. I don’t understand. They’re just ok.

This is an absolutely lovely album but borderline boring. Similar sound to Sufjan Stevens.

I am a fan of Belle & Sebastian. Always enjoyed the laid back attitude, and catchy indie pop. Tigermilk is only the beginning though and far from later peaks. In this connection I am once again confused about what it is I am supposed to hear before I die. 2-3 later B&S albums could easily be on that list. This one… ok, but not fantastic

Not my favourite Belle & Sebastian, but a lovely collection of little ditties that they seem to do best. Nice to hear their earlier stuff before they got a little too twee. I once saw Belle & Sebastian at a festival where it was drizzling with rain and I was drinking a cup of tea, and I can’t think of a more perfect environment to have seen them in.

I liked the musical arrangements, and the vocals at times, but at times I felt he was reaching a bit to hit the notes, or just flat out missing. As for the lyrical content? Definitely the shoe-gaze emo content I expected. I'd listen to this album again.

Forgettable 2.5/5

I really tried to get into this album - I liked quite a few Belle and Sebastian albums in the past - but no matter how many times I listen to this nothing stuck. Sounds pretty but forgettable.

I’m kinda torn. I love Belle and Sebastian. You should listen to them before you die. I love all of their works, but I think they really developed and matured throughout their career, and would probably recommend a mid career album like Dear Catastrophe Waitress or The Life Pursuit over their debut. It’s a cool album, and a lot of the trademarks of the band are there - twee vocals, whimsical lyrics about adolescence, hints at their later forays into synth and electropop and even foreshadowing If You’re Feeling Sinister with Expectations. It’s all a bit raw, especially when compared with where I know they’ll go.

mostly unremarkable

Not terrible but not my thing. 3/5

Composition was really good on this album. very dynamic and kept me engaged the whole time. I sometimes get a little bored of this tone of vocals, but it isn't a huge thing for me. I'm giving this a very strong 3. I'll probably be returning to some of the songs on this album.

It's good, a couple touches too twee for my tastes though, and I just couldn't stand the lead singers voice after a while.

Well, these are just pleasant little twee-ish pop songs, aren't they?

Feel like this would be good to leisurely kayak to.

3/5

I wasn't ready to listen that album, it seems at first that the man singing was whispering instead of clearly expressing himself but the music became louder over each song. It's not unpleasant to listen but I felt no energy from it. I can understand people who will listen to it but I honnestly am not a big lover of this type of music.

Very pleasant - washes over me

3 pretty decent indie album

This was a fun album. However, flow of the album was a bit disjointed with electronic renaissance in the middle and I was getting a little bored towards the end. Favourite: She’s losing it Least: Electronic renaissance Rating: 3.5

Good, but does start to drag near the end.

Belle & Sebastian has just never done that much for me. I did like I Don't Love Anyone.

This album feels like a collection of experiments at trying to find their sound. The songs are very good, the overall product isn't necessarily cohesive. It feels a little more interesting than If You're Feeling Sinister, though I did really like the trumpet on that one. Again, sets the blueprint for the kind of indie that I grew up on.

A decent album.

Pretty incredible that this was a truly independent recording. This story-telling singer songwriter style of lyric isn't my favorite. I definitely liked the brit-pop leaning songs more than the folk-pop leaning songs. 3 days to record all of this with a relatively new band roster. The finished product is a testament to incredible artistic vision.

3,75?

This is my second album by Belle and Sebastian (my first being If You're Feeling Sinister). It was literally my second album ever reviewed on this generator. Nothing to get too excited about, this is generic indie pop. The impressive thing is that they are from Scotland, and for once I didn't absolutely hate it. This album cover is completely fucked though. Favorite songs: You're Just a Baby, She's Losing It, The State I Am In, We Rule the School Least favorite songs: Electronic Renaissance 3/5

Nice sounding album but not as relistenable as if you're feeling sinister

This album is quite relaxing, and sweet.

Kind of melancholy. It was good, but it's not for me.

Pretty solid, though I'm putting it in the "Nevermind" category of album covers I probably don't want on my phone while at work.

would def come back to this

Hey, Not bad. Some good stuff even though I have never heard of them.

