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Rating: Reviewing a music album is by no means an easy task. Music is something so subjective that making your review reliable and objective is almost impossible... and yet comments purely related to the emotions the album manages to convey are often unavoidable, even if they refer to something entirely personal.
Now, reviewing a Belle & Sebastian album and being objective is something possible but pointless. Their music is mainly based on constant emotions and the pathos that the songs can evoke in those who have the right sensitivity to appreciate this genre. You can't really talk about impeccable technique, a breathtaking voice, generational anthems. Yet, falling in love with them was all too easy for me, because of the disarming beauty of their innate simplicity.
Their music is genuine, it's delicate, and the verses Murdoch sings almost timidly in that masterpiece called "Tigermilk", tap on our eardrums with a gentle touch, and it's entirely up to us to welcome them. Because at a superficial listen, Belle & Sebastian are less than nothing. Catchy little songs and often irresistibly captivating, simple tunes to hum while driving or walking.
But try to listen to Belle & Sebastian more deeply. Profound lyrics, often true poetry, blend very touchingly with their melodies, and these can always keep you company, suitable for various moments, without ever becoming boring or heavy.
Indeed, Belle & Sebastian are not heavy at all. In every sense. And this "Tigermilk," which is one of the great discoveries of my summer, is proof that their music, timidly and with a very sweet insecurity, deserves the affection of many, and often even more.
"Oh, I was surprised. I was happy for a day, in 1975".
This is how the touching "The State that I am in" begins. And read that first sentence carefully, which encompasses so much within it. What do you expect from a person who still remembers they were surprised to be happy for a day, twenty years ago? A person certainly not used to happy days. And then you will have already guessed that it's hard to read joyful confessions from Stuart Murdoch.
And it begins by recounting a dream, in which his brother confessed his homosexuality on his sister's wedding day. Well, get used to these tales of ordinary life, stories of real people. Because that's what the Scottish band does: tells stories, stories of people in difficulty, stories of dreams and fears.
And "The State that I am in" has a structure that will repeatedly recur in the first track of their subsequent albums: It starts with just the voice, and gradually various instruments are added, creating a beautiful effect. It's as if Stuart Murdoch is on his own singing, and magically evocative music surrounds and accompanies him through a series of beautiful tracks, as he narrates in verses all that his brilliant mind has to tell.
"They used you, you're confused. Write a song, I'll sing it with you. Are you calm? Rest assured, soon you'll know you're sane. You're back on top of the world".
"Expectations" is a poignant track that addresses a girl suffocated by expectations and a life she doesn't want. The chorus quoted above is touching, while the upbeat music pleasantly blends with Murdoch's singing. The entire lyric is equally touching.
"Chelsea was the one who suffered abuse, this changed her life philosophy in '82. She says 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!', who needs boys when Lisa is around?"
"She's Losing It" is simply a delightful dive into the distant 1920s. Everything, from the instruments to the piece's chorus, evokes that period, and the enchanting track tells the story of a lesbian girl whose life changed after suffering abuse in '82. This is a typical example of the B&S style with that vintage and highly evocative flavor, which can also be found in the following track.
"You're just a child, little girl, so kiss me on the cheek before going to school"
It's easy to understand what "You're Just a Baby" is about. A love affair between a man and a girl still going to school, whom he addresses as if she's a child. The piece is engaging and quite fast, also in pure Belle and Sebastian style with a fantastic chorus.
"Monochrome in the 90s, you go clubbing, I’ll go my way."
Here's what is undoubtedly the most peculiar piece of the album. "Electronic Renaissance" describes the 90s disco culture. The song ends by saying "Take a pill and say hello," referring precisely to the widespread use of drugs in clubs. The music itself is created from distorted sounds, and the voice is affected by a particular sound effect, and soon a persistent drum joins, making the song a special and beautiful moment.
"If you had such a dream would you wake up and do the things you dreamed about?"
This is the question Stuart poses to the listener in "I Could Be Dreaming", an emotional crescendo culminating with the ethereal voice of Isobel Campbell, the female voice that for the first time comes forward pronouncing a long series of words.
"You know the world is made for men, not for us."
And here we reach the album's most delicate track. A piano accompanies Murdoch's melancholy voice in "We Rule The School," a poignant and evocative piece where the singer pauses to observe the initials NC carved in a trunk, wondering about their story, and then that phrase, "We rule the school," written at the bus stop. He invites the person to whom the song is addressed to do something nice, now and then, like reading the Gospel, or doing a twirl on the ice. And the melancholy way of ending the piece, with a pessimistic phrase such as "the world is made for men, not for us," highlights the weaknesses and insecurities in which the singer lives.
