Reviews (page 8 of 9)
I had no idea what to expect, but ended up really enjoying this one. It's a really nice, soothing pop album to have playing in the background. I can't quite give it 5 stars though.
Good debut album, but didn't stand out for me
The perfect amount of whimsical indie rock joy condensed to 10 tracks. Favourites: "The State I'm In", "Electronic Resonance", "We Rule The School"
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.
Moody 90's pop with cringeworthy singing. What could go wrong?!? 1/5
much better than I expected...could be a 5 with more listens.
I just think it’s mediocre. The one electronic song was a super weird, but enjoyable, change of pace compared to the rest of the album. The guitars were generally enjoyable to listen to, but it didn’t really feel as if there was cohesion between each of the parts. They seemed to be playing in the same style, but there just felt like there was something missing between every part that played music, including the voice. This album wasn’t terrible to listen to as it sounds quite nice, but it lacks a kick or punch that propels it to a higher level. Favorite track: Electronic Renaissance
If every indie album was this good, the world would be a very different place. That said, I think I prefer some of their later works to this one just because I think they got a bit more unique with age (specifically with "Your Cover's Blown", that song is a masterpiece). The lyrics are very warming and intimate which is a hallmark of a great indie album. The instrumentation is also very dense and varied which is something a lot of other contemporary indie songs (and popular songs at the time) lacked. If In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is a little too /mu/ for you, this is a perfect alternative. Highlights: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9.
The only song I liked was Electronic Renaissance
Ik ken iemand die Sebastiaan heet. Ik weet niet of hij ook zo'n beest met borstvoeding is. De muziek klinkt eigenlijk veel serieuzer dan ik zou verwachten. De melodietjes zijn vrolijk, soms doet het wat Mexicaans aan met de trompetjes en de Spaanse gitaartjes. Mijn favorieten zijn "She's Losing It" en "My Wandering Days Are Over". ****
Nada especial
A beautiful, melancholic album full of clever observations and melodies.
Kinda wimpy white guy indie music. Some good songs, not bad. British sounding.
Charming 90s indie stuff. Highlight: She's Losing It.
A lovely folky, twee debut. You can tell that this was very influential on so many 2000s indie bands. 4.5
Indie pop
I am so torn. On the one hand, this album is amazing. All that is put into the lyrics and the sound. It's beautiful and impactful. On the other hand, the vocals are so understated that it losses me at times. I so want to be a bigger fan and in awe. The story of how the art is made matters and it makes the album all the richer here. The more I listen, the more I can dive into the epiphany of each song as a counterweight to the lack of connection to the vocals. This will go in to my rotation b/c I like it but I want to love it.
Indie pop agradable. Venga, un 4 por ti.
Electronic Renaissance, The State I Am in, entre otras. Uno de mis discos favoritos de Belle And Sebastian. Vinilo en cuanto lo encuentre.
love it so much
Decent indie pop but not really my favorite. Some catchy tunes and no real standouts.
Did not blow me away, but did not bore me either. Cannot now remember any of the tracks though.
Just not my type of album it didn’t flow right for me
shite
No.
I quite enjoyed this - seems to have sparked some pretty strong opinions both ways here, but it's a middle of the road 3 for me. Quite gentle, picks up the pace on a couple of the tracks. I know the name Belle & Sebastian, but couldn't name a song of theirs. It's perfectly pleasant, there are a couple of tracks that remind me of the Shins, quirky lyrics and some odd messages.
For whatever reason, I went into this album assuming I wouldn't like it. I was wrong and ended up really liking the chilled, almost indie, sound.
p778. 1996. 4 stars. So this is what the bastard love children of Donovan and Albert Lee sound like. Bittersweet songs, sharp lyrics and a sense of melancholy. All that is missing are some standout tunes. On the replay list.
Okay, didn’t blow me away, but was pleasant enough. I might get into it more with a few more listens.
I love Belle & Sebastian.
B&S er søte greier. Jeg hadde ikke hørt på dette albumet før. Kult cover. Søte sanger. man kan kanskje argumentere for at alt de lager er likt. Men siden dette er det første albumet, så da er det kanskje litt tidlig å spille ut det kortet. Vokalisten oser ikke tradisjonell maskulinitet - men jeg liker stilen. We rule the school var et høydepunkt. Minimalistisk start, og svulstig avslutning. Fin oppbygning. Nokså sårt. Jeg opplever at det nikkes høflig til Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D-major (jeg googlet meg frem her til komponisten). Jeg elsker slike sanger. Mary Jo var også fin. enkel og søt pop. Hadde dette bandet bestått av kosebamser og enhjørninger ville jeg ikke blitt overrasket. det er lyden av rosa og sukkerspinn.
Pleasant enough to listen to but easily forgettable
Easy to listen to but not exciting to listen to.
This is an easy going listen without anything too offensive. I just think it’s kind of forgettable.
This was a fun listen, I liked it, kind of like the shins or badly drawn boy.
I like Belle and Sebastian but this one is not my favorite. All the song work is there that I like, these sort of winding melodies that are very light and can be pretty dark, pretty funny. But this one doesn't pull me in the way that, say, Dear Catastrophe Waitress does.
I loved it a lot, I'm not sure if I liked it as much as "if you're feeling sinister" but as a debut album there's so much charm and talent on display. Got a little bit more tedious for me towards the end, but the first half was full of great songs that show the band that had something they wanted to prove to the world. 3.5/5
Some weird stuff (that's not a bad thing) and some wonderful writing. Mostly, it's like and indie movie soundtrack.