Alright easy listening music, reminded me of a milder version of the shins with less melodic singing. Overall I didn’t mind it, but it wasn’t exciting. Favorite songs were: Expectations I Could Be Dreaming - more energetic than most of the songs 6/10

100% an album with music on it. Album cover: (C-) A little on the nose.

This album was nice. For some reason I thought Belle & Sebastian were a 2000s indie pop couple (Matt & Kim?) and not a 90s band from Glasgow. I enjoyed this album. It was pleasant background music but not much more than that. None of the songs stood out too much. I notice that none of the songs on this album were in their Spotify top 10, which is interesting. My favorite songs were "The State I Am In" and "Expectations". It's possible that its just because I was still paying attention in the beginning. 6/10

It was nice enough, not really listened to them before and wouldn't be against listening to more

Liked the storytelling

I used to kinda like B&S, and I expected to thoroughly hate this album after almost 30 years. I will say that it was cold and rainy outside, and this album felt so “right” for the day that it gained an extra star.

After listening to one song of the album, we can derive everything that comes after. It's nice but so predictable that it loses a one-star rate.

Pleasant enough I guess although also really weird. I liked the other one a little better I guess and am not prepared to argue we needed one on the list much less two. I didn't hate it, also didn't love it.

This was a pleasant listen. Nothing earth shattering instrumentally or vocally, but a decent listen. 3 stars seems fair.

Lol what an album cover. Anyways, not as bad as I thought it would be. Some easy songs to listen to. Im gonna go three because there’s not a lot to hate just nothing I enjoy.

Interesting

It was decent.

good

I really didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I had heard bits in passing before and thought, no thanks, that's not for me. By the third song I was coming around and at the end I went back and listened through again. Musically it's eclectic yet cohesive and at first seems to be lacking any punch, but the punch is kept for the lyrics. I'm not a huge fan of the singers lisping voice which really drags this down for me.

Look - I found this much more enjoyable than I though. I wouldn't recommend or listen to it again. But it was nice and glad I did listen to it. Can't place where / when you would play this album... not driving music, not party music, not working out or cleaning music... more sitting a field of wild weed flowers with the wind blowing having no responsibilities in life.. ever!

Considering this is one of the most hipster-coded albums I've ever heard in my life, it’s really not bad. Best song: I Could Be Dreaming

Liked it a bit more than I thought I would. Some interesting instrumentation, good harmonies.

It's okay. A happy, sing-songy album.

Trevligt men tycker låtarna låter för likt varandra, det var som att lyssna på en albumlång låt

A solid debut, but the follow-up is the classic. Borderline 3/4.

Great stuff

See previous Belle & Sebastian review.

I went into this expecting to hate it, but it wasn’t bad at all. Kind of soft-spoken, kind of quirky, but not in an annoying way. The vocals are delicate, the lyrics are smart, and the whole thing has a quiet charm that sneaks up on you if you’re not paying attention. It’s definitely not something I’d blast in the car, but for a chill afternoon or background noise while doing something else, it works. Favorite song: Expectations Least Favorite song: The State I Am In

It's pretty but not my thing.

Folk, Rock, 1996 -> 3

I had low expectations for this and it certainly surprised me, by the end I was actually enjoying it.

This was a pleasant surprise.

Worth of a listen

On par with the Beatles

not bad, but wouldn't listen to it by choice.

I loved electronic renaissance and Mary jo. but other than that, I wasn't super in love with this album. I don't like his voice but I do like the sound.

I don't love it hate it. There are some really fun things going on with the music, sometime complex but child like in the melodies. They do do well together and build some beautiful songs. The music is very contrasting to the deepness and darkness in the lyrics. It's very fitting knowing they were in college and sort of coming of age individually and as a band. I will say I appreciated tracks 5-10 better. I didn't dislike the first four, but I'm kind of over hearing a women's perspective on things from a man's perspective....mainsplaining is really and I'm kind of over hearing how they think we perceive things. Overall I would check them out again but not going to rush to do so.

