The Glaswegian septet returns with what some are calling their most diverse, and perhaps best, album yet.

So anyway, I’ve just bought a new dress, and instead of writing a review of this album I found myself dancing around like a fool, because this album just makes you do that. It’s got 60’s soul, 70’s rock, and a big fat dollop of good old twee.

The Life Pursuit commences with the rather Beach Boys sounding Act of the Apostle Part 1, and it gives you an idea of the sort of standard this album is. It’s like Dear Catastrophe Waitress, but so much happier, it makes you want to hug everyone you see. I don’t suggest you do this too often though, I think you can be arrested for things like that.

Stuart Murdoch’s vocals are as beautiful as ever, with a unique style which fits so perfectly. Songs like Blue Collar Boy have an immense likening to T-Rex, but in a much better way than you might imagine. However, We Are The Sleepy Heads is a happy-go-lucky 60’s influenced song of happiness. It just makes you feel a warm and fuzzy. Maybe. The there’s the single Funny Little Frog, released a few weeks prior to the album, and I’ve already been to little indie discos and had a lovely little dance to it, despite being pissed as a fart. It’s got lovely little piano and bass riffs, and as I have come to learn, I truly am a sucker for bass-lines, so I certainly give it a big fat thumbs up.

Mornington Crescent reminds me a little of Van Morrison, too. Not vocally, obviously, I’d say the two singers are perhaps a little bit different… but it’s a sweet song with piano to make you smile, and slow drums which lead the song fantastically.

I would go on and tell you everything I love about every song, but I think I’ll stop before I ruin it for everyone. You’ve got to have something to surprise you, after all. If you’re a Belle and Sebastian hard-core purist, or a complete virgin, I’d say buy it. I think you’ve got to be soulless not to at least like it. But you ought to love it, really.

If you’ve got a ticket to see them on tour, you’re very lucky. If you haven’t, you’d best get off and rob a bank, then bid for one on Ebay!

Label: Rough Trade
Website: www.belleandsebastian.com
Release date: 64th February 2006

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