I quite liked this. Good back story to the band too.
It was good but not the best
Absolute Banger. Rarely any downtime. Only a a few skippable tracks
More audio wallpaper - washed right over me and nothing annoyed or offended me, but neither did anything grab by attention
listened to again warm and fuzzy indie jams
Solid debut, though the production I always feel with B and S is a little thin and twee, the songs are well-written.
Is nice, I like
Indie. Ni fu ni fa.
Too twee for me
Très unidimensionnel. Une pièce a attiré mon attention, le reste est trop "safe". Malgré les arrangements avec plusieurs instruments, ça sonne fade à mon oreille.
I am a big fan of Belle and Sebastian's next two albums "If You're Feeling Sinister" and "The Boy with the Arab Strap" but have never really dug into this, their debut album very much. What a miss...this album is outstanding. Most songs start slow and build momentum with additional instruments and vocals. Typically, a piano or acoustic guitar starts the song which finishes with violins, keywords, cellos, trumpets, Mariachi horns and probably more. A unique sound for the time and still is. Lead singer and song writer Stuart Murdoch also tends to tell a story with his subjects all over the place: great use of the instruments to try to match the story. What's great about this album and a surprise to me is the musical variety it starts out and continues with. "The State I Am In" starts acoustically and builds with backing vocals and additional instruments. I did not know this but a Pitchfork top 20 song for the decade. "Expectations" throws in Mariachi horns. "You're Just a Baby" and "My Wandering Days Are Over" sound like they're straight out of the 60's. "Electronic Renaissance" employs some weird keyboards; is this a Beach House song? Wilco was definitely listening to "I Could Be Dreaming" as it sounds like it should be on their "Summerteeth" album which came out three years later. This was fun.
There's lots to like with this throwback. I was getting '60s hippie vibes, and was getting hopeful. But his voice becomes repetitive. There are far too many albums that suffer from lack of variety. This is one of them. Can someone explain why I must listen to this album?
2/25/22
bomm
Nice for a snowy morning!
Despite being a huge B&S fan, I'd not heard many tracks from the debut. What a mistake. It's twee as fuck, but gloriously so. The jangly guitars, gorgeous brass, delightful woodwind. It's indie, and cute, and mischievous, and sincere. I'm biased but I love this shit.
twee and enjoyable.
Ok album, not bad, not good
Nice easy melodies. Interesting lyrics.
I hadn’t listened to much Belle & Sebastian before, but loved how the soft pop sounded on a cold and rainy day in Chicago.
I really love this album. It is like being Cleopatra and getting into a lovely warm bath of milk (Tigermilk).
gentle bedroom acoustic indie for poetry writers and people who made mixtapes
Always #available for some B&S
I know this is from the 90s, but this sound is so 2006-2008 for me it's wild. I've always loved Belle and also Sebastian equally. Their initials spell BS, but you know what this album isn't???
This is a classic indie pop album of a band still in formation. Although all tracks were composed by Stuart Murdoch almost as a solo effort, it really feels like it was conceived considering that a band would play it. And that's the evolution that made Belle & Sebastian this big number of the scottish indie scene. "The State I Am In" and "You're Just a Baby" are great songs.
Первый альбом шотландского бэнда в стиле барокко-поп 60-х
Better than I thought it would be.
Achingly knowing and yet, pretty dull.
I loved belle and sebastian in high school and college. I saw them live and stuff. Now as a relatively boring man approaching middle age, it doesnt speak to me in the same way
It was fine
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!
i cannot rate this fairly, since this and If You're Feeling Sinister are two of the most formative albums of my teenage years, so instead i will just praise stuart murdoch's ability to depict a very familiar kind of comfortable discontent.
Oikein söpöä ja herkkää, mut taustamusaa.
not as good as sinister
Nice 3, very calming
Some nice and soft tunes, Not bad for mus. biz. students, Got a good vibe going. 6/10
Back in the late nineties Belle and Sebastian made quite some impact with their first three albums. The album opens with "State I Am In" - perhaps their most definitive song: either like you this song and the type of lyrics and you will like the band ..or you don't and in the latter case there is not much need to check out the rest of their oeuvre. Some other highlights: I Could Be Dreaming and Electronic Renaissance. The album overall has a demo feel and still has its charms. It is not their strongest effort though (and I was a bit surprised to see it on the list). Some of the songs are a bit too twee for my taste. So I would not be inclined to give this album the full five stars but still rate it as a very solid 4.
Pleasant sounding, very melodic indie album. The gentle vocals remind me of John Cale's singing, but at times they sound a bit too weak for my taste.
It's good, I think.. not actually sure how much I enjoyed it, I just know I didn't dislike it. There's a lot of diversity here and some catchy tunes. Vocals were pretty meh, not really my taste, but good enough to be bearable. Also that album cover, huh? It sure is an album cover.
Die Nachfolgeplatte hatte ich hier bereits gehört und nicht gemocht. Ich war, gerade weil diese beiden Platten offenbar in rascher Folge aufgenommen wurden, etwas überrascht, dass mir dieses Album so viel besser gefallen hat. Das hat sich gelegt, wird in der 2. Hälfte immer öder.