This is enjoyable in a very non-threatening way. The songs are melodious and yet still quite unmemorable. There’s certainly a time and a place for this music. Rainy days, doing your taxes, driving through soybean fields, or maybe washing dishes. Highlights include “You’re Just A Baby”, “We Rule the School”, and “Mary Jo”.

I really liked the diversity in these songs and especially enjoyed the instrumentation. Lots of super pretty sounds from horns and violin and even some flute action. I don’t love the lead singer’s voice though and that kind of made the whole thing feel a little too fluffy and soft for me.

better than expected

Softer indie rock. Simpler sound but enjoyed the time.

3.5? I need to give this one more try.

Ok

A very and sweet album, but given the band released another, much better one later that same year that is also on this list, I don't think this is necessarily essential. Key tracks: The State Am I In

Nice background music for driving around on a Monday morning. Can't see myself really going back to it, but it was pleasant enough.

Podobało mi się. Śpiewane historie z ciekawą aranżacją muzyczną. Faktycznie czuć czasem inspiracje klasykami jak Nick Drake (nawet wokalnie, jak w "You're just a baby"). Bardzo dobrze imo sprawdziło się "przelamanie" w postaci "Electronic Renaissance". Imo po kilkukrotnym przesłuchaniu płyta zyskałaby dla mnie więcej, ale trzeba iść dalej :D It was fiiiiine. 3,4 / 5

Was alright. Good for the vibe it was going for. Kind of felt like background music but it may have been my day.

Big 1960s inspired vibes. Just doesn't do anything for me. It's fine but for this kind of sound I'd rather listen to Simon and Garfunkel.

Pleasant enough but puts me to sleep. The singer’s lisp kinda annoys me. Extra star for Isobel Campbell.

Pretty good stuff. It’s nice to listen to on a quiet morning while getting ready to do very little. Perhaps put on a checkered flannel shirt and grow a beard… drink a flat white

Some interesting tracks, some absolutely average and boring ones as well. All combined into a rather disappointing album by Belle & Sebastian. It's not my type of music, as I have realised the first time I listened to the band, at the very first week that I sterted using this website.

very cute

An easy listen from a pop group that would not usually hold my attention for the entirety of the album.

Not sure this is "must-hear", but I enjoyed it.

I like this band but I find this album to be a bit average. I am sure I will get one of their other albums at some point but just not overly impressed

3.4 2x enjoyed the music but none of the songs were standouts

Surely one of the albums of all time. Bit like the Young Rascals album but modernized. I liked the songs and vocals were quite nice to listen to, but I don't think I'll listen to it again.

Nice and easy listen 3/5

3.75

An album right out of the pages of 70’s folk rock, and it’s not bad. Not for me, but not unpleasing.

Nowt to sing home about but still pretty chill

I believe you have my stapler. I Iike to listen to the radio at a reasonable volume. I didn't receive my paycheck this week.

Alright, but not Grrrrrrrrreat!

Repetitive

Not my fave Belle and Sebastian

Lovely stuff, what you'd expect from a Bell & Sebastian release. Instantly catchy and heart-warming,

This album sounds like flannel. Very much reminds me of something like Vampire Weekend. The instrumental on I Don’t Love Anyone is very similar to Only Wanna Be With You by Hootie and The Blowfish. Favorites were The State I Am In, She’s Losing It, I Could Be Dreaming, and I Don’t Love Anyone.

怪叫一出我真是没绷住

Meh Was alright, but not for me really. Inoffensive coffee shop music 3 ⭐️

Ok

Had not listened to Belle & Sebastian in a while. They're always nice, nothing exceptional about this album in particular

Tigermilk is the 1996 debut album from Belle and Sebastian, originally released in 1996. I definitely enjoyed this one more than the other Belle and Sebastian album I got earlier in this list. The songwriting seemed a lot more inspired and personal on here. It wasn't cringe dramatic hipster rubbish. Don't get me wrong, this is still a very hipster album in my eyes, but it was pretty enjoyable. The production is great. I like that they stick to the folk rock sound but add in some interesting electronics here and there. A bit melodramatic at times, sure. But nothing overbearing. Probably their best record that I've heard.

