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What might have led Belle and Sebastian to collaborate with a producer like Trevor Horn? (Remember Video Killed The Radio Star? He was the "Buggle" with glasses—responsible for the success of many groups including T.A.T.U and Frankie Goes To Hollywood).
They probably did it to sell more records. That's also why music is marketed... to sell it. Commercial... ah, what a terrible word, right? And that's exactly why in some articles I read, the album has been a bit criticized. The most die-hard and devoted fans considered it almost a betrayal or perhaps didn't appreciate the Beach Boys-like polish of certain arrangements in some tracks, especially the single "Step Into My Office, Baby," a bit sly and super catchy... (affairs at the office... shall we talk about that???)
Even "You Don't Send Me" and "Roy Walker" are decidedly more "accessible" compared to the kind of music Belle and Sebastian had accustomed us to, a genre of sad and slightly unlucky minstrels, so well represented in the first, beautiful "If You're Feeling Sinister," where Stuart Murdoch's eternally adolescent voice accompanied by the acoustic sweetness of piano and bass sang.... "Get me away from here, I'm dying... play me a song to set me free..."
Here, it's as if Belle and Sebastian—after 7 years and about ten records—had left their melancholic indie bedroom in foggy Scotland to take a trip to California... they're still unlucky, yes, but now they're tanned and cheerful!
Well, I like this album, and a lot too! It puts me in a good mood on this solitary and autumnal Monday morning at work. And while I'm humming "We need to talk... step into my office, baby..." I think music serves this purpose too, doesn't it?
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