Rough Trade Records The Life Pursuit was planned as a double CD but the weakest tracks were dropped to produce this 13 song-strong single album. The result is a hugely impressive collection packed with memorable tunes and sing-along lyrics. Although you should be careful where you’re doing that sing-along. Stuart Murdoch’s honey-tinged tones make any words sound sweet, whether he’s singing “loving you is the greatest thing” or “fuck them too”!
There are so many exquisite songs here – at least ten could happily be singles and only Act Of The Apostle II fails to provide instant gratification. Belle and Sebastian’s sound is original but contains strong echoes from the 70s. White Collar Boy harks back to T-Rex and the fabulous Sukie In the Graveyard recalls Aladdin Sane-era Bowie. One of the standouts is Funny Little Frog, a bouncy foot-tapper that requires several listens to make sense of the strange relationship it describes.
Existing fans will have no complaints and the stronger sound should attract a new audience. The only minor disappointment is the somewhat mundane title. For a band responsible for the wonderfully monikered Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant and Push Barman To Open Old Wounds, it feels like they could have tried harder!
Beautiful, funny, uplifting, poppy… B&S’s seventh album is heavenly Verdict: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