This sounds like something...I can't place it though. If Wes Anderson decided to have a house band for his films, this would be who he would hire, maybe Zach Braff too. I bet this is The Shins' favorite band. I'm not sure this is something I'd listen to again, but it's ok. The Kooks' She Moves in Her Own Way owes a lot to You're Just a Baby. This project is warping what I think of as "good". This album is only good in the context of this project. The chatting over I Could Be Dreaming is distracting, reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel's Silent Night. The lead singer reminds me of Nico, and I bet these guys love The Velvet Underground. If Oasis was the mid-90s White Album Beatles, Belle & Sebastian was the mid-90s The Beatles Beatles. Maybe the mid-90s Donovan is a better comparison?

best

Part Nico, part Nick Drake. Has its moments. Is it just me or is the bouquet drooping?

An easy listen but not something that's going to stick with me. Good length, sounds good. Enjoyable but nothing crazy. Plain old Jane but in a good way 3so

Fund and enjoyable, but quite monotone.

I think I will always favour Boy With The Arab Strap (5*) but they had to go here first.

It sounds just like them. I always thought it was a duo because of the name, funny how it's just a qunitet of guys that reached crazy heights from a music business class

It was an ok listening experience, honestly just sort of washed over me, no songs in particular stood out. It was all a little trite but I understand it was 1996 and they were music students so it was unavoidable. I really don't understand why they didn't choose 1998's Boy with the Arab Strap, which has a lot more of their more famous songs and an overall more mature sound.

Twee gentle Scottish Donovan inspired inoffensive samey cardigan wearing filkie rock. Hard to dislike. Difficult to love.

no spoko nie mam czasu żeby słuchać tych albumów kur

Det er lidt stenet det her. Men ikke kedeligt. Jeg fik lyst til at høre et par numre igen sidst på dagen. Jeg er i tvivl om det er noget som jeg husker om 100 dage. 🤷 Hvis det skulle ske, så justere jeg gerne én karakter op. Der er vel også en form for points for album art. 😂👌

Et rigtig fint og interessant lydbillede. Stuart Murdocks vokal er beroligende og dragende. Et hyggeligt søndags album.

Nice for a slow fall day. Easy listen.

Many of the songs are well written and hummable. I particularly enjoyed Expectations, with a nice addition of trumpets. However, Electronic Renaissance is horrible, and I find myself nodding along to a song while at the same time being outraged from the toothlessness of it all. 5/10

Probably a bad idea to wear a watch in the shower.

Nice. Soft. Background. Not full of internet but pleasant to listen.

Quite twee, very gently lilting indie boy. Easy listening and cool album art. Expectations was def a standout

Akustisvetoista pop vähän rock. Vähän kyllä keskinkertaista, mutta ok kuunneltavaa silti. Parhaat: Electronic Renaissance, My Wandering Days Are Over

A band my mum loves and which I’ve only managed to see as a more boring smiths, which in it self is not really that interesting of a band. I however realise that that’s not a fair way to describe them and once the electronic part of the album begins that becomes clear. It’s not a perfect album by any stretch but it’s an amazing debut and they’ve clearly created their own style in it

No aptos para sábado de limpieza

A solid, but unspectacular, entry on this list. There's a lot of 90's/00's indie groups (whom I really like) that clearly took some inspiration from these guys, but I don't get quite as much from this one.

The voices are so monotonous that it is the right music for people who have trouble falling asleep.

Fun little 90s indie album

De har gjort så många bra låtar. Detta album har jag dock inte hört förut. Man hör att kvalitéer finns och det skulle ju bli bättre.

sai che c'è? temevo molto, e invece mi sono piaciuti. indie al punto giusto.

приятные, даже получше чем предыдущий их выпавший альбом. но надо вслушиваться

Kommer ihåg att belle & Sebastian var all the rage förr i tiden. Lyssnade aldrig då. Känns inte som man missade något anmärkningsvärt. Det är inte dåligt, men det lyfter inte heller. Känns som en "Bob Kasper"-skiva, lagom att sätta på i bakgrunden när man har folk över på middag.

Enkel och lätttillgänglig mellanmjölk. Det är inte dåligt, men utan energi och man har svårt att hänföras. Svag trea för lyssningen är ändå rätt behaglig.

