:: Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit

Belle & Sebastian

Democracy doesn‘t always work­ in bands. Belle and Sebastian is one such example. Their weaker moments have always been when chief songwriter Stuart Murdoch lessened his influence and allowed his six other band mates to share in song writing duties. The results were often forgettable and the band was starting to loose relevance as well as fans. But Belle and Sebastian changed all that when they released Dear Catastrophe Waitress in 2003. The album was hailed as a 'comeback’ by critics because that‘s what essentially happened. Murdoch returned and wrote all the songs. The big sound and memorable hooks that characterised that album has returned with BS's seventh recording, 'The Life Pursuit’, and yes Murdoch has again written all the songs. The Life Pursuit is another bright slab of classic pop that cannot fail in making you smile and sing along. ‘The Blues Are Still Blue’ is possibly the most joyous song the band ever produced and it showcases their new found swagger. While ‘White Collar Boy’ and ‘Suki in the Graveyard’ are even more danceable and funky. Every thing on this album spells confidence and for a band to sound this relaxed after seven albums is an achievement indeed. ‘The Life Pursuit’ cements Bell and Sebastian's reputation as a legendary indie outfit and is defiantly one of brightest musical releases of this year.