Search - Camera Obscura :: Underachievers Please Try Harder

Belle and Sebastian with a dash of "oldies"

Greg Brady | Capital City | 07/02/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Despite the protestations of some here, this CD resembles nothing so much as early B&S, albeit often with "thicker" production values. That is, except for the moments when it sounds like longlost rock and roll of the 50s or 60s era.



HIGHLIGHTS:

"Suspended from Class" is a poignant look at the awkwardness of wanting to be "more than friends" with its catchy refrain of "I should be suspended from class/I don't know my elbow from my arse". "Teenager" sounds like it's slipped through a time warp from the early 60s, a bossa novaish backbeat coupled with a tremeloed guitar. In it, one of the band's female singers chides a male friend for chasing after a girl who's all fluff, no substance, while adding a subtle tinge of jealousy as a subtext. "Number One Son" is a brisk number that incorporates some tasteful strings in its tale of a woman struggling in her relationship with a man who can't get paternal acceptance. If it weren't for the Scottish accent, you might be persuaded "Let me Go Home" is old Motown with its nimble bass and handclap and tambourine rhythm.



BOTTOM LINE:

B&S fans should adore this. Indie pop fans might also think this is the "cat's pajamas" to steal a phrase from the decade they reference most. Those not in those two categories will want to listen first to see if it's their cup of tea. In the end, I just couldn't find an emotional connection to this often enough to make it a must for my collection."