Some nice songs but nothing really stands out

I don't know, something about this album didn't really grab me. On paper, this falls under the category of an album I should've enjoyed. I'm a big fan of quite a few 90s soft rock artists, and the songs I did enjoy were a pleasant listen. However, I just wasn't wowed by this album. It wasn't a slog to get through; it just disappeared into the background as I was working. They're not all winners! Notable Tracks: - The State I Am In - She's Losing It - I Could Be Dreaming 5/10

# 284 : They've done a pretty decent job. I think Its OK, I could listen to it and a couple of things stood out. It's fine background music and almost had me foot tapping, almost. The State I Am In.

Inoffensive, easy listening indie. Hard to fault but not something I'd put on myself. TL:DR it's a B&S album

This album gets better as it goes.

01) The State I Am In - 8,0 02) Expectations - 7,5 03) She's Losing It - 7,5 04) You're Just a Baby - 7,5 05) Electronic Renaissance - 7,0 06) I Could Be Dreaming - 7,0 07) We Rule the School - 7,0 08) My Wandering Days Are Over - 7,0 09) I Don't Love Anyone - 7,0 10) Mary Jo - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,25 (73/100) Current ranking: 149/247 Cheerful indie pop songs that sound cute at first, but over time that cuteness is lost and they become borderline irritating in their cheerfulness. It's not bad, but it's not something I'll remember after the next two or three albums...

Modern folk. Not bad

This is an interesting album in that it arrived smack dab in the middle of the 90s but sounds like a 70s folk/chamber pop album. On many of the 70s albums that have cropped up on this project, I've talked about how those very sounds informed the indie movement for the 90s and beyond, and this album is a direct example of that. In fact, this album does a good job at tackling a lot of 70s sounds and really almost just comes off as a 70s tribute album, which I'm not mad about. Not only is this album an example of indie music being inspired by 70s music, it's an incredibly early and successful example. Indie music didn't take off in full force until the early 2000s, and yet Belle and Sebastian are found in 1996 being early progenitors of the sound as an indie movement. Not the most jamming album, and it does lull in spots, but then again, so did a lot of 70s chamber pop. Ultimately, this album is a noteworthy one when looking at the history of music, though arguably not a must listen album in general.

Not bad, but also not good enough to revisit. In general, once you've heard three or four Belle & Sebastian songs, you know what to expect!

It's a decent listen.

At first I thought this was gonna be a folk rock snooze-fest, but the album really picked up when it switched to 90's Oasis-style alternative/Brit-rock. The vocals really hold this one back from being higher.

++: You're Just a Baby, I Could Be Dreaming, I Don't Love Anyone +: Expectations, She's Losing It, Electronic Renaissance, We Rule The School, Mary Jo +-: The State I Am In, My Wandering Days are Over 7,9/10

I love a Belle and Sebastian album! Let's see if this one holds up. It's not my favorite, but I listened to a lot of their music afterwards so that was nice.

Super low key British pop/rock. Not my favorite.

Best Song: I Don't Love Anyone. Really clever songwriting. I especially liked the uplifting crescendo of repeated "I don't love anyone" at the end of the song in a way that simultaneously feels tongue-in-cheek, earnest, honest, and sarcastic. Worst Song: Electronic Renaissance. The strength of this group for me is in their lyricism and melancholy presentation, and so converting that into an 80s style electronic song really undoes everything I like about them. Overall: A mildly disappointing album for me, given how pleasantly surprised I was with the previous Belle & Sebastian album I listened to on this list (the first I'd ever heard). For whatever reason, the lyricism didn't feel as incisive as in "If You're Feeling Sinister." Nevertheless, I still like their vibe.

Not a bad album, never heard of this group before. Will give them another spin…

I understand its popularity but I think there are other bands who more fully committed to either shoe gaze or electronica.

Have never been a huge B&S fan, but I don't mind it.

