CD Review: Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit - Page 2

The majority of the new album deals with the troubles and confusion of youth and a myriad of other bittersweet love issues. Some noteworthy tracks include "Act of the Apostle Part I & II," which tells the story of a high school girl and use of a biblical daydream to deal with inner turmoil and "Funny Little Frog," which tells the story of the protagonists’ obsession with the virgin mother.

The thing to understand about this album, or about Belle and Sebastian in general, is that the chief aspect is their storytelling. The band’s accompaniment and melodies contain traditional sounds and vibrant strings which serve as a guide to the lyrical mastery within each song. The songs, although enigmatic, contain musical directions to lead you in the right direction; it's as if the music itself has taken upon itself the responsibility of conveying the emotion of the stories.

The principal track that sums up this album for me is "Dress up in You." This is a wonderfully executed track which uses your preconceived notions to lead you on an emotional journey - each verse discloses more information. You go into the song with one idea of what it is about and end with an understanding of emotion, heartache, admiration and disappointment all wrapped into one. This song truly showcases the lyrical and musical abilities of the artists and the storytelling competence of the vocalist, Stuart Murdoch.

If you are a fan of Belle and Sebastian or if you like narrative lyrics with elegant musical accompaniment, this album will be a true treat for you. Though not as genre-defining as their iTunes exclusive release, If You're Feeling Sinister: Live at the Barbican, The Life Pursuit is a great addition to any fan’s B&S collection, and it is highly recommended as well for newcomers looking to expand their musical horizons.

Article Author: Ryan Seay

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