"With the story of Sebastian and the singer, Bell"
"My Wandering Days Are Over" seems to have been written after Stuart met the beautiful Isobel, who then became a cellist and second voice. The piece boasts the typical catchy sound and an easily assimilable chorus, and very particular lyrics: "You know my wandering days are over, does it mean I'm getting boring?".
"I don't love anything, not even Christmas. That in particular. I don't love anything."
If I had to personally award the track with the most impactful lyrics, it would be all too easy for me to choose "I Don’t Love Anyone". Murdoch is not afraid to sing and repeat that no, he doesn’t love anyone, he doesn’t love anything. He doesn't even love Christmas. An ever-present drum and a compelling rhythm accompany one of my all-time favorite lyrics. Stuart's sincerity makes this song one of the many gems written by the band.
"Because life is never dull in your dreams. It’s a shame it doesn’t go the way you see it."
Here we are at the closing track, opened by a smooth flute melody. "Mary Jo" tells an entirely invented story, inspired by Murdoch from seeing a girl on the other side of the street on an ordinary day. And he loves to fantasize so much, the singer of B&S, that out comes the story of Mary Jo, who sits alone at home drinking tea, who went through hell but came out stronger, who left many men behind for women and clandestine love.
In general the album is a pleasure that never tires. Belle & Sebastian never exaggerate, never go over the limit, but never lose tone, never feel empty. The group consists of numerous musicians, and many instruments are involved in various tracks of their albums.
"Tigermilk," prepared in 5 days for a university competition, assures them the expected victory and much, much more. A limited edition of the album on vinyl soon becomes the desire of many, and only years later, due to high demand, the album is reissued on CD, still with its charming cover depicting a young girl nursing a stuffed tiger.
What Belle & Sebastian were at their inception, who knows if they still are, or if they will continue to be. Because insecurity, inexperience, shyness, and delicacy make "Tigermilk" beautiful beyond any words of mine.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 The State I Am In (04:58)
I was surprised, I was happy for a day in 1975
I was puzzled by a dream, stayed with me all day in 1995
My brother had confessed that he was gay
It took the heat off me for a while
He stood up with a sailor friend
Made it known upon my sisters wedding day
Got married in a rush to save a kid from being deported
Now she's in love
I was so touched, I was moved to kick the crutches
From my crippled friend
She was not impressed cause I cured her on the Sabbath
So I went to confess
When she saw the funny side, we introduced my child bride
To whisky and gin
The priest in the booth had a photographic memory
For all he had heard
He took all of my sins and he wrote a pocket novel called
"The State I Am In"
So I gave myself to God
There was a pregnant pause before he said ok
Now I spend my day turning tables round In Marks & Spencer's
They don't seem to mind
I gave myself to sin
I gave myself to Providence
And I've been there and back again
The state that I am in
Oh love of mine, would you condescend to help me
I am stupid and blind
Desperation is the Devil's work, it is the folly of a boys empty mind
Now I'm feeling dangerous, riding on city buses for a hobby is sad
Why don't you lead me to a living end?
I promised that I'd entertain my crippled friend
My crippled friend
02 Expectations (03:34)
Monday morning, wake up knowing that you've got to go to school,
Tell your mum what to expect, she says it's right out of the blue
Do you want to work in Debenham's, because that's what they expect?
Start in Lingerie, and Doris is your supervisor
And the head said that you always were a queer one from the start
For careers you say you went to be remembered for your art
Your obsessions get you known throughout the school for being strange
Making life-size models of the Velvet Underground in clay
In the queue for lunch they take the piss, you've got no appetite
And the rumour is you never go with boys and you are tight
So they jab you with a fork, you drop the tray and go berserk
While your cleaning up the mess the teacher's looking up your skirt
You've been used, you're confused
Are you calm? Settle down
Write a song, I'll sing along
Soon you will know that you are sane
You're on top of the world again
Monday morning, wake up knowing that you've got to go to school
Mum said she had little choice when she was young, so why should you?
Do you went to work in C&A, 'cause that's what they expect
Move to Ladie's wear and take a feel off Joe the Storeman
Tell Veronica the secrets of the boy you never kissed
She's got everything to gain 'cause she's a fat girl with a lisp
She sticks up for you when you get aggravation from the snobs
'Cause you can't afford a blazer and you're always wearing clogs
At the interval you lock yourself away inside a room
Head of English gets you, asks you, "What the Hell do you think you're doing?"