I'm gonna be real. I wasn't looking forward to this. This just seemed like another mediocre 90s UK inclusion that really didn't need to be on the list. However, I actually kinda liked this one. It's not amazing or anything and I wouldn't go as far as to say that I loved it, but I certainly liked it. The singing is pretty alright. It kind of feels like a Scottish version of Nick Drake, and I am very fond of the Nick Drake albums I've gotten so far. The sound is fairly pleasant and also a bit varied. The writing is pretty good. The album doesn't drag for too long. There is no reason for me to dislike this album. Is it the most deserving of being on this list? No. But is it a solid album? Yeah. I think it is. High 3/5.

Easy going but not a must listen to album for me

Nothing outstanding, but had a few songs I really enjoyed. I had heard of the band many times and wanted to enjoy this more than I did, so maybe I just set my hopes too high or had a different expectation.

Entirely pleasant.

They have better albums...

It's twee pop but very good twee pop. It's always interesting to hear an album that launched derivative schlock because there's usually so much more authenticity to it. Highlights were Expectations and We Rule the School.

I'd never intentionally listened to Belle & Sebastian before, and always thought/assumed their music was very wispy/folky. I was suprised to hear that, in fact, they use a full range of instruments. Pretty pleasant stuff. Nothing really stands out as being super memorable or catchy, but maybe more listens are required.

This wasn't bad, but it's not my cup of tea.

Fine folky album

I have the same feeling in my ears listening to Belle and Sebastian that I have in my mouth when I drink Mountain Dew. It’s okay at first, but too saccharine for more than just a sip or two. And the whole bottle leaves me feeling a little queasy and angry about how jittery I am.

Nicew 90's indie. Didn't jump up and grab me.

Muito bom, mas meio meh, quem ouviu isso nos anos 90 teve sorte

Un álbum de indie-rock interesante, pero que luego de unos cuantos minutos se vuelve tedioso y repetitivo. Si bien las composiciones musicales y las letras son destacables, la inflexión de la voz del vocalista es somnolienta y poco llamativa. No volvería a escuchar este LP. Sumamente olvidable, y no creo que merezca estar en esta lista.

Never heard this before. Only some of their later songs. This was pleasant enough but not as interesting, unfortunately. The cover kinda puts me off, too.

I've never heard of the band, or this album, or even the lone single from the album ("The State I Am In"), so that's always a nice surprise. And it's a fine album, with a much stronger/together band-sound than apparently they were when they recorded nearly all the album in three days. The album also has the great backstory of getting created as part of a music business course (and getting noticed by John Peel and Mark Radcliffe). I enjoyed listening to it, but as much as I always have a soft spot for Scottish bands, it wasn't particularly distinctive or engaging (for me).

ok.

Not my favorite

A very solid indie pop album. Nothing next level, but quite enjoyable start to finish

I didn't mind it but it was very same-same throughout. Perhaps their other album which is on this list I'll enjoy more, as I do often like these kinds of albums.

This wasn’t as good as their later stuff. I even listened to part of their latest from 2023 and it was better than this. Some nice stuff, a solid debut.

Every B&S album is a grower. This one didn’t hit me on first listen, but I might return to it.

It's alright I guess, I would give it a 3.5 if I could.

Chill and pretty beautiful album, still not completely sold. 3/5

It was fine.

pretty bland, a couple decent songs but overall the singing has little energy and becomes monotonous

idk what to make of this one

More Scotch music. According to Wikipedia, Stuart Murdoch ran a marathon in 2:57:08 in 1986, which is arguably more impressive than this album. I enjoy this album - it’s better than anything I ever produced while at uni - but think they have more interesting stuff in other albums. That marathon time though, eh.

As with all Belle & Sebastian, it's twee and inoffensive, and not much more can be said beyond that.

Definite grower this album, first few tracks didn’t initially grab me.

I can appreciate the craft and the skill but this is not particularly for me.

Aldrei verið mikill aðdáeandi B&S. Ósköp huggulegt krúttindípopp.

A jaunty and heartfelt album. It’s a pretty modern sound for 1996. Seems like they influenced a lot of people to come, Conor Oberst, iron and wine, etc. You can also tell they were contemporaries with Ben Folds Five and other. The Junk soundtrack revived some of this music for me, my main association. Good stuff!

Just meh, vocals sounded bored and they wanted this album to be background music

The State I Am In // Expectations // Electronic Renaissance // My Wandering Days Are Over // 3.5/5