The group come out peeking from behind their dole cheques for their debut. The template for what they were is here. Stuart Murdoch comes across as the Morrissey who would be ok to hang out with. Possibly too twee for some, you can't fault the lyrics and melodies. Put on your horn rimmed specs and sit back a listen to the misery and neuroticism hiding underneath those pretty melodies. Ignore that electronic track though - it's shit. Best Tracks: The State I Am In; Expectations; I Don't Love Anyone
I am familiar with BELLE AND SEBASTIAN and two side projects, having their various first albums and EP’s, but overall I remember liking the B&S off shoot, THE GENTLE WAVES, which is ISOBEL CAMPBELL's solo work and her first album, THE GREEN FIELDS OF FOREVERLAND. As to B&S, itself, TIGERMILK, struck as most memorable but did have much replayability to it. After re-listening to TIGERMILK, my first reaction was very favorable not listening to it for about 15 years, but repeated listening led to a slight downturn overall, some tracks seemed annoying at times. The vocals are sometimes too fast and it is hard to decipher what is being said. In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, besides the debut TIGERMILK is included, also the second release, IF YOU'RE FEELING SINISTER (1996) Rate Artist: BELLE AND SEBASTIAN (4.0) Rate Album (Year): TIGERMILK (1996 Original) (4.5) Ranking of BELLE AND SEBASTIAN - TIGERMILK songs No. Title Length 01. "The State I Am In" 4:57 08.5/10 02. "Expectations" 3:34 07.0/10 03. "She's Losing It" 2:22 10.0/10 04. "You're Just a Baby" 3:40 09.0/10 05. "Electronic Renaissance" 4:50 08.5/10 06. "I Could Be Dreaming" 5:56 10.0/10 07. "We Rule the School" 3:27 09.5/10 08. "My Wandering Days Are Over" 5:25 09.0/10 09. "I Don't Love Anyone" 3:56 09.5/10 10. "Mary Jo" 3:30 08.0/10 Original 1982 Release 89.0/100 = 8.9 / 2 = 4.45
I can listen to The State I Am In on repeat all day
First song started off slow, but really picked up about halfway through. An enjoyable listen. I Could Be Dreaming sounds like something out of The Sims... Rest of the songs were okay, an enjoyable listen, but not something I would revisit.
Thought this was going to be good but it was boring
How lovely, this is a long standing favourite.
Easy listening, new music for me
3/5 I’ve read the word twee used to describe this album and after looking up the definition, I’d have to agree that the lyrics occasionally take it to that level of almost too cloying. Musically the album is interesting with a dissonance happening between fun/bright instrumentals and serious/darker lyrics in songs like “She’s losing it”, “I Could Be Dreaming”, and “Expectations”. A song that I’m really torn between is “You’re Just A Baby”, I really enjoy this song musically but the lyrics weird me out in a way, perhaps that’s the point or maybe this is an example of stepping over the line of being too quaint. Overall the album was enjoyable though not exactly what I’m into. Fav Songs: Expectations, Electronic Renaissance, My Wandering Days Are Over Least Fav Song: I Don’t Love Anyone
Not my thing.
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".
So forgettable that when i woke up this morning I’d forgotten who the artist even was
to be honest, not what I thought Belle & Sebastian sounded like. It was harmless, if a bit boring and plain.
Seems like a decent enough album. Not really my kind of music though.
Not my stuff
Very very very mellow album, I’d recommend for background listening or something to put in while you read. Not my cup of tea but pretty solid overall.
didnt think id like it but i did!!
It can be a bit too twee at times and it's not something I can just listen to anytime, it's a very specific mood. However it is pretty damn enjoyable when I want to listen to it.
meh, niš spec ne loži me fazon, ispreskakao sam pola pri slušanju
dan 3/1001: jesu ovi albumi osrednji il ja samo ne kapiram muziku? electronic renaissance mozda jedina iole zanimljiva pesma na albumu. Moze to i bolje, 5/10
почео досадније од 12. епизоде Село гори а баба се чешља кад Драгојло хоће да се убије у Мораве па га спаси Радашин, после 2 или 3 онако мало еџи занимљивије песме, све у свему мош умрети а да не чујеш деф. 2,5 од 5
Bit twee but lots of good pop songs on it.
Heard this last year and quite liked it. Today it bored the balls off me.
tempted to knock off another star just for 'You're Just a Baby'
This one grew on me over time. It reminded me of the band the Decemberists. No recognized songs
I suspect they don’t fight much
Good
It's 2020. Quarantine started. Almost everyone locked themselves at home, away from the terrible mess of the outside world. It was a weird time. Stretching for months and months. A lot learned to plant, to cook, and other stuffs that are popular in the DIY world. This event accelerated a trend. No, I'm not talking about TikTok, I'm talking about people's inclination towards sentimental, minimalist stuff. Plants. "AESTHETIC" designs. Crafts. Journals. And of course, lo-fi and indie music. My teenage sister would blast moody acoustic songs, thanks to this trend. These songs are oftentimes mediocre and frankly, boring. But I do enjoy some of them, but only if they are close to rock. Biases, I know. And this album, "Tigermilk" by Belle and Sebastian, is a perfect soft quarantine-vibed indie rock. I'm not a fan of this kind of music, but this is actually well done. I love the oftentimes lo-fi instrumentals. The vocals are pretty mediocre, but I think it's appropriate. Overall, a nice indie album. I just wish I discovered it during quarantine, maybe I'll enjoy it more. I wonder if my younger sister would enjoy this piece from 1996. Maybe she would, despite it's age and the fact that TikTok probably (fortunately) haven't touched it yet.
3.4 - Another good (not great) album from B&S but not much to distinguish this from “If You’re Feeling Sinister” aside from a few goofy sonic experiments like on “Electronic Renaissance.” Hope this one’s the last from them.
boring
Still don't know if I am a Belle & Sebastian fan but leaning towards no. With the exception of a few songs including that one song from 'This is Skateboarding' on this album
Different than I expected, quality.