"Do you think you're better then the other kids? Well get outside."
You've got permission, but you've got to make the bastard think he's right
You've been used, you're confused
Write a song, I'll sing along
Are you calm? Settle down
Soon you will know that you are sane
You're on top of the world again
05 Electronic Renaissance (04:51)
Play a game with your electronics
Take a step to the discotheque, and people
Go outside where there's someone watching cars go by
And the city tall with steeples
Hand in hand with the Electronic Renaissance Is the way to go
Hand in hand with the Electronic Renaissance is the way to go, boy
Hand in hand with the Electronic Renaissance is the way to go
You're learning, soon you will do the things you wanted
Since you were wearing glitter badges
If you work for much very longer
You'll be known as the boy who's always working
If you dance for much very longer
You'll be known as the boy who's always dancing
Monochrome in the 1990's
You go disco and I'll go my way
Monochrome in the 1990's
You go disco and I'll go my way
Monochrome in the 1990's
You go disco and I'll go Funkadelic, man
Is the way to go
So drop a pill and then say hello
07 We Rule the School (03:27)
On a beech tree rudely carved
NC loved me
Why did she do it?
Was she scared?
Was she bored?
On a beech tree rudely carved
NC loved me
Why did she do it?
Was she scared?
Was she pushed?
Do something pretty while you can
Don't fall asleep
Skating a pirouette on ice is cool
Do something pretty while you can
Don't be a fool
Reading the Gospel to yourself is fine
On a bus stop in the town
"We Rule The School"
Written for everyone to read and see
On a bus stop in the town
"We Rule The School"
Written for everyone with eyes in their head
Do something pretty while you can
Don't fall asleep
Driving from California to New York
Call me a prophet if you like
It's no secret
You know the world is made for men
You know the world is made for men
You know the world is made for men
Not us
08 My Wandering Days Are Over (05:26)
You know my wandering days are over
Does that mean that I'm getting boring?
You tell me
I'm tired of listening to myself now
I'm tired of fixing things for Michael and the rest of them
You know my bip-bopping days are over
I hung my boots up and then retired from the disco floor
Now the centre of my so called being is
The space between your bed and wardrobe with the louvre doors
I said "My celibate days are over"
You put me straight on the finer points of my speech rehearsed
In the mirror of my steamy bathroom
Where the lino tells a sorry story in a monologue
Six months on, the winter's gone
The disenchanted pony
Left the town with the circus boy
The circus boy got lonely
It's summer, and it's sister song's
Been written for the lonely
The circus boy is feeling melancholy
It's got to be fate that's doing it
A spooky witch in a sexy dress has been bugging me
With the story of the way it should be
With the story of Sebastian and Belle the singer
I said "My one man band is over"
I hit the drum for the final time and I walked away
I saw you in Japanese restaurant
You were doing it for business men on the piano, Belle
You said it was a living Hell
You said you were in Hell
10 Mary Jo (03:30)
Mary Jo, living alone
Drinking tea, on her own
She wants, tell em what you want
Mary Jo, living alone
Drinking gin the tellys on
She wants
The night to follow day and back again
She doesn't want to sleep
Well who could blame her if she wants?
The night to follow day and back again
She doesn't want to sleep
Well who could blame her, if she sleeps?
Well who could blame her, if she sleeps?
Well who could blame her, if she's sleeping?
Mary Jo, back with yourself
For company, keep telling yourself you're young
And it will happen soon
Mary Jo, no one can guess
What you've been through
Now you've got love to burn
It's someone else's turn to go through Hell
Now you can see them come from fifty yards
Yeah you can tell
It's someone else's turn to take a fall
And now you are the one who's strong enough to help them
The one who's strong enough to help them
The one who's strong enough to help them all
Mary Jo, you're looking thin
You're reading a book, "The State I'm In"
But oh, it doesn't help at all
Cause what you want is a cigarette
And a thespian with a caravanette in Hull
Your life is never dull in your dreams
A pity that it never seems to work the way you see it
Life is never dull in your head
A sorry tale of action and the men you left for
Women, and the men you left for
Intrigue, and the men you left for dead
Your life is never dull in your dreams
A pity that it never seems to work the way you see it
Life is never dull in your head
A sorry tale of action and the men you left for
Women, and the men you left for
Intrigue, and the men you left for dead
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By francis
The music of Belle & Sebastian should be experienced as a parenthesis beyond reality and beyond one’s own memory.
For me, the real masterpiece of the group is this debut, which is often unjustly overlooked.
