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Track Listings
| 1. Step Into My Office, Baby |
| 2. Dear Catastrophe Waitress |
| 3. If She Wants Me |
| 4. Piazza, New York Catcher |
| 5. Asleep On A Sunbeam |
| 6. I'm A Cuckoo |
| 7. You Don't Send Me |
| 8. Wrapped Up In Books |
| 9. Lord Anthony |
| 10. If You Find Yourself Caught In Love |
| 11. Roy Walker |
| 12. Stay Loose |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
The presence of Trevor Horn (the man behind Tatu and Frankie Goes to Hollywood) as producer suggested that a stylistic leap was imminent. But would it be at the cost of the group's unique charm? Thankfully not. Chief songwriter Stuart Murdoch has clearly been listening to a lot of Randy Newman and Joe Jackson, along with a touch of Thin Lizzy, and Horn manages to meld these new influences with the trademark B&S sound. "Step into My Office Baby" is orchestral pop with a cheeky, almost raucous bent. "If She Wants Me" pulls off a flirtation with Orange Juice-style funk, while "Stay Loose" could be Squeeze covering "Space Oddity". On the more traditional B&S songs (the title track, "Wrapped Up in Books", live favourite "Lord Anthony"), the ante is upped simply by the quality of songwriting, which is a match for anything from the Tigermilk glory days.
For a band whose best work seemed long behind them, Dear Catastrophe Waitress is just what was ordered. Not simply a return to form, but a bright new future. --Ian Watson
Product Description
Customer Reviews
So where does that leave DCW? I bought it simply because I happened to be in a cd buying mood on the day it came out, and my expectations weren't high-- it took me a couple of days to even get round to putting it in the player. And it's not been off since.
To say that it's a return to form would be a little misleading, since they have never sounded quite like this. Although on paper teaming up with Trevor Horn sounds horrific, it is clear he and the band were thinking along the same lines. If you are sceptical about the collaboration, wait for the moment when the horns come in on 'I'm a cuckoo', and I defy you not to start grinning like an idiot.
They seem to have recaptured the ability to write great pop songs, but have been invigorated by a new direction. It's not the radical change some would have you believe, but seems to be a calculated development. This definitely recaptures the spirit of those first few releases-- buy it now!
Well, fortunately they do. This is not a Trevor Horn album, it's a brilliant case of a producer bringing out the best in the band. Well done Trev, this is Belle & Sebastian in 2003 and sounding good. The vocals have never been stronger and the production smoother.
"I'm A Cuckoo" is the highlight; chunking guitar and sweet tune. Duff rhyme on "Thin Lizzy-o" though! And, despite what other reviewers say here, I like "Roy Walker". It's the only track that uses vocal harmonies.
Weakest, and strangest, track is 'Stay Loose', which does rather seem to be tacked on at the end. B&S does New-Wave circa 1981. And an extended guitar solo??
Only time will tell if it's as good as earlier stuff, but a definite recovery since 'Fold Your Arms' and a strong record.
Dear Catastrophe Waitress sees B&S move forward a decade or two in their sound and they've produced an album containing many fantastic pop songs. Really, this is what all pop music should sound like.
A couple of disappointments in 'Asleep On A Sunbeam' and 'Roy Walker', which both do little, but tracks such as 'I'm A Cuckoo' which rips off Thin Lizzy and the pacey number 'Wrapped Up In Books' with classy harmonies throughout show that B&S have progressed as a band and can maintain a high standard.
Don't believe the doubters, they're stuck in past!
How wrong I was! Since then, I have had this album on constant rotation. Stuart's songwriting is as great, if not better than ever, as are the arrangements. There are just too many standout songs to go into any great detail here. Buy this album and try not to smile as you listen to opener, Step Into My Office, Baby, and the pure pop of, I'm A Cuckoo, with it's obvious nods to Thin Lizzy.
Belle & Sebastian have come a long way from their classic debut, Tigermilk, and are sounding every bit as good for it.
That could apply to most Belle & Sebastian music, but this album shows a clear evolution from previous work. The opening track, and single "Step into my office, baby" is a funky number with rolling drums and sweet synth toots in the background.
Other tracks also show progression from other work, notably "You Don't Send Me" and the excellent "If She Wants Me"
Uber-producer Trevor Horn does not over produce, but adds lovely touches here and there.
The most accomplished and complete Belle and Sebastian album to date should please non-fans aswell as their rabid following.
Belle and Sebastian have been working hard for years now constantly churning out wholesome chunks pop goodness for the people of the world to consume at their own... Read more
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