Mmmm ok I guess
Yeah, cool... reminds me of someone, but I can't remember who.
Pretty good. Didn't know they started in 1996.
Like a modern-day Fairport at times. Lovely.
Sufjan Stevens esque instumentals with Smiths esque lyrics
Kinda chill but I don't remember much
I went into this album expecting to hate it. Turns out, I was right. It's a hateful album. How something can be so insanely pretentious and mind-numbingly boring at the same time is beyond me. What a waste of an hour.
Indie with good pop sensibilities. Well crafted lyrics.
Lichte pop-muziek. Weinig interessant of speciaal. goed voor wat easy-listening, maar niet niet hoog op de 'herspeelbaar' lijst
Easy listening, nothing stood out.
Interesting sounding album. Will listen again. Quite surprised
Un bon album rock inde. Probablement d’angleterre.un bel album fin 90 qui sonne tres bien. Su talent cest certain.
The best of this album IMO: - You're Just A Baby - Electronic Renaissance Too calm and sweet. Not my type of rock/indie/pop. Their electronic side is way more interesting to me (like with Electronic Renaissance). I was very bored by the end of this album. 2.2/5
I am afraid I just don't get it--how is this a top 1000, and how does it have all the 4 & 5 star reviews? Seems a bit drone-y to me with little in the way of dynamics and interest.
Just had "If You're Feeling Sinister" the day before, so it's interesting to compare so closely together. I like this album too, it's got that same whimsical yet sardonic lyricism I appreciate from this group, and it seems to be a peppier album overall. Instrumentation is wonderful, enjoying it a lot.
An indie version of the beautiful south. With extra tweeness. Having said that, I do enjoy some B&S from time to time. This isn't my favourite though
I was expecting boring standard 90s indie. I got interesting and excellent 90s indie with a lot of cool things going on. A really nice vibe and just the right balance of consistency and variety to hold it together whilst also keeping it interesting. I instantly really like it. A very unexpected 5/5.
They’ve never been a ballsiest group, but they do their thing well. Always pretty relaxed and catchy
My imagination wandered right into the recursive parody of the absurdly manly metal band Spinal Tap and the flashback to their 60’s sissy origins. I don’t know the background of Belle & Sebastian so I can’t tell if they’re taking the piss on milquetoast Irish folk or anything. Cheerful and bright, but subversive somehow. I would not be surprised if there’s a follow-up where they take a hard left turn with a miniature Stonehenge.
Try as I may, I couldn't find anything going for this album other than its cover
Wasn't expecting to enjoy this that much, not as slow as I expected
Sounded pretty good, but overall not something I would listen to multiple times.
Way above average 90s pop rock. I liked it even thought not in my listeningvwheelhouse. 3.6
With a breastfeeding tiger on the cover I expected something more interesting.
Another of these groups it seems like I should be into on paper: the execution is certainly polished but something about it all hits me as insincere.
Nice instrumentation
One of their best
Tranquilo de escuchar. Pop con buena voz
poeticism without pomposity. expectations is the perfect combination of whimsical and depressing. some of it sounds more dated than vintage, but for the most part it works out for the retro folk thing they’ve got goin
A couple likeable tracks. 2.375
Generellt sätt var albumet vackert och behagligt att lyssna på. Det som rörde mig mest var albumets drag av elektronisk musik. Låten som därmed gav störst intryck hos mig var Electronic Renaissance. Albumet lyckades förvåna mig med unika och intressanta instrumentala val som stack ut från den banala komfortzonen. Detta lyfter albumet högt i mina ögon. De vågar och lyckas med något annorlunda. Samtidigt förblir musiken vid andra tillfällen det tråkiga och ordinära som hörts tidigare. Däremot har albumet ofta en bra grund och potential för att bli något mycket bättre än vad det är vid detta tillstånd. Med en starkare uppbyggnader och mer komplexitet hade kvalitén ökat drastiskt. Detta märktes mest enligt mig under låten I Could Be Dreaming.
I think it's a shame that this album will always live in the shadow of the masterpiece that is If You're Feeling Sinister, because it's a great album on its own merits. It has a weak back half (at least until it gets to the wonderful "My Wandering Days are Over," then the final stretch is quite good), but overall it's an album all indie heads should listen to at least a couple of times.
har bara lyssnat på den här plattan en gång för kanske 15 år sen och då tyckte jag den var kass. nu tyckte jag mycket mer om den!
Beautiful but maybe a bit boring at times? "I Could Be Dreaming" was nice.
I like this, it needs more time to grow on me.
Musically really pretty, pleasant arrangements, a mostly breezy listen if somewhat bittersweet. I'm not fond of Stuart Murdoch's vocals though. He has this anemic, emotionally flat style of delivery that leaves me cold. I didn't find anything particularly compelling in the lyrics. Fave Songs: We Rule the School, My Wandering Days Are Over, She's Losing It, Expectations
Really nice pretty easy listening album
VERY good! I liked it a lot. It started off a little bland, but got better. Kind of wish it hit a little bit harder, though. Not sure if that's an issue with the production, or maybe the singers just needed to be a little better? I don't know, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.
A good one but not my fav
Ok album, nice relaxing, 3.5/5
Not quite as standout as Arab Strap but really enjoyed it. Some great moments on there.
I did not care for this album. The songs were not that good and it was not memorable.
Fun fun fun!! Really liked this one!!
I think I had maybe never listened to this - or possibly any B&S - all the way through before. You know, it's pretty good.
