Boy With The Arab Strap, The - Belle & Sebastian

...Its about a little boy called Sebastien and his Pyreenes mountain dog called Belle. The novel became a popular children’s TV show in France during the 1970s.

In 1998, Belle and Sebastian won the best newcomer award in the Brits. This was a public vote and they bet off the mighty Steps to win the alloclade – this was the first point l had heard of the group – they were virtually unheard off. Their win was dulled by ...
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The album “The Boy With The Arab Strap” was released in 1998 and hit a peak of number 12 in the album chart and then plummeted to nothingness.

Although l had heard vaguely of the group l new nothing about them, but at a barbecue in the heady days of summer way back in June (do you remember it!!) l heard the album played at a friends house through a drunken stupor and something stuck – l had to text her on ... more

Before l review the actual album l suppose l better tell you about Belle and Sebastian because if you were anything like me until recently you probably don’t know either who they are or very little about them.

Their name comes from “Belle Et Sebastien” a novel by Madame Cecile Aubry. Its about a little boy called Sebastien and his Pyreenes mountain dog called Belle. The novel became a popular children’s TV show in France during the 1970s.

In 1998, Belle and Sebastian won the best newcomer award in the Brits. This was a public vote and they bet off the mighty Steps to win the alloclade – this was the first point l had heard of the group – they were virtually unheard off. Their win was dulled by the calls of vote rigging.

The band was formed in 1996 in an all night café in Glasgow, by Stuart Murdoch and the now departed (not dead though!) Stuart David. The band now compromise of 8 full time members including:

Chris Geddes
Isobel Campbell
Mick Cooke
Richard Colburn
Sarah Martin
Stuart Murdoch
Bobby Kildea

The album “The Boy With The Arab Strap” was released in 1998 and hit a peak of number 12 in the album chart and then plummeted to nothingness.

Although l had heard vaguely of the group l new nothing about them, but at a barbecue in the heady days of summer way back in June (do you remember it!!) l heard the album played at a friends house through a drunken stupor and something stuck – l had to text her on the following Monday to find out who they were.

I picked the album up in Our Price – they had an offer on 2 for twenty quid – not bad!

TRACK 1 - It Could Have Been A Brilliant Career

I have three favourite tracks on the album and this is one of them – it’s a catchy wee number that will have you singing it all day long. Its softy melodic with guitar and keyboards accompanies the male lead vocal.

TRACK 2 – Sleep Around The Clock

A bit faster that the previous and it also is the second of my three favourite tracks. It’s a happy tune. Both male and female vocals – a good toe tapping tune.

TRACK 3 – Is It Wicked Not To Care?

A female lead vocal this time. A ballad, a folksy tune. It seems to be accompanied by both guitar and drums

TRACK 4 – Ease Your Feet In the Sea

Immediately on hearing the intro l think CHA CHA CHA!! Perhaps the vocals and stance of the track are a bit samey to that of the previous track.

TRACK 5 – A Summer Wasting

A soft piano track with male lead vocals. It’s a relaxing tune.

TRACK 6 – Seymour Stein

A haunting intro – which l begin to sway to as it begins. Another male lead vocal, - a slow ballad, chilling music

TRACK 7 – A Space Boy Dream

A lot different to all the other tracks – the spoke vocals are heard over the music – you hear a hypnotic Scottish male with a lilting accent.

TRACK 8 – Dirty Dream Number Two

A big happy tune, with trumpets, cymbals and drums. Again another male vocal.

TRACK 9 – The Boy With The Arab Strap

Obviously the title track for the album. A soft keyboard intro, hand clapping, head nodding – l don’t know the words but l hum along anyway – its bloody brilliant. This is my other favourite track if you hadn’t guessed already!

TRACK 10 – Chickfactor

A soft piano introduction, which makes me, sway. Hauntingly folksy vocals again.

TRACK 11 – Simple Things

A more rock guitar features on this track but again the vocals are still in that haunting melodic style as in the rest of the album.

TRACK 12 – The Rollercoaster Ride

Drums signal the introduction, with guitars and keyboards following – male vocals floating across the music.

OVERALL

Its Scottish, it has exquisite vocals, its folksy, its toe tapping, its finger clicking, and it’s an excellent album. Im sorry if the description was not technical for some but, l simply know what l like – l like songs with vocals and Belle and Sebastian really do give me what l want. I would recommend it to everyone – great for relaxing too, and fabulous for driving too!

For further details check out the following web sites:

http://www.jeepster.co.uk/belleandsebastian
http://www.belleandsebastian.co.uk

Heather

 

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