Belle and Sebastian
"Storytelling"
(Matador)

Those of you holding your collective breaths for the latest release from Belle and Sebastian can let out a sigh. Unfortunately, a sigh of disappointment. The band has neglected much of the wit and charm for which they are famous, and opted instead for a series of ineffectual, bland musak tunes punctuated by a few mildly clever songs. They put a great deal of energy in song titles that would have been kind of cute in a smarmy sort of way if the songs actually ever paid off (i.e., 'Fuck this Shit' or 'I Don't Want to Play Football"). The only songs that approach the Belle and Sebastian of yore are the neo-hippy/folk-revivalist 'Black and White Unite,' Isobel's 'Storytelling' (which should've been sung by Stuart), the uber-happy sixties styled 'Scooby Driver,' and the album's only real standout, 'Big John Shaft.' I'm hoping that the reason this album doesn't live up to Belle and Sebastian's previous efforts is that the songs were never meant to be taken out of the context of the film for which they were written (Todd Soldonz's Storytelling), but I guess only time will tell.

-Dan

(Available in June)