We listen to this in the car a lot (along with the rest of the B&S back catalogue). Having gotten used to how it sounds over terrible speakers with the drone of traffic in the background, it's surprising how rich it sounds over headphones via iTunes. I think I gave to my wife on vinyl for a Christmas present a few years ago. We've seen the band a bunch of times, including at ATP Minehead (Bowlie 2), talked about going to the Boatie w/e cruise in the Med, and have talked about going to the next one (if borders are open, the stars align etc). Good album.
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 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.
Meh. The sound is nice and the talent is there for someone who's more into this style. Just not me.
A precocious debut from a band that went from strength to strength.
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.
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.
meh - end of the album was aight, but was expecting great things based on this cover
Great
Not my kind of musib
Enjoyable, if a little one paced. First band in this that I have seen live, albeit 5-6 years after this album. First Scottish band too, and quite a change of pace from Metallica! You're just a baby and I could be dreaming were my favourites after one listen
Surprising to see this album on the list, not because B&S don’t deserve to be but because later albums such as If You’re Feeling Sinister, The Boy With the Arab Strap and Dear, Catastrophe Waitress refine the model of easy going, dreamy, chamber pop with catchy choruses even further. This album points to the direction of travel, especially with the witty opener The State That I Am In (although I prefer the stripped back EP version without the added organ). A great band, great live (they love their fans). (If I have your attention, do check out The Avalanches remix of I’m A Cuckoo which is an interesting odd little gem)
As a teenager probably would have liked this. Early indie songs about teenage love and meaningful glances and holding hands. First few songs are acoustic, then switches to a bit of a more electronic and energetic vibe. Towards the end reverts back to the melancholy teenage sadness a bit.
Incredible song writing
Meh
Not for me at all but I will say that I Could Be Dreaming is a pretty perfect indie pop/rock sound that has stuck around even today
Like she's losing it
I'm very familiar with Belle & Sebastian's work from the early 2000's. As such I'm finding it hard to get into this earlier 1996 album. It's interesting to see where they started, but I much prefer the later work I'm used to!
Classic chamber pop album. Love the vocals and pretty instrumentals.
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
My favorite twee Brit-pop band. This one is better than the last one on the list and a step closer to the perfect 5 B&S album, but not quite there. A couple fives and a lot of other solid songs. Electronic Renaissance is off the beaten path and ahead of its time. Good listen.
Not their greatest work, but a pleasant backdrop for wrapping up my Friday.
First listen. Nice. I like the sounds. Would like to hear more of it.
pop, indie, folk,
Iskreno sam očekivao da će mi se album svidit, ali jednostavno mi djeluje dosadno, osim Electronic Reneissance, odlična stvar. Ostatak je dosta zaboravljiv, šteta, a baš sam htio da mi ovo bude dobar album. Možda krivo vrijeme za slušati? Ne znam.
So so pop. A bit fey. Enjoyed hearing the song based on New Order's Procession and other influences. Like The Divine Comedy this will need more listens to appreciate the clever lyrics. Lovely album cover!
Also good, but Sinister is better
crafted and beautiful but drifts toward reflective parody at times
interesting songs, lacks a real hitsong, great melodies and the topics are non standard
Pretty but nothing engaging. Inoffensive. Acceptable at a cocktail party. Not really for this kind of list.
Like the best collection of short stories, achingly beautiful
rrrrefreshing 🧊
really good. every song was good and different
Everything I know about Belle and Sebastian is from the book and movie High Fidelity. I can say, that if this is sad, bastard music, I'm a sad bastard, and I don't know what you'd call "In the Wee Small Hours," which is way more sad, bastard than this. The State I'm In - interesting rhythm. This song builds nicely, and it's lyrically interesting. I am not quite sure of the message, but it is certainly from the perspective of someone with regrets. Expectations - Another jaunty song with cryptic and and verbose lyrics. This song mentions Velvet Underground, and I did get vibes of them with the style of this music. There's a coming of age bit in here that echoes the confusion of adolescence. She's Losing it - Another ironic song in that it is a happy tone with some real tragedy in the core. Feels like a continuation or appendix to Expectations. We are also getting names now: Chelsea, Lisa You're Just a Baby - More about school and an upbeat song that feels dangerously exploitative of a younger girl. And the album artwork gives that same sense. "Kiss me on the cheek before you know what's sweet?" But then he says you will be crying in the morning and you will be married in the morning, so maybe it's more about someone who's marrying the wrong guy. Electronic Renaissance - Clearly the first think I think of is Kraftwerk with this one. The electronic sound is a stark contrast to the first three songs. An attention to dates (at least years) is a theme. Also a rave/drug vibe here. I Could Be Dreaming - after the previous song about "dropping a pill and going," this feels like a continuation. Like someone's weird drug fantasy. We get a return to the idea that there's some abusive guy causing harm to a school girl. We Rule the School - Another song with a school theme. NC is another person we get named by initials, who is not Chelsea or Lisa I guess. Then the line, You Know the World was Made for Men repeated at the end. And then, "And not us." My Wandering Days Are Over - We get Michael named, and a sense of growing up. Leaving the disco boots behind, but also innocence. They also (Belle and Sebastian) name themselves in this song. Is this the song about how Belle and Sebastian got together? I don't Love Anyone - Stream of consciousness. I don't love anyone, well maybe my sister, maybe my brother? Reminds me of that scene from the Jerk when he says he doesn't need anything...nothing...well I need this. Mary Jo - Last song, another girl's name. Very High Fidelity I guess. Lots of women just listed. She's reading the book mentioned in the first song. This was a fun album. I feel like there's more to be read between the lines, but overall, this was a solid album of theme, instrumentals, lyrics, and ambition.
It was alright, kind of strange. I don't think I would listen to it again.
Comforble
Gives me The Proclaimers vibes, really liked this album, would buy on CD if I saw it!
It's alright. Favorite tracks are 'Electronic Renaissance', 'I Don't Love Anyone' and 'Mary Jo'.
Un álbum que yo no hubiera escuchado, no es de mi estilo. Debo admitir que fue interesante, todo el álbum de un mood de relajación bonito pero si pones atención a las letras puedes encontrar cosas interesantes. Hay una canción con sintetizadores, me pareció muy interesante y me gusto. Buena experiencia.
Took me back Loved some of the songs …the ones with darkness at the edges
Fast becoming a favourite album of mine. I like the place it takes me to.
Feels weird giving this 5 because it's coughing baby compared to what follows it, but dgaf
Favourite track is just a baby, proceeding song was aptly named Electronic renaissance, bringing a stylistic shift. That renaissance didn't last however, as I could be dreaming is gritty, grungy rock which is more in sync with the early 90's. My wandering days are over is a wonderfully dreamy jam. Never heard this before, really liked it.
Nice, sounds like the grandfather of a lot of similar music to come in the 00s onwards. I may have a bias towards this type of indie-pop, so although it sounds quite familiar, a very pleasant listen.
First pop album I really enjoyed, 8/10
Melodías dulces y tiernas que te alegran. A mi me levanta mucho el ánimo. No me parece igual un disco que me vuele la cabeza. Para mi es un "Ok esta re lindo" 4 efes
First few tracks- quirky, upbeat, very interesting lyrics. More teenage antipathy than angst to the soundtrack of colourful, happy music. Love the instrumentation, the horns especially. Not mad about the singing itself but it works with this style of music. Electronic Renaissance came out of nowhere, reminds me of an Arcade Fire album. Album sort of became featureless after that
Didn't click with this at all. Not a fan of the vocal style and the songs didn't really take my interest. I assume they went on to write better stuff given their popularity but probably won't be checking it out.
I like the style of singing, I will definitely come back to listen to it better
Lo había escuchado hace mucho tiempo y tiene algunas temas muy lindos. Son todos los hijos perdidos de The Smiths. My Wanderings Days Are Over (esas trompetas hermosas) y I Don't Love Anyone son los temas que más me gusta del disco. ¿Volvería a escuchar el disco completo? No, pero ya guardé algunos temas que me gustaron y que no recordaba. 7/10 ludomatics
Made by a strange group from Glasgow. Fat-lipped vocal quality, a little wispy too. Lyrics are almost unfiltered in their simple, undressed honesty. The band’s center had just overcome Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and that means everything. Each song is full and slight. Electric Renaissance strikes me.
Es rarisimo. Escuché 1000 cosas buenas de la banda y el disco y no me cerró en lo mas minimo. Que quieren ser? Simon y Garfunkel? Beck?. Discutible que pienses "bueno pero no tienen por que ser nadie" y tendrías razon, el tema es que si vas a tener una identidad propia que al menos sea una buena. No me produjo nada. Es raro. Es de esos discos que me tomaria la molestia de parar lo que estoy haciendo para sacarlo. Y no se por qué.
Jangly guitars, atmospheric chords, some double-tracked vocals reminiscent of later Beatles, and the occasional trumpet accent. Interesting and varied.
Bright, breezy pop folk that was recorded at the other end of a long room to the band. I liked this one, even the distant production worked. Turn it down, put it it the background. It's nice.
Very driving beats, smooth trumpet lines, almost giving me Of Monsters and Men vibes, high energy, yet serene, favs - Expectations, I Don't Love Anyone
Idk
Didn't like it at first but started to enjoy it somehow after the 3rd track. Not really my cup of tea though, still enjoyable listen.
Scottish indie music. not my thing
Best Songs: Electronic Renaissance, My Wandering Days Are Over Worst Song: Mary Jo
Not my jam, but kind of cool nonetheless
Gentle voices with good stories, no hate. Very good listening to this
I like Belle and Sebastian. I liked this album. Yes, I would listen to this again. 4 stars. Potential favorite tracks (but this was only a first listen): "My Wandering Days Are Over", "I Don't Love Anyone", "She's Losing It".
THBPBPTHPT! Can't I give less than one star?
Pleasant and annoying in equal measures
loved it more than i remembered loving it
eh
meh -- not really my jammb
Awesome lyrics. Really good, took me by surprise.
1. The State I Am In- Pretty background guitars. I like the build up to the end. The lyrics are complex- it might take me awhile to fully understand them. 2. Expectations- This is super indie-cute. It was on the Juno soundtrack and I can totally see it. Kind of perfectly sums up how it is to be an awkward teenage girl. 3. She's Losing It- I like the horns. This is kind of an upbeat song considering the subject matter seems a little dark. Is it about a woman realizing she's a lesbian? Not sure. It's catchy, though. 4. You're Just a Baby- Wondering if this is from the POV of a parent speaking to a child. I get some Beatles vibes from this. 5. Electronic Renaissance- Already LOVE the intro of this song- very synthy and quite different than the rest of the tracks. This is a cool, kinda trippy song that has the potential to make it into my rotation. 6. I Could Be Dreaming- back to the guitar driven, dream pop sound. Not my fav on the album though, kinda forgettable. 7. We Rule the World- Pretty song with piano, flute, and violin. Not really sure what it's about- possibly how small and insignificant we are and how what we do doesn't really matter so we might as well do what we want? 8. My Wandering Days Are Over- I like this song. I think it's kind of about just settling down. 9. This sounds very 90s, almost like Hootie and the Blowfish in the intro! Sounds like it's from the perspective of a moody teenager. 10. Mary Jo- Nice, pretty song to end the album. I know very little of The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed, but from what I know I hear a lot of their influence in this music. Aside from one song (Electronic Renaissance), most of the songs on this album sound pretty similar. It's that sing-talky acoustic indie sound that I think made a comeback in the late 2000s. It's not bad, but to listen to a whole album of it is a lot. This group has had a long career so it would be interesting to see how their music has evolved over time. 3 stars- not bad at all but aside from a couple songs, I probably wouldn't return to it.
Not my taste, a bit uneventful
I enjoyed Belle and Sebastian Tigermilk and more. Even added it to my You Tube music.
This absolutely slaps. More of this pls list
false
Chamber Pop at its finest. Belle & Sebastian show why they have been putting out music for years with some of their highest quality in a sweet and pleasant release.
Only 3 tracks from the album are currently available on YouTube but they were not my sort of music
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.
It was okay. Pleasant. the cover was better than the album. I liked I don't love anyone and electric ren. Didn't love anything. I could do without hearing this again. I think it is the monotone singing. I don't feel any pain, emotion, joy... it's xanax music
Acho que posso chamar este álbum de Indie, partindo desta premissa posso assumir que isto está relativamente fora da minha zona de conforto. As duas primeiras músicas são bastante boas o restante álbum não é mau, mas não me cativou. Não é mau, nas não é para mim. Nota:5/10
I'm already a fan of this band. Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister (1996) is unequivocally their best album, but this debut from earlier the same year is still good. They are all about self-aware melancholy wistfulness and the indie sad-happy dynamic. Stuart Murdoch's twee song-writing and clumsy vocals are the main point of interest, and sadly the songs on this are just not as strong as the follow-up album. I really like the lo-fi synthpop of "Electronic Renaissance" and quite wish they'd done a whole album of that (Casiotone for the Painfully Alone style). Overall, their next album definitely deserves its place on the list, but this one is 3/5 to me.
It's fine
Some nice indie singer songwriter stuff, with a little electronic flavor peppered in here and there. I didn’t love it, but I certainly liked it.
At first glance I didn’t think I was going to like this one and ended up saving a couple songs. Very fun album. Upbeat. Indie vibes. Will not return to the album as a whole but happy I stubbles upon it.
Bit samey. Not really my cup of tea.
Schönes verträumtes Album. Erinnert mich an Sommertage Ende der 90er. Nach der Schule direkt zum Schwimmen, lange Ferien und ein ganz anderes Zeitgefühl.
❤️
its some music isn't it. its nice but fairly wishy washy, it just passes you by. there aren't really any emotions stirred up by this music. it just happens and then when it stops you kind of just notice why its gone quiet instead of feeling sadness that the entrhalling music that has you so gripped has ended.
This is better than I expected it to be. Definitely has that 90’s college/indie band sound. Dude is a master at melody. Not going to purchase, not yet. But I will listen again. I’m also getting a more consistently upbeat version on James. I get all the twee descriptions
Started nice The State I am is a personal favourite Feels like a wedding band but also good for road trips
Out of 1000 the first 25 had two for Neil young and two were belle and Sebastian. This algorithm sucks. Another great one. B&S are fantastic.
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
I listened to this yesterday but didn't remember a single thing about it. Was better upon second listen, some surprisingly nice tracks
3.5/5 I think I should listen to it again. It seemed promising
Shameful that I have never listened to this album. I'm more familiar with Sinister and Catastrophe Waitress. This album is beautiful and I love it.
Mary Jo
Different, not too shabby
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.
Pues, me gustaron 5 canciones de 10.
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.
false
Good album. Non offensive, enjoyable.
On first listening I was disappointed. I was prepared to really love it. It was good, but not exceptional. I've listened to it 3 times now, and it's grown on me.
'You're just a baby' is Robert Plant's favourite from this. The guy loves babies. Not in a good way.
I've always had a huge soft spot for "twee-pop", despite absolutely hating the term twee-pop - I'm sure NME are to blame, they usually are. The world would be a little less fun without the jangly indie of twee bands from Talulah Gosh to the mighty Los Campesinos!, and Belle & Sebastian are up there with the very best of them. This isn't their best album but it's a strong debut, especially considering it was thrown together in a week and none of them had played together before recording. Oh, and the album cover is a woman breastfeeding some sort of toy tiger fish, so there's that.
Awesome
Det kan et eller andet
good album, didnt really pay much attention to the lyrics but nice background music
"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*
Good.
Pues batstante chido, no esperaba pasármela bien con algo que en mi prejuicio suena a "rock indie". Supongo que por el eclecticismo del album me pareció chido, un poco de todo, ruido, synth, cuerdas clásicas, post punk vibes, ondita alternativa. Favs: She's losing it, Electronic Renaissance que está chida la idea, y My Wandering 0Days are Over. Mood: cuando dujeron I Don´t Love Anyone... I really felt that.
Nice angst & humour in the vocals. The first thirty seconds had me chuckling. I like the addition of strings & horns to some of the songs. It gave them a mid-sixties feel and more of it would have reduced the overall sameness of the songs.
Ok
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
Hier deutlich festzustellen: ein gewisser 90er-Bias, vermutlich einfach wegen des intensiveren Erlebens und Erinnerns einiger Platten (Pavement, Blur, Massive Attack, Faith No More, ...). Hier allerdings liegt der Fall anders, ich hab Belle & Sebastian so richtig erst Anfang der Nuller auf den Schirm genommen und auch da zunächst nicht besonders groß. Wäre also leicht gewesen, das hier mit einer lockeren 3 durchzubewerten, ABER: das geht natürlich nicht, nein, hier nun wirklich nicht. Da sind NUR HITS drauf, "gut gealtert" wäre eine Beleidigung weil die meisten von denen sind sogar noch besser geworden. Glatte 5, klar verdient.
Sweet and almost soothing tracks. Nothing really struck me, but strong across the board.
Not bad, but not really good. I thought it'd be better. But it was OK. Nice way of finishing the work week
One of the best Belle & Sebastian's albums. A great indie example of 90's
Bland to my ear.
Somber and delicate melodies accompanied by piano and guitar. The first half wasn’t the most exciting for me personally. I enjoyed Electric Renaissance quite a bit. Decent album, but I prefer the Scottish Indie Pop group’s “Write About Love”, although it is like splitting hairs.
I kind of like the soft pop sound.
Pretty cool. Need to listen again when in a sentimental type mood
So twee and light. But beneath those delightful melodies lurks some sharp satire and hipster angst.
It’s just ok. Nothing special but also nothing bad. I wouldn’t feel like I was missing anything if I’d have not heard this album and I think I’ll forget it quickly.
This is one of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands
Ok
The album peaks in the first half. Expectations through to I Could Be Dreaming are the standout tracks. The latter half of the album seems to mould into one and the songs don’t stand out as much. Still a half decent album with interesting lyrics. It’s very listenable (probably driving through the countryside) but it could be better based on the standard of the first half.
Aquí soy muy parcial, porque Belle & Sebastian ha estado entre mis bandas favoritas de la vida, desde la prepa que los conocí. Este no es uno de mis discos preferidos de ellos, pero tiene todo lo que uno puede esperar de ellos: algunas buenas letras, muchos instrumentos, moods variados y como toda esa vibra ""indie"" que se puede pedir. Antes, "Electronic Renaissance" era casi que mi top del disco, pero ahora pienso que la que más quiero del disco es "I Don't Love Anyone" por afinidad personal. "The State I Am In", "I Could Be Dreaming" y "Expectations" completan lo que más disfruto de este disquito. En fin, pues claro que mi sesgado 10/10.
Cool debut album from one of the first indie bands to warm our hearts. Twas a refreshing listen!
Not my style
Not the biggest fan of indie, but I found myself enjoying the songs and harmonies on this album. A good album overall.
This is an upbeat and folky pop style inspired album. An accent on the main singer adds a sense of rawness to the soundstage whilst the use of taps, claps and drums allows for a more playful and rich tone throughout. Just as the style of the album is started to be understood, an **Electronic Renaissance** in the form of a mid album breakup shakes things up. The mixing of this track is raw and unfiltered, presenting harsh trebles and highs, a radio in the shed experience. Suddenly, we are back into the earlier album with a happy style guitar riff paving way for the ballad style **‘I could Be Dreaming’** The use of tremolo and echos throughout the song provides a warm feel to the track. Powerful tracks and voice complete the powerful backing to the song. The vocals provide a surprising rounding and polish to the outdo of the song, solidifying the ballad experience. Suddenly the tempo drops in a reflective outlook on life as shown in **We Rule The School**, make the most of your life and think back to the times as a kid. This vocal emphasised track intertwines with various musical melodies to represent the different paths of different people. Powerful lyrics presenting a powerful message. **My Wandering Days Are Over** has a sense of refinement, a reflective look back on life with a feeling of the journey through life. We can hear about the path the lead singer has taken, the wisdom he has gained along the way. The music is less playful, more serious and the addition of brass represents the subtle seriousness of the track. **I don’t love anyone** and **Mary Jo** are just not worth writing about, a weak end to a could be great album.
Niet slecht, maar niet helemaal m’n ding
I did not enjoy this.
Reminds me of 2000 - Hope St. Always preferred Boy with the Arab Strap, think the pop jangle of Dirty Dream #2, sold me on Belle and Sebastian.
Almost decemberists sounding. Pretty cool!
I liked this album, it was a mix of Elliott Smith, mountain goats, and....i wanna say Spoon.
It grew on me pretty quick... I liked Expectations and The State I'm In the most, though the rest of the album was enjoyable as well (Electronic Renaissance probably the least). Mellow style and engaging lyrics.
Upbeat, and diverse with rich tones and sounds
dont like
I don’t love it, didn’t hate it. Decent background music.
good soft indie
okay. might give me an existential crisis???
Album was so, so, but their later music was much better!
Not a great album to me. The music is tame and not very 'creative' basic tunes. The singing is what made me really not like this. It's not so much singing as narrating over some instruments and there doesn't seem to be and flow in the lyrics. It sounds like you asked someone how was your day and as they told you there was some music in the backround
I really really enjoyed this. What a gem.
Beautiful
meh
It's a very different sound and style than current Belle and Sebastian, that's for sure. I would equate it to a less ambitious Abbey Road, maybe? I know it's a bit cliche to compare a band to the Beatles, but that was my thought while listening to it. I appreciated how things got a little shaken up into electronica halfway through the album, but I enjoyed the A-side more than the B. Favorite song is The State I'm In, least favorite is I Could Be Dreaming.